The North-West University (NWU) is set to benefit from a major new international initiative following the recent approval of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master RESCO (Renewable Energy and Sustainable Construction) programme.
Prof. Ashmore Mawire, director of the Material Science, Innovation and Modelling (MaSIM) Research Focus Area, says the involvement of the NWU in RESCO marks a significant step towards strengthening internationalisation and enhancing training opportunities for local students.
“The university has been officially included as an affiliated partner, enabling our students to apply for admission and benefit from Erasmus-funded scholarships valued at approximately €1 400 per month for the duration of the programme. The NWU may also host RESCO students for internships completed during the final semester of the degree.”
Developing professionals to carry the renewable energy torch
The RESCO programme focuses on preparing engineers to design, model and manage sustainable infrastructures. Its multidisciplinary approach spans civil and structural engineering, renewable energy technologies that include solar, wind and marine systems, as well as sustainable construction. With mobility across four universities, an international internship and a research-based master’s-degree dissertation, graduates will develop technical, environmental and intercultural competencies aligned with rapidly evolving global sustainability needs.
“After graduation, students will be equipped to enter the renewable-energy construction sector, contribute to the development of new technologies, design efficient or positive-energy buildings and create low-energy solutions for the built environment,” says Prof. Ashmore.
The programme will welcome its first cohort of students in September 2026. Four cohorts in total will have the opportunity to complete the two-year degree.
The European Commission accepted RESCO for its 2025 funding call. It will run for 74 months with a budget of €4,2 million.
It is delivered through a partnership of five European universities. They are the University of A Coruña in Spain, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in Hungary, the University of Le Havre Normandie and INSA Rouen Normandie in France, and the University of Minho in Portugal. Together, these institutions offer students an integrated mobility experience across Europe, culminating in a jointly awarded degree of excellence.
As with all Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, RESCO is funded by the European Commission and brings together multiple universities to offer a single, prestigious international qualification. Students will study in at least two countries and, upon completion, receive degrees carrying the Erasmus Mundus label of excellence.
RESCO aligns with NWU’s academic strengths
According to Prof. Ashmore, the programme aligns strongly with the academic strengths of the NWU. “MaSIM brings together researchers in materials science, innovation, modelling, physics, chemistry, computer science, applied mathematics and nuclear science. Its interdisciplinary expertise, particularly in areas such as solar thermal energy and energy-storage research, positions the NWU to contribute meaningfully to RESCO’s research and training components,” he concludes. For more information, NWU students can email Prof. Ashmore at ashmore.mawire@nwu.ac.za or contact Vincent.cruder@insa-rouen.fr or Julia.laffitte-louisou@insa-rouen.fr.
