The National University of Samoa in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) conducted and delivered the Vocational Training and Education on Clean Energy (VOCTEC) Program this week at Lepapaigalagala.
As part of the VOCTEC Pacific Islands program, funded by USAID, the major objective is to strengthen the cadre of qualified professionals and technicians to design, install, operate and maintain stand-alone solar PV systems in Samoa and other Pacific Island nations.
Arizona State University’s partnership with local training institutions such as the National University of Samoa ensures that solar PV trainings for technicians and installers meet current and future training needs in the respective countries.
Technicians and experts from Samoa Water Authority, Electric Power Corporation, Local Businesses & Suppliers and Private Contractors are some of this first workshop participants.
NUS training in the VOCTEC Solar PV “Train-the-Trainer” Workshop at USP Suva, Fiji on 20 January – 7 February 2014 enabled its staff to deliver the same training to local participants. According to James Ah Fook, Senior Lecturer and Head of Department of Electro-Engineering at National University of Samoa “The interest shown is beyond our expectations.
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We are looking at running the same workshop at the end of July for those who were not able to participate in this first one. We will continue to go from there as the need arises. Negotiations are in the pipeline for delivery as a regular NUS programme or as a workshop like this one or even both.
The heavy dependence of Samoa on imported fuel cannot be overstated. With Samoa’s vulnerability to fossil fuel price fluctuations and climate change, Renewable energy is no longer an option but a necessity.
The cost of electricity in Samoa is exorbitantly high. Solar PV based systems are already proving their effectiveness all over the region, for example, a 1MW system in Tokelau, making it the first fully renewable energy powered country in the world.
On the other hand, Samoa has just started Solar PV projects. This training will fall in-line or will be in parallel with Solar PV technology on island.”
The NUS Dept of Electro-Engineering will be responsible for delivering this programme to ensure Samoa and the rest of the region are able to keep up with the technology that enables us to harness solar energy for our electrical power needs.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Letuimanu’asina Dr Emma Kruse Vaai presented the participants with their certificates.
They were: Mamea Antonio Mamea, Pouafe Junior Pouafe, Aukusitino Lam Sam, Douglas Wilson, Latu Latu, Norman Afato, Luaao Peni, Lomaivitilevu Tepa, Palenapa Va’a, Viliamu Fualau, Tiumalualii Vitale Falanai, Tautai Farani, Maletino Ma’ia’i.
Trainers were James Ah Fook, Dick Wilson and Gavin Pereira.
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