Mapua and PetroEnergy Launch International Program on Renewable Energy Education
Mapua University (Mapua) and PetroEnergy Resources Corporation (PSE: PERC), affiliates of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), recently launched an international summer training program on renewable energy (RE). Dubbed as Renewable Energy Innovation and Leadership Experience (REILE), the 3-week course is designed to provide future energy leaders with the conceptual foundations and introductory practical knowledge in RE systems, technologies, and operations while providing students the opportunities to tour the Philippine countryside.
“We are proud to welcome the first batch of REILE participants composed of international undergraduate and graduate students from China, Denmark, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia,” said Engr. Rosette Eira E. Camus, Director of Mapua’s Office of International Career and Exchange Programs (ICEP) during the program launching at the Mapua Intramuros campus on July 8, 2019. Ms. Camus explained that the REILE Program combines theoretical introductory lectures by Mapua faculty on various RE technologies with visits to PERC’s geothermal, solar, and wind power facilities and interaction with their professional engineers and staff, and invited talks by RE specialists from private industry and government, many of whom are Mapua alumni.
“Mapua envisions the REILE program to be a mechanism and a collaborative educational avenue to highlight the importance of engineering in RE development and to promote RE as a tool for sustainable development. The merging of engineering and technology brings many exciting possibilities to improve and sustain energy generation and efficiency, and we want Mapua to take the lead in exploring these possibilities,” said Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, President and CEO of Mapua University.
PERC’s RE power projects namely; the 32MW Maibarara Geothermal Power Project in Batangas, the 70MWDC Solar Power Project in Tarlac, and the 36MW Nabas Wind Power Project in Aklan will serve as the natural laboratory for students to appreciate the various elements and challenges of RE development and operations as well as to showcase Filipino engineering and technical innovation.
“As Mapua’s sister company, we are pleased to host the first set of REILE students in our RE power facilities and share our experiences from pre-development to operations and maintenance. We also thank invited speakers from the Department of Energy (DOE), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) who make our REILE Program more relevant and comprehensive,” said PERC President Milagros V. Reyes.