By Callum Cowan

An innovative online course that aims to establish renewable energy within developing countries has been created by academics at the University of Strathclyde.

Led by Dr Tom Houghton from the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, the affordable course is part of a project supporting the United Nations’ goal of enabling sustainable energy for all.

Speaking about it, Dr Houghton said: “This project is a fantastic initiative and will allow Strathclyde to utilise its expertise in renewable energy and provide training on the latest developments in the sector.

“The internationally available online distance learning courses will be delivered through the UNITAR (United Nations Institution for Training and Research] e-learning platform that already offers hundreds of courses to developing countries.

“The course, aimed at decision-makers in governments and nongovernmental organisations, will be moderated by a Strathclyde academic and the University will provide all content, regularly communicating with delegates to ensure support is available throughout.”

Upon satisfactory completion of the course, delegates will receive a United Nations Diploma.

Academics are working closely with CIFAL Scotland: a UNITAR affiliated training centre, and have financial support from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon International team in order to deliver the course.

Stressing the importance of the project, UNITAR Fellow and CIFAL CEO, May East, said: “Within UN circles we see energy as the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity, and an environment that allows the world to thrive.

“Energy supply is today a major concern in regions such as Africa, Asia and Latin America.

“The World Bank estimates that approximately one third of the world’s population – over two billion people – have no access to modern energy services.

“This course has the bold intention to bridge this gap and present the case on how renewable energies represent at the same time an environmental necessity and an economic opportunity.”

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