ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Trier University of Applied Sciences represented by the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS) in co-operation with
Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf

organize the
DAAD Alumni Special Project 2021 and 2022 in the framework of the International Circular Economy Conference 2021 (online) and 2022 (in situ)

Dates of the seminars:

September 2021 – September 2022: Virtual Programme, including the digital International Circular Economy Conference, October 2021
October 17 – 23, 2022: Programme Week at the German Partner Universities Campus (in situ)
October 24 – 28, 2022: International Circular Economy Week 2022 (in situ)

Seminar Aims

The International Circular Economy Week (ICEW) is a dedicated knowledge-event annually organized by the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS); an institute of the Trier University of Applied Sciences, that provides the opportunity to its global partners to share with the international community the experiences, expertise, knowledge, and achievements in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, integrated sustainable (water) resource management and green growth strategies. It also serves as a premier platform connecting global leaders and like-minded professionals in respective domains.

The Institute for Applied Material Flow Management is located at the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld, which is Europe’s premier Zero-Emission campus and also the #1 Green Campus in Germany (UI Green Metric Ranking 2020: greenmetric.ui.ac.id). As a university-based not-for-profit institute, IfaS’ main objective is to integrate and strengthen sustainable systems at communal and regional levels of national, EU, and international scales. IfaS is among the very few institutions that successfully apply regional material and energy flow management (also known as MFM) assisting industries, communities, regions and countries in developing Zero-Emission and Circular Economy concepts by analysing, mobilising, optimising and developing new and innovative material, energy, and finance flows. IfaS is at the forefront in this domain for nearly two decades and works in more than 70 countries on five continents.

The vast experience, expertise, and the trove of knowledge are opened annually to the public at the ICEW where business managers, (non-)governmental representatives, technology service providers, and scientists meet to discuss the latest technological advancements and managerial developments appropriate to develop, implement, and also to teach/disseminate far-reaching sustainable strategies such as Bio-Economy and Circular Economy. The ICEW consists of technology site visits (TSVs) to innovative best-available-technologies sites in Germany demonstrating various waste-to-resource (e.g. biochar production from greenery residues), waste-to-energy (e.g. sewage sludge and bio-waste to biogas), energy autarky wastewater treatment as well as a wide range of energy efficiency and renewable energy applications. The TSVs facilitate one-on-one discussions with technology service providers to provide first-hand information on the technology and their economic aspects. This also aims at promoting leading-edge German environmental solutions and strategies around the world.

The pinnacle of the ICEW is the International Circular Economy Conference (ICEC) that provides an interdisciplinary forum to address the latest developments in the targeted domains. ICEC also provides the opportunity to establish new networks among policymakers, technology service providers, financing institutions, and research organisations and exchange their practical experiences in broad areas including Bio-Economy and Circular Economy.

The DAAD Alumni Special Project in the framework of ICEW and ICEC runs for 18 months (from June 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022) and includes a number of events including the virtual International Circular Economy Conference 2021 (likely to take place on October 28, 2021), a series of online seminars, and the International Circular Economy Week 2022 (likely to take place in the calendar week 43 of 2022, subjected to the future dynamics of the current global pandemic.)

The partnering three German Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (Trier University of Applied Sciences)
Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU)
University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT)

will offer a series of individual online seminars cantered on their respective research priorities during the project period. And, the partner HEIs will also offer a preparatory training seminar immediately prior to the ICEW in 2022.

Based on the personal preference, the applicant must decide upon one (01) particular HEI s/he wishes to join and cannot submit an application each to all three HEIs. However, within the application, the applicants are encouraged to confirm a second programme preference.

The seminar and trade fair visit are offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in the framework of the programme Alumni Special Projects. The costs will be mainly covered by funds from the DAAD provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Tentative Programme: DAAD Alumni Special Project ICEW 2021 – 2022

The DAAD Alumni Special Project in the framework of International Circular Economy Week includes:

1. 2021 – 2022: A series of online training and networking seminars based on the research strengths / specialities of the three German Higher Education Institutions. The individual online seminars of the three HEIs are primarily designed for the respective group of participants at each HEI’s preparatory programme. However, participants of the other HEIs preparatory programmes are allowed to take part in any subject-specific online seminar(s) as passive observers. In addition, the joint online seminars of the three HEIs are offered with the aim to foster the networking opportunities among the participants.

2. October 2022: In situ preparatory programme (training seminars) at the three German HEIs. In the week leading up to the International Circular Economy Week 2022, the participating HEIs will conduct various preparatory seminars coupled with thematic excursions as supplemental events for their participants at the respective university locations.

3. October 2022: Participation at the International Circular Economy Week 2022. Participants of all preparatory programmes will jointly participate in the International Circular Economy Week 2022 at the Environmental Campus in Birkenfeld, which is expected to take place in calendar week 43, 2022. The exact programme of the ICEW 2022 will be announced by May, 2022.

It is necessary to participate in the whole programme of the selected HEI: online seminar series of selected HEI in 2021 and 2022, preparatory programme week in October 2022 at the partner campus of the selected HEI and International Circular Economy Week 2022 at the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld.

A Special Note: Alternative Programme in 2022

Given the current global pandemic, associated uncertainty and its future dynamics, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) may have to decide to replace the in situ event in 2022 with an online alternative. This would imply modifications to the programme in year 2022, which will be announced to participants presumably not later than May 2022. If that worst case scenario will arise, an alternative programme to replace the designated onsite events in October 2022 will be created to provide the participants the missing knowledge contents in digital manner.

Eligibility Criteria for Participation

This seminar targets international Alumni of German universities

from countries listed on the DAC list of ‘developing’ countries,
who carried out research or studied in Germany for at least 3 months, and
who are currently living and working in their home countries.

The applicant:
(1) has a proven background in the academic fields relevant to the specialising topics of the three HEIs:

Specialising profile and topics of focus of the preparatory programme of the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS), Trier University of Applied Sciences (HT): integrated (water) resource management, renewable energies and energy efficiency, GHG accounting at national, regional, industrial level, community development, green buildings and sustainable construction, international climate policy and finance (including MRV design, CDM-NAMA-LEDS project development.
Specialising profile and topics of focus of the preparatory programme of Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg): International Environmental Law, Climate Policy, Environmental Planning, Impact Assessment, Eco-system-based adaptation, Environmental Communications – Climate Communication, Economy and project management, Education for sustainable development – focus Environmental Education, Natural Resource Management, Life Cycle Assessment, and citizen science. In addition to the above, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg would like to also bring relevant research topics such as digital transformation into the above thematic areas through question answer sessions and panel discussions.
Specialising profile and topics of focus of the preparatory programme of University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT): Renewable energies, technology of solar energy with photovoltaics and solar thermal, bioenergy with biogas and biomass, small scaled applications like e.g. solar home systems, sustainable agriculture, agricultural economics.

(2) with respect to the topics mentioned in (1), the applicant has adequate professional experience, personal interest and has practical experience in project development, industry, government agencies, NGOs, local communities, and competence in applied research in academia and industry,
(3) will act as a potential multiplier in transmitting the seminar results, will actively disseminate the acquired knowledge and will help develop innovative ideas and projects in her/his home country,
(4) has adequate English language proficiency which is essential to actively participate in the events (online seminars, workshops, discussions, seminars in situ, etc.) as the programmes’ working language will be English.

Eligibility of the repeated / returning attendees at DAAD Alumni Special Projects: participation at the Alumni Special Projects is limited to a maximum of two participations within a period of four years. To this end, the year of participation (not the year of application), will be considered in the decision process.
The applicants are allowed to submit just one application to the prioritized HEI. However, within the application, the applicants are encouraged to confirm a second seminar / HEI preference – which might be respected if the capacities at the second choice HEI allows for.

Coverage of Costs

International return air ticket to and from Frankfurt International Airport [FRA] (Munich, Berlin) NOTE: economy class airfare, of which, the lowest possible shall be considered.
Local airport transit to the chosen HEI location and the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld (and from ECB to airport)
International travel and health insurance (subjected to a maximum of EUR 30,00) and the costs of procuring a visa to the Federal Republic of Germany
The costs of accommodation and meals during the stay at the respective HEIs during the preparatory seminar and the ICEW 2022 (accommodation shall be provided on a full-board basis)
All costs of transport for excursions during the preparatory programmes and ICEW 2022
ICEW participation fee

NOTE: All other costs such as the costs of transportation in your domicile, e.g. travel between your home and the local airport, any and all costs of visa procurement (except the exact visa fee), any and all other documentation and administration fees, etc. must be borne by yourself.

Any extension to your stay before and after the seminar is only possible up to five working days and requires the submission of a comparison of airfare before you start your journey. Any difference between the airfares for the official inbound/outbound date(s) (see below) and the actual date of travel before/after the extension must be borne by you. You yourself must also cover any additional travel costs, subsistence costs and/or other additional costs not stated here pertinent to your extension of stay.
Extensions of stay beyond five days must be of an official nature, for which, justification is required (e.g. visits to universities, organizations, institutions, companies, etc.) indicating the details about contact person(s) and a detailed daily plan of activities/programme of activities. In addition, these extensions must be approved by DAAD before the start of your travel. The decision by DAAD is final, non-negotiable and is made on an individual basis, based on your justification, the programme, etc.
IMPORTANT: Accommodation, meals, and all other logistics pertinent to your extended stay must be organised by yourself, and, as required by the EU regulations, you must possess valid health insurance for the entire duration of your stay (including the extension). It is a must that you participate in the entire programme from the first day of the preparatory programme of the respective HEI until the last day of ICEW 2022.

Application Procedure

Your application should emphasize your motivation and the professional/personal benefit. You should clearly and concisely illustrate how you plan to disseminate the gained knowledge during the programme in your domicile and what possible stakeholders you may reach out to for further collaboration in your professional career.

To apply for the program of Trier University of Applied Sciences, DAAD Alumni Special Project for ICEW 2021 & 2022, please fill out and submit this online application (applications are closed). Additionally, your application – fully written in the English language – must include the following documents combined into one single.pdf file:

a synoptic CV with a photograph and relevant documentation of the Alumni status
a short abstract on your cooperation / research interest and underlying motivation / expectations to attend the DAAD Alumni Special Project
a concise description of your present duties / position held and your personal professional goals, indicating your envisaged field of activities
an overview on DAAD sponsored seminars, workshops or conferences visited in Germany after finishing your studies in Germany.

The PDF-document should be named: ‘Last name_First name_Country’ (e.g. Mustermann_Mara_Germany).
NOTE: The completeness of your application and the personal data mentioned in the online application form will affect your eligibility as a participant.
Please submit your online application and your application document, as a single.pdf file, no later than 15th July 2021. Documents can either be uploaded on the application platform or sent by email to: ed.supmac-tlewmu@WECI-inmula.

After the review of your application by the selected HEIs and DAAD, the eligible participants will be notified by the end of July 2021.
For further questions regarding your application, please contact Ms. Aurélie Kono: ed.supmac-tlewmu@WECI-inmula, +49 (0) 6782 17 2603.

To apply for the other two HEI programs:
Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) application is available here.
For further questions, please contact: Mr. Niyanta Shetye: ed.ut-b@eytehs.atnayin, +49 (0) 355 69 2033.

University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT) application is available on this page.
For further questions, please contact: Ms. Katja Krauter: ed.twsh@retuark.ajtak, +49 (0) 9826 654-331.

Birkenfeld, 31st May 2021,