Last week, Hochschule RheinMain (RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, HSRM) welcomed a delegation from its partner university Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Rüsselsheim and Wiesbaden. The six-member delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Erold Naomab arrived in Rüsselsheim on Wednesday to deepen collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering in the field of hydrogen.

The visit started with two company tours, first to Honda. The delegation was received by high-ranking company representatives such as Honda’s Vice President. The NUST team then took a ride on a hydrogen bus provided by the Winzenhöler bus company and witnessed its refueling at an Infraserv Höchst hydrogen filling station. Afterwards, Segula Technologies opened its doors and presented to the visitors, among other things, a test stand for fuel cells, a virtual battery storage as well as further components of an infrastructure for the use of hydrogen. The universities have points of contact with the company in the areas of testing and software development. Both companies were open to collaboration and to offering internships for students, and were pleased about the exchange with representatives of a future hydrogen partner of Germany.

Guided tour and exchange at the Rüsselsheim Campus

On Thursday morning, Prof. Dr. Andreas Brensing, Vice-President for Research, Transfer and Sustainability, and Prof. Dr. Christian Glockner, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, welcomed Dr. Naomab and his team to the Rüsselsheim Campus. Prof. Dr. Birgit Scheppat gave the delegation a tour of the Hydrogen Technology and Energy Storage Laboratory. The professor of hydrogen and fuel cell technology was pleased that the guests were able to experience all aspects necessary for the introduction of hydrogen in a country. In the future, she would like to “build an alliance in cooperation with our partner university Namibia University of Science and Technology, which focuses on the topics of hydrogen and fuel cell technology for young engineers. It allows us to use our knowledge together and apply it in practice.”

“Come to this university”

After arriving in Wiesbaden, President Prof. Dr. Eva Waller welcomed Dr. Naomab and his colleagues at the Kurt-Schumacher-Ring Campus. “I am very pleased to welcome you to Hochschule RheinMain. Collaborations like ours thrive on genuine exchange,” says Prof. Dr. Waller. The joy was mutual: “Just like Professor Waller, I've been in this office for about two and a half years,” Dr. Naomab said during the round of introductions. “My colleagues told me that I absolutely have to come to this university when I leave the country for a trip. I am very happy to be here.” The visit was concluded by a joint lunch and a visit by representatives of the LEA Hessen (State Energy Agency of Hesse) after intensive discussions focusing on a possible double master’s program and a postgraduate program in the field of green hydrogen.

About NUST

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) based in Namibia’s capital Windhoek, is the country’s second state university next to the University of Namibia. Around 16,500 students are currently enrolled at a total of four faculties, more than 800 of whom come from abroad. At the Hochschule RheinMain, NUST collaborates with the Faculties of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Design Computer Science Media and Engineering.