Qualifying Engineers in Water, Environmental and Civil Engineering
Welcome to the website of the "Qualifying Engineers in Water, Environmental, and Civil Engineering" project, abbreviated as QEGWEC. This initiative is part of the DAAD's "Profi Plus" funding program under the Campus Initiative for International Professionals. It is designed to help individuals with foreign university degrees in water, environmental, and civil engineering enter the German labor market more easily.
Apply at qegwec@wubs.h2.de
Goals
The planned course offerings for the entry of international academics aim to provide participants with the opportunity to acquire important skills in both professional and intercultural aspects, and to master the German language at the highest possible level as a crucial foundation for successful integration into the labor market.
The job entry network, which will be built from existing partnerships and practical contacts within the framework of the project, will initially serve the regional labor market. However, it will be continuously expanded and, particularly through relevant professional association contacts, will have a long-term nationwide impact.
The following project outcomes are therefore targeted: Approximately 90 project participants will have earned the university certificate, demonstrating professional competence in the fields of water management, environmental engineering, or civil engineering, as well as skills in collaboration, workplace communication, and, notably, the German language. This university certificate, in conjunction with the internationally acquired degree, forms the basis for entering the German labor market. Additionally, a job entry network, particularly for international academics and graduates of H2, will have been established, which will operate and facilitate placements on a nationwide level.
Information for Participants
Who is the Program For?
What to Expect
Program Start
Advantages
Fees
Application
Structure/Course Content
The program consists of two phases. It begins with a 3-month online phase, during which participants receive an intensive introduction to the German language and attend various specialized courses in the fields of water, environmental, and civil engineering. In addition to language and technical knowledge, intercultural and interpersonal skills are crucial for working in Germany. Therefore, various soft skills courses will be conducted in online formats.
Following the successful completion of the online phase, the on-site phase begins, which lasts a total of 2 months. During this time, participants will undertake company visits, interdisciplinary projects, and an internship with a potential employer.
German as a Foreign Language (DaF) courses
Onlinepart
The online language course is conducted by the German University Online (DUO) and begins with 70 hours of intensive instruction in the first month. The language level to be achieved varies depending on the participants' starting proficiency in German, but the goal is to reach a specific level within this month.
Following the first month, there is a two-month intermediate course with 52 hours of instruction per month. During this period, another language level is to be achieved. Again, the target language level will be adjusted according to the participants' starting point.
The entire online phase mainly consists of self-learning units, supported by regular meetings with an experienced tutor.
On Site
After the completion of the online phase, the on-site phase in Germany begins. During this time, German language skills will also be further practiced and developed. To facilitate this, a German course will be held in person at the Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal during the interdisciplinary project work.
No official German courses from the program will take place during the internship
field-specific courses
The specialized courses cover the following topics:
- Water management
- Civil engineering
- Economics and law for engineers
civil engineering
Objective of the course:
- Introduction to building construction, civil engineering, and road construction in Germany
- Learning the relevant laws and standards for these construction areas (e.g., DIN, VOB, HOAI)
- Introduction to the key stakeholders in the various sectors of building construction, civil engineering, and road construction
water management
Objective of the course:
- Introduction to drinking water supply, wastewater disposal, and flood protection in Germany
- Learning the relevant laws (TrinkwV, KARL, HWRM-RL) and standards (DIN, DVGW, DWA) in Germany
- Introduction to the key stakeholders in the various sectors of water management
Economics and Law for Engineers
Objective of the course:
- Fundamentals of construction management
- Internal and external accounting
- Calculation of construction projects
- HOAI / Billing of planning services
- Introduction to the German legal system
- Constitutional law
- Administrative law
- Civil law
- Criminal law
Soft Skill Courses
Health and Safety in Germany
The course content includes:
- Introduction to German Occupational Health and Safety Law
- Understanding the roles of employers and employees in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
- Safe behavior on construction and engineering sites
- Safety equipment requirements in Germany
- Working hours and regulations in Germany
- Environmental law and its impact on engineering projects
- Integration of health, safety, and environmental standards
- Conclusion and best practices in German Occupational Health and Safety
Environmental protection and sustainability
The course content includes:
- Introduction to sustainability
- Focus on sufficiency and
- circular economy
- 5R principle
- Rainwater management in the city as a topic in the context of climate adaptation
- Unsealing of surfaces
- Rewetting of moors - context of CO2 emissions and water levels
- Climate adaptation Example of dealing with heat in the city (strategies, concepts, examples)
- Energy transition in the neighborhood - heat and electricity solutions
Rhetoric and presenting
The course content includes:
- understand the theoretical and practical foundations of effective presenting, including research, planning, and execution
- learn how to structure presentations and use language and body language effectively
- gain insights into the use of digital and traditional media to support their presentations
- receive direct feedback on their presentation skills with an emphasis on identifying both weaknesses and potential strengths
Time and project management
The course content includes:
- understand what a project is and what entails effective project management
- learn and apply various time management techniques
- learn how to create effective schedules by thinking from the goal backwards
- explore the use of text-based AI in project management with practical exercises using ChatGPT
- discover how to use modern project management tools like Trello and Perplexity, and employ collaborative online platforms such as Miro and Flinga for real-time project planning and tracking
Application training
The course content includes:
- Master CV and Cover Letter Writing: Learn how to craft a professional CV and cover letter tailored to the German job market.
- Interview Preparation: Gain insights into common interview questions and effective strategies to make a strong impression.
- Understand Employer Expectations: Get to know what German employers look for and how to align your application with their expectations.
- Showcase Your Skills: Learn techniques to effectively present your technical and soft skills in applications and interviews.
- Avoid Common Pitfalls: Identify and avoid common mistakes that can hinder your job application process.
Practical projects
Interdisciplinary project
As part of the interdisciplinary project, our participants work in groups within a protected environment at our university to address various questions in the fields of water management and construction. They apply both the knowledge acquired through the QEGWEC program and their academic expertise from their studies. The results are presented in the form of a report and a presentation, which are then evaluated.
Internship
Flyer
This project is funded by
Funding Line: "Profi Plus" - Academic Adjustment Qualification for the German Labor Market
Approval Period: April 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028
