Around 30 DAAD Alumni from across Africa and Europe, together with students from Hochschule RheinMain University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSRM), came together in Mozambique with one shared goal: advancing sustainable bamboo construction while contributing to the development of future educational programs.
From 25 September to 4 October, a delegation from HSRM travelled to Mozambique as part of a DAAD Alumni Seminar. Combining research, hands-on construction and intercultural exchange, the program offered students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting while contributing to the development of a future Bamboo Training Centre in southern Mozambique.
The HSRM delegation included 14 students, Professors Sascha Luippold and Christina Jagsch, Carolin Kaus from the Office for International Affairs, and research associate Sarah Mesz. Together with the DAAD Alumni and professionals from universities, NGOs and public institutions, they collaborated on developing educational concepts for sustainable bamboo construction.
From Research to Practice
A key objective of the workshop was to further test a bamboo construction kit previously designed at HSRM. After learning the fundamentals of bamboo construction, participants tested a newly developed picture-based construction manual under real field conditions.
The findings will contribute to the ongoing development of the curriculum and training materials for the planned Bamboo Training Centre in southern Mozambique, supporting future education in sustainable construction using locally available renewable materials.
Learning Through Collaboration
To explore the entire bamboo value chain, participants worked in three thematic groups, bringing together HSRM students, DAAD Alumni and representatives from local NGOs and partner organizations.
Together, the three groups demonstrated how renewable materials can support climate-resilient development from cultivation to construction.
Bamboo Construction Workshop
The bamboo construction workshop was the central contribution of HSRM to the DAAD Alumni Seminar. Following an introduction to bamboo as a construction material, participants learned essential craftsmanship techniques. Each topic combined theoretical input with practical exercises, allowing participants to become familiar with the material and its construction methods.
The workshop served two purposes: it introduced participants to bamboo construction while simultaneously evaluating and improving the construction manual. The insights gained during the field study will contribute to the ongoing development of future training materials and the curriculum for the planned Bamboo Training Centre in southern Mozambique.
An International Learning Experience
The seminar began at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo with lectures, discussions and networking opportunities. Experts from UN-Habitat, IOM, the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and other partner organisations shared perspectives on sustainable construction, climate adaptation and international cooperation.
The program combined expert lectures, practical training and field visits, giving participants the opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.
The practical workshop then continued in Ponta do Ouro. One of the first activities was a visit to the bamboo plantation of Paulino Botao, HSRM lecturer and long-standing project partner. Building on these impressions, the teaching team introduced the fundamentals of bamboo grading and material selection.
Beyond the workshop, students also experienced Mozambique's unique natural and cultural environment.
"The workshop showed that sustainable construction is about much more than building with renewable materials. It is about bringing people together, learning from one another and combining different perspectives to develop solutions that are both locally appropriate and globally relevant."
Jonathan Neulen, Tutor of the Seminar Series
More Than a Study Trip
For the participating HSRM students, the seminar combined academic learning with practical experience and international collaboration. Working alongside DAAD Alumni, researchers and practitioners from different countries provided valuable insights into sustainable construction in diverse social and environmental contexts.
Beyond developing technical skills, participants strengthened their intercultural competence, teamwork and ability to work across disciplines.
A Strong International Partnership
The seminar was made possible through the collaboration of an extensive international network of universities, NGOs and development organizations. Project partners included Hochschule RheinMain, Weltweit e.V., Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, ASSAMBA, INGD, EDEN Reforestation Projects, Carbono Local+, Ayuda en Acción, 101 Bamboo Solutions and BAGACeira.
[AI was used as a tool in the writing process.]
