IMP-EGH — International Master’s Programme in Energy and Green Hydrogen Technology

Overview

Tracks 4 and 5 are both hosted at Université Félix Houphouët Boigny (UFHB) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in partnership with RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany. Students in both tracks follow the same pathway for Semesters 1 and 2 at Université Abdou Moumouni in Niamey, Niger, before moving to Abidjan for their Semester 3 specialisation modules at UFHB.

Both tracks focus on the engineering and technological dimensions of the green hydrogen value chain, with Track 4 emphasising natural resource assessment and renewable energy generation from wind and water, and Track 5 focusing on hydrogen production processes, storage and deployment technologies.

Track Comparison

Shared Learning Objectives

Graduates of both specialisations will be able to:

• Apply fundamental principles of physics, electrochemistry and thermodynamics to renewable energy conversion and green hydrogen systems.
• Analyse present-day energy infrastructure in West Africa, its strengths and weaknesses, and identify pathways towards sustainable alternatives.
• Evaluate the role of green hydrogen in the energy transition, including production routes, storage solutions and power-to-X applications.
• Assess the techno-economic viability of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in the West African context.
• Engage with energy policy frameworks and propose evidence-based recommendations for sustainable energy system development in the ECOWAS region.
• Conduct independent research and defend a master’s thesis before a joint international evaluation committee.

Programme Structure

Both tracks span 5 semesters (120 ECTS). Semesters 1 and 2 are held at Université Abdou Moumouni in Niamey, Niger (shared with all IMP-EGH tracks). Semester 3 specialisation modules are delivered at UFHB in Abidjan. Students then move to RWTH Aachen University for Semester 4 before completing their master’s thesis in Semester 5.

* Semester 3 modules differ by track. Track 4 and Track 5 students follow their respective specialisation modules at UFHB before converging again at their German institution for Semester 4.

Curriculum

The curriculum comprises 5 semesters of structured academic work, including taught courses, lab activities, field visits, and interaction with industry and policy stakeholders across three countries (Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, Germany). Semester 4 at their German institution. University offers access to advanced courses and world-class research infrastructure. The programme concludes with an independent master’s thesis defended before a joint evaluation committee from UFHB and RWTH Aachen University / Forschungszentrum Jülich.