Renewable energy doctoral programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: A preliminary assessment of common capacity deficits and emerging capacity-building strategies

Abstract

a b s t r a c tRenewable energy technologies offer many advantages in sub-Saharan Africa, but widespread deployment will require strong endogenous innovation capabilities. Universities in general and doctoral research in particular play a key role in tailoring technologies to local contexts and equipping future educators, policymakers and entrepreneurs with relevant skill sets. This capacity assessment of four sub-Saharan African universities identifies common functional capacity deficits in their renewable energy PhD programmes: (1) highly centralised institutional arrangements, (2) lack of accountability for supervisors, (3) tendency to produce low-impact research, and (4) poor physical infrastructure, particularly internet access. However, this cross-institutional comparison also highlights low-or no-cost capacity-building strategies that are being piloted within the four universities, including joint supervision policies, weekly seminar programmes, the establishment of specialist centres to engage stakeholders and the introduction of internal monitoring processes. These results suggest that, despite limited resource envelopes and with mutual learning, there is substantial scope to enhance the quality of renewable energy doctoral programmes in sub-Saharan African universities.

The expanding horizon of renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa: Leading research in the social sciences

“…Furthermore, as noted in a recent correspondence in Nature, "researchers and decision-makers from low-income countries should help to define the research priorities of universities in high-income countries" [36]. This fits with the necessary capacity-building measures discussed by Colenbrander et al [25]. Finally, some contributors used workshops to bring together people for day-long discussions about the researched topic.…”

“…Colenbrander, et al find that the PhD programs that train engineers for renewable energy technologies suffer from a number of shortcomings, suggesting an area where donors can make a significant difference [25]. Hancock finds that some innovative programs have started through the ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), using an online program to link engineers in West Africa with engineers at Columbia University in New York [26].…”

The African electricity deficit: Computing the minimum energy poverty line using field research in urban Nigeria

“…Discussions about increasing wind energy [1] and capacity-building through PhD engineering programs [2], among other issues identified in this Special Issue, must consider what we mean by energy poverty, a term that is usually defined in two main contexts: Western-Urban and DevelopingRural.…”

Advanced Education and Training Programs to Support Renewable Energy Investment in Africa

“…In recent years in some African countries, significant strides have been made in this regard. Some African universities have engaged in advanced education and training in renewable energy and incorporated a diversified training program in form of masters and doctoral degrees to meet increasing demands for qualified human resource in judgment and decision making (Colenbrander et al, 2015). Both of the above qualities are necessary for renewable energy related project planning and management and to ensure appropriate application and utilization of renewable energy technologies for local conditions.…”

“…African countries are far lacking in this area. They are confronted with challenges in developing scientific education and technologies in renewable energy tailored to local conditions due to the lack in equipment and laboratory materials (Colenbrander et al, 2015). African universities seek to solve the energy problem by training professionals to help stimulate indispensable creative capabilities and open mindedness through research and development as a key success factor for the sector (Lewis and Wiser, 2007).…”