Collaboration and Connectivity
Our department is networked regionally, nationally and internationally. A network of partners from industry, development cooperation, research and business has been established through memberships, cooperation agreements and staff initiatives. The university is networked with universities worldwide through ERASMUS and bilateral agreements. The networking profile is utilised in a number of ways: for example, to initiate Master's theses, visits on excursions, for joint projects and invitations to events, such as the annual graduation ceremony.
Our Cooperation Partners
The DAAD is the world's largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and academics.
Since it was founded in 1925, the DAAD has supported around 3 million academics in Germany and abroad. As an association, it is supported by the German universities and student bodies. The DAAD promotes the internationalisation of German universities, strengthens German studies and the German language abroad, supports countries in the Global South in establishing efficient universities and advises on education, foreign science and development policy.
The budget comes mainly from federal funds from various ministries, in particular the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the European Union, the Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation as well as from companies, organisations and foreign governments. A network of field offices, information centres, and information points maintains contact with partner countries on all continents and provides advice on site.
Our Sustainable Energy & Development (SEDev) program is an integral part of the German Association of Postgraduate Programs (AGEP) with Special Relevance to Developing Countries. AGEP facilitates connections among universities, prospective students, and various stakeholders from science, politics, administration, business, and civil society. Through collaborative efforts and additional initiatives, AGEP plays a crucial role in bolstering the global recognition of German educational programs.
With a diverse portfolio spanning over 50 German postgraduate programs, AGEP encompasses disciplines ranging from natural and engineering sciences to regional studies, environmental studies, agricultural sciences, as well as social, economic sciences, and human medicine. Despite their varied focuses, these programs share a common goal: fostering sustainable development in participants' home countries and nurturing students as catalysts for change aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Collaborate with our students
The Sustainable Energy and Development (SEDev) Master of Engineering programme is built on a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach. We collaborate with industry partners, consultancies, utilities, technology providers, public authorities, NGOs, and research organisations to address real-world challenges in sustainable energy and energy transition.
Through PBL, students work on authentic, practice-driven problems provided by our partners, applying interdisciplinary engineering, analytical, and systems-thinking skills. From Colombia to Indonesia, SEDev has collaborated with diverse organisations and communities, where partners contribute real-life cases that anchor learning in practice. This approach not only strengthens practical competencies but also fosters lifelong learning, enabling students and partners alike to continuously adapt to evolving energy challenges.
SEDev students complete their Master’s thesis as a problem-based applied research project closely aligned with industry needs in sustainable energy and development contexts. Thesis topics are typically derived from real challenges faced by partner organisations, such as system design, techno-economic analysis, energy modelling, GIS-based assessments, policy evaluation, or project feasibility studies.
- Problem definition & proposal development: begins at least 4 months in advance
- Thesis period: March to mid-August
Many partners choose to combine the Master’s thesis with an internship, allowing students to embed themselves within the organisation, work on ongoing projects, and deliver research outcomes that directly inform decision-making. This format strengthens knowledge transfer and supports talent development and recruitment.
Internships within SEDev follow a learning-by-doing philosophy, where students contribute to real projects while reflecting critically on professional practice. Interns typically support activities such as project analysis, data processing, feasibility studies, system assessments, policy research, and project development.
Internships may be offered stand-alone or integrated with a Master’s thesis, depending on organisational needs and project scope, and of course, students' interest
Case studies are short, problem-focused collaborations in which student teams work on a concrete challenge defined by a partner organisation. Using the PBL framework, students analyse the problem, explore alternative solutions, and present evidence-based recommendations within a limited timeframe.
This format is ideal for organisations seeking quick analytical insights or early-stage exploration of new ideas.
Semester projects are team-based PBL assignments embedded within SEDev courses. Partners propose real-world problems or datasets that allow students to collaboratively develop solutions using energy modelling, GIS analysis, systems thinking, and stakeholder analysis.
These projects are particularly suitable for testing concepts, assessing options, and exploring innovation pathways.
How to collaborate
Collaborating with SEDev is designed to be flexible, transparent, and mutually beneficial. The process typically involves:
- Propose an idea or challenge related to sustainable energy, energy transition, or development contexts
- Discuss scope and expectations with the SEDev coordination team
- Match the collaboration format (thesis, internship, case study, or semester project)
- Define supervision and data access in alignment with academic requirements
- Engage with students through regular feedback and exchange during the project period
We welcome both well-defined project ideas and open problem statements that allow students to explore innovative solutions.
Contact
If you are interested in collaborating with SEDev students or would like to discuss potential project ideas, we would be happy to hear from you. Please drop a line to mominul.hasan-PleaseRemoveIncludingDashes-@uni-flensburg.de to start the discussion.