The Erasmus Mundus Master’s programme EMINENT opens its doors to up to 35 motivated students from across Europe and beyond to explore cutting-edge nanotechnology education. Students are encouraged to submit their applications via the programme’s official website until 31 March 2024. Students form the Schengen area that do not need to apply for Visa can even submit their application until 12 April 2024. A selection committee will evaluate all submissions, and chosen candidates will start their educational journey by early October 2024.
Participants will have the opportunity to study at at least two different universities, qualifying for a scholarship of 1,400€. This financial support is available for the full duration of the two-year programme for students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. However, students who are not awarded the scholarship can still partake in the programme, although they will need to self-finance their studies.
About the Embedded Intelligence Nanosystems Engineering (EMINENT) study programme
Recently, ATHENA presented the new joint Erasmus Mundus Master’s programme – Embedded Intelligence Nanosystems Engineering (EMINENT). Set to commence in October 2024, EMINENT exemplifies ATHENA’s commitment to innovative and collaborative education, offering courses across four leading European universities.
This programme is developed by four ATHENA members – the University of Siegen, the University of Orléans, the Hellenic Mediterranean University and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, together with the NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal) as an external partner.
What will students learn?
The programme is divided into five distinct segments, each delivered by the participating universities alongside guest lecturers from leading companies and organisations in the nanotechnology sector. From exploring functional materials in Greece to diving into the intricacies of sensors, devices, and embedded systems in Germany, the curriculum is both diverse and comprehensive.
The EMINENT programme will also feature specialised winter and summer schools, offering students unparalleled opportunities to engage in creative workshops and network with industry experts.
In their second year, students will be able to select from five advanced study tracks, culminating in a master’s thesis on their chosen subject. Successful defence of this thesis will earn them a joint master’s degree in engineering, equipping graduates with the expertise to produce and integrate advanced, eco-friendly nanomaterials into cutting-edge nanodevices.
EMINENT aims to spearhead Europe’s evolution from a primary consumer of digital technology to a global frontrunner and provider of Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber-physical system technologies. Over two years, the curriculum is designed to impart comprehensive knowledge and skills in nanomaterials, nano-production technologies for smart devices, and sensors tailored for cyber-physical systems and IoT solutions. This ambition is further underscored by the programme’s international AQAS accreditation, a testament to its adherence to the highest standards of quality in higher education.
The curriculum, spanning two years, will see students traverse from Vilnius to Lisbon, engaging in semester-long academic stays at different European institutions. The learning language will be English.
Nanotechnologies – inseparable from sustainability
Nanotechnology is inseparably linked with sustainability, a principle that the programme’s architects heavily emphasise. Addressing future challenges in energy management, recycling, and production will heavily rely on smart sensor technologies, promising more efficient resource utilisation and significant reductions in carbon footprints. Only through leveraging advanced smart devices and sensor technologies can the industrial shifts towards carbon-neutral production and smart grids be realised, necessitating a new cadre of highly skilled professionals trained through this programme.
