Rwanda (University of Rwanda) Total Energies moves to provide expertise to energy professionals to curb renewable energy challenges in Rwanda
Total Energies, a well-renowned company specializing in renewable energy is set to provide expertise and skills to Rwandan energy professionals to improve the energy sector in Rwanda. This was highlighted during a kickoff ceremony of a three-day series of lectures on renewable energy at the African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACE-ESD).
The lectures are part of a number of activities that are supposed to be implemented by Total Energies under a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Government of Rwanda and Total Energies. Attendees are postgraduate students at the African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development and Professionals with energy backgrounds.
In his welcome Remarks, Acting Vice Chancellor of UR, Dr Didas Kayihura highlighted that this kind of collaboration with Total Energies is a good opportunity specifically for the Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development. Driven by the mandate of the Centre which is to produce highly skilled professionals in the energy sector, this kind of collaboration will make the Centre achieve its goals and contribute to the achievement of the government policy.
“African Centres of Excellence, which ACE-ESD is part of, are critical enablers to establish Rwanda as a knowledge-based economy supporting the national strategy for transformation…Renewables are the potential to create sustainable jobs and create more works of highly skilled professionals”, he said. Noting that UR will ensure the sustainability of Centres of Excellence, he added that the University teaching system will be market-oriented to match Rwandan skills with industry and services providers.
The three-day lecture will feature Climate Change, which is h huge challenge to the World of Energy whereby scenarios will be discussed and the potential future of the climate change challenge. This will be also the opportunity to discuss Renewables and their general features, the question of intermittency, and a review of renewable energy sources like other topics.
The Total Energies Country Chair Ronan MASSERON highlighted that the lectures are part of a series of activities. This is part of the MoU signed between the Government of Rwanda and Total Energies to make meaningful contributions to the promotion of the renewable energy sector in Rwanda which includes the skills exchange in renewable energy.
Minister of State in charge of ICT and TVET Claudette Irene commended Total Energies for the quick materialization of the signed MoU. He noted that the government of Rwanda appreciates the contribution of Total Energies in the education sector and renewable energy in particular.
The MoU that the Government of Rwanda signed with Total Energies consists of exchanging skills and bringing their expertise in renewable energy to Rwanda. With this, students are supposed to be sponsored to pursue their studies in renewable energy in France.
Honourable Claudette Irene said, “I am happy that after a few months we signed MoU, we are here to start. This is a sign that there are many more to come. I call upon UR lecturers and students to make sure they benefit from these coming opportunities and many others to come.”
She appreciated the contribution of Total Energies in the education sector and especially in renewable energy and noted that the government of Rwanda will ensure there is a combined effort to find solutions to existing renewable energy challenges.
