Aligarh: “The huge consumption of electricity in the University requires a viable alternative energy source that should be dependable in terms of use and economy, and this is what the nation is also looking up in view of the growing demand for electricity and the decreasing coal reserve which is needed for generating conventional energy,” said the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Naima Khatoon, while addressing a programme that marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Aligarh Muslim University and the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gurugram, which is run under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.
Prof Khatoon said that AMU is the only university in the country to have the largest solar power generation system which produces 6.5 megawatt solar energy, and we still require a considerable extension in this facility so that our dependency on conventional energy is lessened.
She hoped that the MoU between AMU and NISE will be beneficial to both the institutions and programmes and schemes will be initiated under this agreement that helps AMU become the biggest node in the country for solar power generation and a hub for research and studies in this area.
Prof Mohammad Rihan, Director General, National Institute of Solar Energy and a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Founder (former) Director, Centre for Green and Renewable Energy, AMU, who led the NISE team, comprising Deputy Director General Dr Jai Prakash Singh, Dr Vikrant Sharma, Deputy Director and Dr Rahul Pachauri, Senior Project Engineer, elaborated on the salient features of the MoU and hoped that the agreement will facilitate cooperation and coordination between the two institutes in furthering the scope of research and higher studies in the area of renewable energy.
He said the AMU already have an MoU with the NISE since 2018 under which an M.Tech. programme is running with an intake of 12 students, which provides two semesters at AMU and two semesters at NISE.
Underscoring the need for starting an interdisciplinary programme to address the computer software development, gender equity and financial aspects of the new and renewable energy programme, Prof Rihan urged the University to explore the prospects of initiating full-fledged or short term programmes for the postgraduate students of management, social work, law and social sciences.
Earlier, welcoming the delegation from NISE, the AMU Registrar, Mr Mohammad Imran (IPS) stressed the need for starting internship programmes for AMU students at NISE and providing them with an opportunity to have a practical knowledge of Solar PV installations and other related segments.
The objectives of the MoU include starting a programme to accelerate, expand and achieve the objectives of National Solar Mission through trainings, skill development and capacity building programmes launched by NISE and AMU for better employability; enhanced job creation and entrepreneurship; continuing of the PG Diploma/ Master level course jointly started under the previous MoU; enhancing industry-academia interface and aligning training, capacity building and skill development to meet the industry-specific requirements for better employability and assisting each other in “Training the Trainers” Programme, Entrepreneurship Development Programme, Standardisation of Courses and Certification Programmes, Testing Protocols, Commercialization of R&D activities, etc.
Prof Nesar Ahmad, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof Mohammad Muzammil, Principal, Z.H. College of Engineering and Technology, Prof Asfar Ali Khan, Officer on Special Duty, Prof Abu Tariq, Chairman, Department of Electrical Engineering, Prof. Salman Hameed, Member Incharge, Electricity and also expressed their views.
Dr Safia Akhtar Kazmi, Coordinator, Centre for Integrated Green and Renewable Energy, AMU coordinated the signing of the MoU and extended a vote of thanks.
