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“Enhancing Education and Gender Inclusion for Energy Transition and Climate Action in MENA" – a RENEW – AAST joint event

Created Dec 14 2023, 7:35 AM by Iris Weges
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RENEW – AAST Joint event on “Enhancing Education and Gender Inclusion for Energy Transition and Climate Action in MENA" Oct 30, 2023 - Alexandria - Egypt

Author: Yousra Assaker

On 30 October 2023, the first joint event for the World Bank supported Regional Network in Energy for Women in MENA (RENEW-MENA) partners on “Enhancing Education and Gender Inclusion for Energy Transition and Climate Action in MENA” was organized with the Arab Academy for Science and Technology (AAST).
“We came today to strengthen engagement between the job market and academia on energy transition” said Amira El Mazny, Energy expert and GasREG board member - RENEW Steering Committee member. 

RENEW was launched in 2022 to enhance women participation in the energy sector across MENA, “This is a professional network bringing individuals and organization together, to form a support system for female energy professionals” said Elisabeth Maier, WB Senior Operations Officer and RENEW TTL, in her welcome note to the conference. RENEW supports women energy professionals by exposing them to career development opportunities and building their capacities, it also helps organizations exchange their experience on fostering a gender-friendly work environment, and Academia in introducing energy transition to the students as potential energy professionals. 

RENEW expanded its presence in many MENA countries; RENEW partners share their plans for activities contributing to RENEW objectives, and collaborate efforts to implement them. “I’m thrilled to see the first RENEW activity in Egypt delivered jointly with our partners emphasizing their ownership. RENEW national chapters will stimulate the dialogue on the country level and extend it at regional level” said Yousra Assaker, WB Senior Energy Specialist and RENEW Co-TTL . In Egypt, RENEW attracted many partners, the Arab Academy for Science and Technology (AAST) in coordination with IEEE planned for a conference at AAST premises with STEM students as target audience to introduce energy sector entities working in Egypt and the region.

The conference included four sessions to trigger discussion with the students; each included a presentation followed by a panel and Q&A session: 1) introducing RENEW-MENA to the AAST students and staff, 2) presenting the WB regional study on clean energy and Jobs, 3) featuring the energy transition and explaining role of regulators and private sector in supporting it, and 4) Showcasing how the academy is responding to energy transition and new skills needs. The session had active engagements from the students and the faculty staff. Watch this video for the conference

The speakers explained the recent changes in energy sector, “The energy regulations are evolving in Egypt to enable private sector participation especially in Renewable energy and electric mobility” said Salma Osman, Head of Central department at Egypt ERA, Electricity Regulatory Authority and Customer protection (Egypt ERA). And encouraged Students to harness change “Don’t let anything hold you back, explore new technology in energy transition and decarbonization” said Engy Adly; CEO Assistant for Licenses & Contracts, Egyptian Gas Regulatory Authority (GasREG).

Cross fertilization across MENA is a core value offered by RENEW and its partners, “RCREEE established engagements with women in MENA, and will collaborate with RENEW to help them advance their energy careers” said Nadia Chioukh, International Cooperation and Communication Manager and Eman Adel, Sustainable Energy Expert from Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)

The World Bank mobilized two of its experts to present the Clean energy and Jobs regional study and trigger the discussion with the students and faculty staff, “The energy transition brings new opportunities but will require new skills sets” said Affouda Leon Biaou; Infrastructure Program Leader and Tu Chi Nguyen; Senior Energy Economist

The speakers delivered HR tips for students and graduates to start their career,“Infinity is availing internships to attract distinguished students to start their career in energy” said Nihal Samaha HR manager and George Victor head of technical department at Infinity. 

The Engineers syndicate participated in the event and the faculty staff introduced how curricula respond to the transition and changing market needs.“The students were impressive, they expressed their views on climate change and presented their projects” said Dr. Sherin Youssef, AAST Head of Computer Engineering department and Chair of IEEE Egypt Women in Engineering and Technology, concluding her insights on the event.