The Masters course “Power Engineering” offers unique examples of good practice with a potential for wider dissemination. Examples of good practice include
 - an innovative linkage between academia and industry,
 - an extensive programme of intercultural and interactive training for technical scientists,
 - a curriculum which directly reflects the particular research foci at BTU Cottbus.

In total it embraces an international approach with an strong links to commercial enterprises to create a strong pole of energy research, education and innovation.

This pole will develop a new type of trans-national infrastructure in power engineering. This partnership for science education will be made publicly visible and will contribute toward increasing the attractiveness of science for young adults.

The linkage between BTU Cottbus and the cooperating universities and industries entails a conscious selection of non-European applicants from countries which have rapidly growing markets for products from the field of Power Engineering. After receiving their degree, these students return to their home countries as decision makers and conceivably as international customers for the power industry. A second linkage is established by the selection of topics for the Masters thesis. Global industrial partners and utilities are invited to suggest market-relevant topics for Masters theses which could lead directly to employment opportunities for the students involved. Finally, common learning experiences will lead to cohesion in a group which has the potential to become an international network of energy experts who have an established habit of mutual cooperation. Thereby a direct link between European industries and emerging energy markets can be established.

To ensure future, lasting exchange between graduates of the Power Engineering programme and students enrolled in the programme an Alumni-network will be established.

Although intercultural training is not in itself new, the intensification of this training in the programme Power Engineering is decidedly innovative. Students from Europe as well as from non-European countries will get a deeper understanding of the different cultures and strategies in organising work processes. Beyond experiences made in day-to-day interaction students enrolled in the PE-Masters will be offered 6 weeks of training in intercultural and interactive competence.

The programme will address the specific issues and potential pitfalls of studying and working in a multicultural context. Excursions and factory visits should promote a deeper knowledge of efficiency in the energy industry. Especially the seminars in “Essential Business Skills” or “International Management” are intended to  provide students with the additional soft skills needed in business-related dealings between customer and supplier.

Furthermore this Masters programme has been consciously designed in a way that the teaching contents (modules) are a direct reflection of the university`s particular research foci. Students are thereby exposed to the “cutting edge” of ongoing research efforts throughout the programme.

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