With the increasing urgency of global climate change and the need for immediate action to reduce emissions, numerous agreements and regulations have been established. The energy and transport sectors are recognized as key players in emission reduction efforts. One essential solution is the reconfiguration of power production, drive trains, and propulsion systems. However, transitioning away from century-old technologies, such as internal combustion engines and gas turbine-powered aircraft, requires significant effort. One promising approach in the transport sector, particularly in aviation, is electrification through hybrid-electric propulsion systems. This emerging technology necessitates expertise from multiple scientific fields, including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and aerospace engineering.

To meet this emerging demand, we at Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) have developed a new international master’s program focused on Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Technology (HEPT). This program targets graduates from electrical, mechanical, and aerospace engineering backgrounds, offering an integrated curriculum that bridges knowledge gaps and supports interdisciplinary collaboration.

The design and implementation of the program followed a multi-step approach:
1. Needs Assessment. According to the experience of the program leaders and cooperation with multiple industrial partners, e.g., Rolls Royce, the need for training engineering in this interdisciplinary field was analyzed and the key competencies and knowledge areas are identified.
2. Curriculum Design. A modular curriculum was developed combining foundational and specialized courses.
3. Pedagogical Integration: The program uses a pedagogical integration approach by combining traditional lectures with interactive and practice-based learning formats. Research-oriented modules, lab work, teamwork, seminars, and presentations are strategically interconnected to complement each other.
4. Implementation and Feedback: The program’s pilot cohorts were closely monitored through student evaluations, academic performance data, and feedback from teaching staff and industry partners.
5. Mentorship. Since the program is interdisciplinary and addressing a developing technology, a close mentorship is planned for every student during their study.
Challenges, among all: Official procedure, Review process of the applications (more than 1500 applicants in the first round), Interdisciplinarity.

Conclusion:
So far, it is indicated that the program successfully attracts a diverse student body and developed a strong interdisciplinary learning environment. Students from varying academic backgrounds are able to meaningfully contribute to collaborative study projects, demonstrating the feasibility and value of cross-disciplinary education in this field. However, challenges remain, particularly in harmonizing prerequisite knowledge levels and ensuring balanced integration of content from the two main disciplines. This report initiative offers insights for other institutions looking to develop similar programs. Key lessons include the importance of adaptive teaching strategies, early industry engagement, and flexible course design to accommodate a range of student profiles. The full paper will provide detailed insights into the implementation steps, the challenges encountered, how they were addressed, and the lessons learned.

Keywords: Higher Education, M.Sc, program, Interdisciplinary, International.