Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) Summer School 2019 - Energy Transitions
The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) summer school on Energy Transitions will be held at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, from July 8-19, 2019.
Background
Alberta is a major energy producing region and the University of Alberta is a world leader in research in the areas of traditional energy development, future energy systems, and the related topics of environment and land reclamation. The world's energy needs continue to increase and we face significant energy related challenges - climate change being one of the biggest. Research into reducing the environmental impact of traditional energy systems, development of future energy systems and land reclamation of all energy systems is essential in the face of climate change and its global effects.
Who Should Attend?
The WUN summer school in Energy Transitions is aimed at upper-year undergraduate students* from WUN member institutions in any discipline, who are passionate about exploring multidisciplinary solutions to global challenges and have an interest in learning more about the latest research in the energy area.
*Two or more years of undergraduate degree completed
Program
The program will include lectures, seminars, field-trips and hands-on activities and will highlight the latest research on technological advances in energy and the intersection with other technological platforms such as artificial intelligence, as well as the economic, political and social aspects of transitions in energy production and consumption.
Topics include:
- Reducing the environmental impact of traditional energy systems
- Climate change impact
- Advances in technologies for traditional energy systems
- Carbon capture and storage
- Development of future energy systems
- Geothermal
- Solar
- Wind
- Energy storage from renewable energy
- Low carbon energy
- Land reclamation
- Reclamation and restoration of legacy, traditional and renewable energy sites including, coal, oil and gas, oil sands, transmission lines, and wind turbines
- Economic, political and social aspects of energy transitions
- Engagement with indigenous and other communities
- Economic analysis of energy systems
- Environmental assessment
- Navigating the political and legal issues around traditional and future energy including, pipelines, oil sands and international climate change agreements
With a total of approximately 50 hours of academic programming, the program will run from 9 am to 4 pm on each weekday. In-class experience will be complemented by field trips to traditional and renewable energy generating sites, land reclamation sites and research demonstration sites, including:
- Coal mine sites and electricity generation
- Wind, solar and/or renewable energy sites
- Reclamation sites - coal, pipelines and other energy related reclamation sites
- Research demonstration sites and lab tours highlighting the latest research in energy systems
Note that the language of instruction for the program is English. Participants from non-English-speaking countries should have a high level of proficiency in English so as to fully benefit from the academic content. This is a non-credit program. Upon the completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of participation from the University of Alberta. Official transcripts will not be provided. Member universities are welcome to recognize the experience and award credit points based on institutional policies.
View Program Schedule here.
Leisure and Cultural Experiences
Time will be provided for leisure and cultural experiences, including:
- Three-day weekend trip to Waterton Lakes National Park
- Cultural experiences in the Edmonton region, such as - Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, Aga Khan Garden, and more
Program Fees
The program fee is $2,650 CAD per person and includes:
- 10 day academic program, including lectures, seminars and field trips
- Hospitality package:
- Transportation to and from the Edmonton International Airport and the University of Alberta
- 13 nights' accommodation in on-campus student housing
- UAlberta cash card with a $200 CAD credit (can be used for meals and other goods and services on campus)
- Welcome breakfast, farewell lunch, and social programming
- Weekend trip to Waterton Lakes National Park (2 nights, 3 days)
Based on recommendations from students' home universities, WUN will provide a limited number of scholarship awards to help defray costs. Airfare, health insurance, and additional meals are not included in the program fee. Students are recommended to budget an additional $300-$500 CAD for incidental expenses.
Application Information
This program is open to upper-year undergraduate students from WUN Member Universities. The maximum program capacity will be 30 participants. To apply, click the APPLY NOW button below. If you are having trouble accessing the application form, please email us at visituab@ualberta.ca.
The application deadline is April 8, 2019.