Taiwan Varsity Offers GREEN Course

This piece of information should be a cause for cheer because one can now get certified via proper or dedicated trainings in the emerging alternatives on renewable energy and energy efficient products.

Then again, to be honest I am not really sure if I should leap for joy or sit disappointed reading the news as we have some world class universities in Malaysia and yet we have to depend on others to learn technology that is already in existence -and in wide scale - in our country. 

I have a lecturer friend at UMS and I know he is actively researching in the field of renewable energy but that is a totally different thing. What is being research and developed, and what is being taught at school or uni are two separate issues. Syllabus and modules on green technology should be available in at least a couple of varsities to cater for the current and future needs in the RE initiatives. Remember, Prime Minister Najib pledged 40% carbon footprint reduction in Malaysia by 2020.

Harnessing energy from the sun? Shot with Nikkor 18-200 | 18mm | ISO 200 | f/14 | 1/160sec |

If we don't prepare the current generation of student with the necessary educational background, then I believe we have missed out one point in trying to make Malaysia a major hub in production of RE equipment. Note that Malaysia is third behind China and Germany in solar PV panel manufacturing. 

Awareness campaign alone is not sufficient. Fiscal and monetary incentives are good but it only encourage foreign investment per see, and the goal to transfer knowledge is only at the industry/application level. Foreign investors must be 'forced' to transfer the knowledge through the higher learning institutions, too.

For now, the only proper training is conducted via Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA) which focuses on teaching industry players on how to get certified as implementer and install/commission RE equipment such as solar PV, mini hydro, bio gas and biomass. This is nothing more than trainings done by ASTRO on its appointed Astro Installers in the monopolised satellite TV industry in the country. The Installers know their stuff - installing, commissioning, troubleshooting, etc - but very few know about the technology behind the application.

Similarly, in a couple of years time, many so-called Solar PV certified installers would become well-versed with lighting up the rural area and make money from there but it just stop there. Technological advancement is from somewhere else, and this does not help us in terms of global competitiveness.

So there, give it a thought when you enroll for 'green' courses such as the one reported by The Star in the following article:

Green Course in Taiwan

The Star Online, Jan 8, 2012

KUN Shan University in Taiwan is offering a Solar and LED Illumination Technology course for Malaysians below the age of 40.

The tuition fee has been waived. MCA Vocational Education Development Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn encouraged Malaysians to enrol in the course as the country needed trained technicians in the field with renewable energy becoming increasingly popular. Dr Fong, who is also chairman of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia, said the government was committed to reducing the nation’s carbon dioxide footprint by 40 percent in 2020.

“Switching to renewable energy is certainly a step towards achieving the goal,” he said in a statement on Friday.

With the passing of the Renewable Energy (RE) and Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Acts 2011, renewable energy would become a viable and sound long-term investment for companies, industries and individuals.

“We have abundant sunlight throughout the year, and should therefore fully utilise solar energy, which is green. The introduction of the Fit-in Tariff (FiT) system comes timely and would spur the demand for installations of solar panels nationwide,” said Dr Fong.

The FiT system is implemented following the passing of the RE and SEDA Acts 2011, obliging Distribution Licensees to buy from Feed-in Approval Holders the electricity produced from renewable resources, including solar energy. As the installation and maintenance of solar panels is an infant industry in the country, Malaysia is in dire need of experts in the area.

Hands-on training makes up the biggest chunk of the solar course offered by Kun Shan University, allowing students to familiarise themselves with the installation of solar panels during their two-year study in Taiwan.

This course is among the eight courses offered under the Malaysian Taiwan Skills Programme. Applications are now open and student intake is in March this year.

Students would also be exposed to the design of LED illumination system and applications, where they would acquire the skills to design flat display screen and LED lights meant for different purposes. Upon graduation, students can work in the industries of solar, LED illumination and LCD display manufacturing.

For enquiries, please call MCA Vocational Education Development Committee Secretariat at 03-2166 8211 or 03-2161 8044. The application deadline is Jan 17, 2012. [Note: This has definitely passed but there's no harm asking]