The University of Strathclyde in Scotland has announced that it has become the first university in the UK to offer a Master of Science (MSc) in offshore energy transition.
In a statement sent to Rigzone, the university emphasized that the course is aimed at engineers and managers and said it “introduces the innovative technologies, organizational strategies and business models that will sustain zero”.
The course is offered part-time and is taught entirely online, according to the university’s website, which notes that it lasts an average of 36 months. It is designed for those who work full-time in the industry and are looking for additional training for new job opportunities and an enhanced career path in the offshore renewable energy sector, the site notes.
In its statement, the university highlighted that the course has been developed in collaboration with the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), which it described as an employer-led skills body for industries and one of the leading voices around the path to net zero. which is contributing to the UK Government’s green jobs delivery, tasking and completion groups.
“With a growing demand for energy transition solutions worldwide, there is an urgent need to train a sufficient number of experts with the necessary skills to fill the relevant technical and managerial positions in the industry,” the university said in the statement
“Strathclyde’s MSc, in partnership with ECITB, has been designed to respond to this need and facilitate career change for those who have previously worked in relevant industry sectors and are keen to participate in the emerging industry of renewable energies,” added the university. .
Feargal Brennan, Head of the Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, described the course as “groundbreaking, not only in terms of its content but also in terms of providing a flexible way of teaching and learning that allows those already in employment to take a master’s degree in offshore energy transition”.
“We need to attract the best students from all backgrounds in order to build a diverse and resilient sector to combat climate change and to maximize the opportunities that the new energy landscape will offer,” he added.
“This program allows for the flexibility to fit around personal and work commitments,” he continued.
Ali Mehmanparast, MSc Course Director at the University of Strathclyde, said: “We are delighted to offer the MSc in Offshore Energy Transition in partnership with ECITB, to equip engineers, managers and industry thought leaders with the necessary skills for the transition towards a sustainable energy future”.
“This tailor-made program, which has been specifically designed for full-time industrial workforces at various technical and managerial levels, enables participants to familiarize themselves with the key challenges and opportunities associated with the net zero economy, and enables organizations to achieve business growth while contributing to net zero goals,” he added.
Andrew Hockey, Chief Executive of ECITB, said: “The launch of the Offshore Energy Transition Masters will support the engineering construction industry to meet the challenge of delivering net zero and equip people with the training needed to become the future leaders of the offshore energy transition.”.
“The University of Strathclyde has successfully run the Energy Transition Leadership Program (ETLP) for a number of years and the Masters is the natural progression of this modular programme,” he added.
“We have worked closely with the university and employers to ensure that the course content reflects the needs of industry and we are pleased that the ETLP modules count towards this postgraduate programme,” he continued.
University of Aberdeen, RGU
In January 2021, the University of Aberdeen announced that it had launched the UK’s first postgraduate program in Energy Transition Systems and Technologies.
In a statement at the time, the university noted that the course will educate at master’s level “a new generation of systems engineers providing industry-relevant skills and training, with future career possibilities in all areas of the energy sector “.
“This course was created to fill a gap and meet a need,” program director Russell McKenna said in a university statement at the time.
“In recent years, non-hydrocarbon energy has grown significantly in Aberdeen due to its great talent of energy engineers and scientists and the abundance of wind and ocean energy resources off the Aberdeenshire coast,” he said. add.
“The last 20 years have seen increased interest in more sustainable energy systems. The transition towards these systems has gained momentum, aided by new technological innovations in areas such as wind and tidal energy, energy storage energy, carbon capture and storage, biofuels and hydrogen,” he continued.
“The energy transition, however, continues to pose significant technological, commercial and political challenges for companies and governments,” he said.
Later in the year, the The University of Aberdeen announced a commitment to divest from fossil fuels. The decision was directly linked to the university’s commitment to show leadership in working towards a sustainable future for the planet through Aberdeen 2040, the University of Aberdeen noted at the time.
The Robert Gordon University website notes that the university “leverages 50 years of world-renowned oil and gas teaching and research experience, along with unparalleled industry collaborations, to be an international leader in just transition towards a sustainable and resilient future energy supply”. “.
“Through our academic offering, we will meet the demand for skills by equipping new graduates for the future of energy and improving the workforce by offering a distinctive set of innovative courses developed in collaboration with industry,” the university adds on its site.
“Through applied and interdisciplinary research, we will help advance the transition at national and international levels, as well as make powerful contributions to other global challenges,” he continues.
Additionally, the university states on its site that, as of May 2023, it has less than 0.01 percent invested directly in oil and gas companies.
To contact the author, please send an email andreas.exarcheas@rigzone.com
