International research thrives on collaboration across borders and disciplines. How scientific partnerships evolve into new ideas and long-term collaborations was recently demonstrated during Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Kiesel’s visit to Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

At the invitation of his research collaborator Prof. Mesias Alfeus, Prof. Kiesel spent several days at one of Africa’s leading universities. Alongside intensive academic discussions, the visit provided an opportunity to strengthen existing research connections and explore new perspectives for future collaboration. And, in keeping with the region’s traditions, there was also time to experience South Africa’s renowned wine culture—reminding us that meaningful research partnerships are often built not only through formal meetings, but also through personal exchange.

A highlight of the visit was Prof. Kiesel’s presentation at the NITheCS Colloquium, organised by the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS). The colloquium series brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines and provides a platform for international scientific dialogue. The event was attended both in person and online by researchers, students, and members of the wider academic community.

In his talk, “The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS): Design, Analysis & Trading,” Prof. Kiesel presented insights into the European Union’s emissions trading system—one of the EU’s key instruments for climate policy. His presentation explored the design and economic foundations of the EU ETS, highlighting the role of carbon markets in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through market-based mechanisms. The discussion also covered current developments in carbon trading and the importance of financial and economic analysis for the continued evolution of emissions trading systems.

The lively discussion that followed reflected the strong international interest in market-based approaches to climate policy. As the world continues to address the challenges of climate change, the exchange of ideas across countries and institutions is becoming increasingly important.

Prof. Kiesel’s visit to Stellenbosch University also highlights the value of international partnerships for our faculty. Personal encounters foster trust, inspire new ideas, and often lay the foundation for future research collaborations.

We would like to thank Stellenbosch University, the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS), and especially Prof. Mesias Alfeus for the invitation and the inspiring academic exchange.

The recording of the talk is available here: https://youtu.be/3X8SrCVMyi4?si=wM4cfO5ETmduQFN4