24 June 2009

Graduates to power the future

The Renewable Energy cohort will graduate at 2.30pm on Thursday, June 25th.

A group of University of Dundee graduates will be called upon to power industry and provide energy for our homes whilst helping to combat climate change in future years.

The first cohort of students from the BSc (Hons) Renewable Energy course will receive their degrees at the University’s Graduation Ceremony at the Caird Hall on Thursday, June 25th.

As the world faces up to the challenges posed by climate change, and Governments, corporations and other organisations realise the importance of shifting to sustainable sources of power, the skills and expertise obtained by these students over the past four years will be increasingly in demand.

A new generation of scientists, engineers and policy-makers are needed to make informed decisions on all aspects of this important and rapidly developing subject, and the Renewable Energy programme at Dundee is designed to produce graduates capable of making an immediate contribution to the sector.

As a massive global effort focuses on finding sustainable solutions to future energy needs that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from current levels, pioneering teaching and research into a number of areas of renewable energy, including electric cars, and wind, hydro and solar power is being carried out at Dundee

The five graduands who form the initial intake to the Renewable Energy programme will see their hard work pay off on Thursday, and Dr Gari Harris, of Electronic Engineering, Physics and Renewable Energy at the University, paid tribute to them.

'What’s noticeable about those studying Renewable Energy is that they are very idealistic, passionate, committed and motivated,' he said. 'They strongly believe in what they are doing, and are desperate to make their contribution to solving the problem of global warming.'

'These guys have worked on a range of innovative and exciting projects that have great potential for producing sustainable energy. They’ve studied the local environment closely and examined how it can be used as a sustainable source of energy.'

'With the desperate need to adopt sources of renewable energy, there will be a lot of opportunities for these graduates, and those who follow in their footsteps on this course.

'Barack Obama recently pledged $11billion for renewable energy research and development, and jobs will be created over here as a result of this.'

'The Scottish Government has also made investment in renewable energy a priority as they seek to meet the pledged 50% reduction in carbon dioxide levels by 2020, and to do so they will need people with the skills and knowledge our graduates have obtained.'

'Our graduates are ideally placed to take advantage of this, as they looked at Scotland, where it is doing well in terms of renewable energy, where gaps exist, and how these gaps can be filled.'

Since the inaugural batch began their studies in 2004, the Renewable Energy programme at Dundee has grown significantly. At least 15 students will be welcomed onto the BSc course next year, a postgraduate MSc course is on offer, and one of the graduating cohort may be invited to return to Dundee to fill a funded PhD position.

Comprising elements of electrical engineering, general engineering and physics, the Renewable Energy programme addresses all of the aspects that potential employers are demanding.

The programme has pioneered the use of an electric-powered car and scooter around the campus, and both are charged using entirely renewable sources that produce zero Co2 emissions.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk