The new master's program Materials & Energy Transition (MET) van Avans University of Applied Sciences seems likely to start in September 2024. The Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization has taken a positive decision. This means that students can officially register via Studielink in mid-April.
Teacher-researchers Ad Breukel, Michiel Michels and Mertijn Weeda are part of the training team. They welcome the developments. Ad: “A course like this did not exist before.”
“The MET master trains students to become young professionals with an understanding of technology, who will give concrete shape to the materials and energy transition,” says Ad. “Students will soon be able to understand the complexity of this, with technical, business and social aspects. They can soon really contribute to a better, sustainable world.”
Need from the field
Why is Avans going to offer this master's program? Ad explains: “Such training did not yet exist, while the field has a great need for these professionals. With this course we respond to this and offer bachelor students who are looking for more depth the opportunity to progress.”
Avans is also a leader in the Netherlands in terms of knowledge in the field of biomaterials, says Mertijn. “Particularly within the Center of Expertise MNEXT, which is also responsible for the content of the master. And the Academy for Life Sciences and Technology has everything in-house to take care of the implementation. We also expect a lot from the synergy with future master's programs. For example, the development of a master's degree in the field of AI, an important driver of these transitions.”
Young professional from day 1
The material and energy transition are inextricably linked, Michiel explains. “Material production accounts for more than half of energy consumption worldwide. Smart use of materials can therefore prevent a lot of energy consumption. Consider the use of bioplastics, a sustainable alternative to fossil raw materials.” Mertijn adds: “Conversely, the energy transition requires materials, such as for home batteries, solar panels and wind turbines.”
“The training lasts 2 years,” says Ad. “1 year in Breda, 1 year in practice. Each quarter has its own theme: science & technology, materials, energy and transition. Students learn about advanced technical-scientific solutions for the materials and energy transition. They are also young professionals from day 1: in addition to being consumers, they are also producers of knowledge. They learn to collaborate interdisciplinary and belong to the MET community, which organizes weekly activities such as lectures by guest speakers, workshops and excursions.”
Different from a university master's degree
The program is in English. A conscious choice, Michiel explains. “The transition does not stop at the border: many systems are transnational, such as our electricity network, with all kinds of foreign stakeholders. In addition, there is increasing guidance from Brussels, where English is the main language. Professional practice also requires professionals who are familiar with this language. Finally, much essential literature is in English, as are all kinds of informative YouTube channels.”
How does this HBO master's degree differ from a master's degree at a technical university? Ad: “At a TU, technology and knowledge development is central, while direct social impact is the goal of our master's degree. This may require theoretical knowledge, but also a business case for scaling up existing technology. In addition, TUs are working on the technology of tomorrow, but with today's technology you can make a big impact in the short term. In addition, at TUs you often see extensive individual guidance in the final phase, where at Avans we pay attention from the start to who you are and who you want to become.”
Plenty of career prospects
There are also similarities, Ad indicates. “The master teaches you to think and work at a higher level of abstraction than you were used to in your bachelor's degree, in longer and more complex projects. Considerable attention is also paid to the essential science behind the transition, such as the Second Law of Thermodynamics or the inherent material losses during recycling. And not unimportant: with both courses you can use the title Master of Science.”
According to Michiel, students who will soon graduate can go in any direction. “Wherever the transition takes place: within small or large companies, at governments or organizations such as the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij. The professional field was also closely involved in the development of the master's degree and is really waiting for students who take on the role of transition maker. For example, as a project leader, R&D employee or innovator in any role. And thanks to the English language, they can go outside the Netherlands.”
Solid base
And the long-term perspective? Michiel: “There is a lot to do during the transition, so you will not quickly find yourself without work. In the long term you will grow from an executive and coordinating role to a managerial and strategic role. Your work will most likely always be characterized by interdisciplinarity and impact, with attention to energy and materials. You can always continue to rely on the solid foundation of technical science that this master gives you.”
First class of students
Emma Klerks and Valentin Contin are both interested in possibly belonging to the first group of students for the Master's degree in Materials & Energy Transition.
Emma: “In recent years there has been growing awareness in the media about increasing global warming, mainly caused by the widespread use of unsustainable materials and energy sources. I am motivated to actively contribute to tackling these challenges. I have had a deep interest in the energy transition throughout my school career and am consistently looking for sustainable solutions.”
Valentin adds: “I like that the emphasis is on uniting material and energy study themes. I once worked for a company that developed a pyrolysis reactor, which processes discarded plastics. Basic petrochemical components and gas for energy generation are recovered. Material and energy were also closely linked.”
“Furthermore, scaling up proof-of-concept technologies to industrial capacity is not a simple multiplication. A viable business case is only possible by accounting for materials and energy. This is the kind of knowledge I want to further develop, because these topics are relevant in every sector of the industry.”
Source: Avans University of Applied Sciences
