The seminar brought together doctoral candidates and faculty from the Technical University of Munich and SEED partner universities across Africa and the wider Global South: Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya), Makerere University (Uganda), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India), Institut Teknologi Bandung (Indonesia), and Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru).
A Program Designed for Academic Depth and Joint Research
The research seminar combined disciplinary and interdisciplinary sessions across SEED’s core focus areas: sustainable energies, entrepreneurship, and policy. Through workshops, thematic seminars, and structured discussions, participants aligned research questions, explored synergies across institutions, and strengthened interdisciplinary perspectives contributing to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy for all.
Key elements of the program included:
- Disciplinary and interdisciplinary seminars and workshops
- A poster exposition presenting doctoral research projects
- Research tandem meetings between doctoral candidates and supervisory teams
- Dedicated skills sessions on academic publishing and research strategy
- Site visits and applied sessions linking research themes to practice
These formats created space not only for academic exchange, but also for concrete planning of joint publications, collaborative research proposals, and future fieldwork.
Research & Impact: Panel Discussion and Networking Across Continents
A dedicated “Research & Impact” session brought together doctoral researchers, supervisors, and exchange students for a panel discussion followed by a networking event.
The session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Frank-Martin Belz (Director, TUM SEED Center) and featured Dr. Alessia Argiolas (TUM SEED Center), Nitin Akhade (Technical University of Munich), Dr. Francis Mujuni (Makerere University), Manikanta Radhakrishna (Technical University of Munich), and Sally Raduk (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology).
The panel addressed how interdisciplinary research can respond to pressing global challenges. Speakers reflected on their current projects, methodological approaches, and the realities of conducting research in diverse institutional and regional contexts. The conversation highlighted the long-term relevance of academic work for strengthening infrastructure systems, improving resource governance, and contributing to sustainable development at the local level.
The discussion continued in an open networking format, where participants exchanged experiences on doctoral supervision, joint publications, and exchange opportunities. The session underscored the importance of two-way academic mobility and long-term institutional partnerships between TUM and its partner universities, with a focus on collaborations supported by the SEED network.
Building a Cohort and a Network
Beyond the academic program, the seminar created valuable space for informal exchange and community building. Shared activities and discussions strengthened trust across institutions and reinforced the SEED network’s collaborative spirit.
As one of the key starting points of the doctoral journey, the Research Seminar lays the foundation for sustained cooperation across continents and disciplines, advancing SEED’s mission to develop socially relevant solutions and strengthen sustainable development partnerships worldwide.