The UAE University and the German Gulf Engineering Consultants (GGEC), Abu Dhabi, have partnered to offer an energy management and audit training programme and internship to young Emirati nationals.
As part of the programme, called “Energy Voices 2023,” a campaign to promote the use of refillable water bottles will also be rolled out simultaneously to instill the responsibility of sustainability among young nationals for a carbon-neutral future.
Under this initiative, students across five universities in Abu Dhabi will be provided with re-fillable water bottles to support the UAE Government’s endeavor to ban single-use plastics.
“Winning the hosting rights for the global climate summit, COP28, in 2023, adds yet another positive angle to the strategic goal of the internship and energy training program for Emirati nationals. The program perfectly fits into the UAE’s youth participation in climate change, energy saving measures, and focus on renewable,” Dr. Saud Muhammad AlMarzooqi, acting Associate Professor for Students Affairs, UAE University, said.
Under the programme, paid internship will be provided to 50 selected Emirati students from five universities of both genders along with the training in energy management and audit. Certificates of accomplishment will be issued to students at a grand award ceremony at the completion of the programme.
The CSR initiative by GGEC – Energy Voices 2023 – also fits into the context of the next 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) which will be hosted by the UAE at the Dubai Expo City. Energy Voices 2023 is also supported by the Abu Dhabi University, Zayed University, ADNOC and key private partners.
“All participants in the training, our partners and those who are associated with the Energy Voices will commit to use refillable water bottles and stop using single-use plastics,” Mr. Sunilan Menothuparambil, Managing Director of GGEC said, adding that specially designed reusable bottles have been procured and will be distributed to all stakeholders in the training and climate change awareness campaign.
“Our programme will also include promoting a ten-point action on saving energy across themes such as – save energy at home, walk, bike or take public transport, eat more vegetables, control travel urge, stop food wastage, reduce, reuse, repair & recycle, shift from conventional to renewable energy, support eco-friendly products, go electric and promote planet-friendliness,” he said, adding that this will also promote the UN SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing – and contributing in its own way to the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 goal.
In appreciation of the Energy Voices 2023, Mr. Sunilan Menothuparambil was also given a memento by Alyaziyah Sultan Al Dhaheri, Director of the UAE University.
“Probably, this is the first time an integrated and comprehensive climate change and energy management programme and internship has been offered in the UAE. Energy Voice 2023 is also unique with state entities joining hands with private sector to advance the cause of sustainability. This shows the wider adoption of UAE’s Net Zero strategy commitment and how private sector players are keen to advance this cause,” said Mr. Sunilan Menothuparambil.
According to Mr. Sunilan, the initiative was driven by German Gulf’s corporate responsibility mission of giving back to the community, themed, `In Harmony with the Community and the Environment,’ which aims to support and contribute to the UAE’s climate change initiatives. The training programme will equip the participating students to further take up higher level courses and avail job opportunities in sustainable energy management.
The focus of the training will include effective energy audit, energy management practices in the real estate sector, energy conservation in buildings, tools and techniques to be energy efficient, as well as on efficient operations and management.
Apart from current students, all national and expatriate can also enroll for the programme.
A number of activities are also planned around the cause of energy efficiency in Abu Dhabi, to bring the general population from all walks of life to appreciate and contribute to national endeavors. These activities include, webinars, essay competitions, painting activities for kids, short film competition, and a Greenathon cycle marathon, to name a few.