New Delhi, September 3: IIT Delhi has inaugurated its first regular academic program at the Sonipat campus. This inaugural batch includes nine international fellows from eight different countries. The first class of the postgraduate diploma program in ‘Solar Systems and Management’ commenced on Thursday. This initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and France’s National Institute of Solar Energy (INES).
Upon completing the postgraduate diploma program at IIT Delhi’s Sonipat campus, ISA fellows will also undergo a one-month internship in Europe. This internship will provide them with practical training related to solar technology applications. The one-year program, managed by IIT Delhi’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering, focuses on specialized training in the field of solar energy.
A key feature of this postgraduate diploma program is its emphasis on practical training alongside theoretical classroom instruction. Fellows will receive insights into solar technology and its applications from both IIT Delhi’s expert faculty and industry professionals.
Professor Ramesh Narayanan, head of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Delhi, stated that this initiative positions IIT Delhi as a significant player in energy education and management on a global scale. He mentioned that the program aims to prepare international participants to work as trainers in over 120 ISA member countries. After their internship in Europe, these fellows will be assigned responsibilities at Solar Technology Application Resource Centers (STAR-Cs) located in their respective countries.
These centers are designed to foster the rapid expansion of solar energy in ISA member countries by developing skills, essential infrastructure, and an environment conducive to innovation. The goal is to strengthen institutions, create green jobs, and promote sustainable economic development. Professor Somnath Baid Roy, in charge of the Sonipat campus, described this program as a milestone for the institution. He noted that it is the first academic program to be conducted physically at the Sonipat campus.
Plans are in place to launch more academic programs at the campus in the coming years. This initiative is a result of the ‘Framework for Action’ formalized earlier this year between IIT Delhi and the International Solar Alliance. It emphasizes enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, capacity building, academic collaboration, and human resource development in ISA member countries. The program is sponsored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
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