At the 2024 IEEE PES/IAS PowerAfrica Conference, I presented findings from our study titled “A Comprehensive exploration of renewable energy education landscape in Ethiopian public universities,” conducted by CESET in Ethiopia. This research aimed to analyze the state of energy education across Ethiopian higher education, particularly focusing on program offerings, curriculum content, geographical distribution, and the challenges and opportunities within the sector. To conduct this analysis, we employed systematic curriculum reviews, surveys, data compilation, and interactive spatial mapping.
Our findings reveal a diverse landscape of energy education, with both standalone programs and integrated courses available across universities. However, a significant gap was identified, as only 22% of the 45 public universities in Ethiopia have Institutes of Technology (IoTs), which are critical for delivering technology-focused education. Additionally, none of the universities offer standalone energy programs at the BSc level, and less than 10% have such programs at the MSc level. Key energy-related courses, such as "Energy Conversion and Rural Electrification" and "Hydropower Engineering," are integrated into Electrical Power Engineering programs and taught in 78% of public universities. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating hands-on training and fieldwork into renewable energy curricula to better equip students for the practical demands of the industry.
Furthermore, it recommends fostering partnerships between universities, industry, and the government to enhance the quality and relevance of renewable energy education. These findings provide critical insights into the current state of energy education in Ethiopia.
The conference paper will be available once it is published in the IEEE Xplore.
