Mzuzu University (Mzuni) has said it will enhance short courses on renewable energy to improve access to electricity.
Associate professor Orton Msiska, who is also Mzuni acting vice-chancellor, said this during the presentation of certificates to graduates who attended short courses on Solar Energy Systems. The course was organised by the Test and Training Centre for Renewable Energy Technologies (TCRET) at Mzuni.
“Energy is a very important amenity in the development of any sector of the economy in the world, be it agriculture, health, tourism education, industrial production, service industry, etc.
He said the course came at the right time considering that energy is one of the priorities within priorities in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) and also one of the pillars in the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP).
Msiska said despite energy being an integral part in development, it was sad to note that access to electricity in Malawi is currently at nine percent, far too low in the Sadc region.
He noted that many areas, especially rural areas, will take years to have electricity, hence the need to empower the masses with other forms of energy.
“It is against this background that the short course on solar energy systems is very important as it will enhance provision of sustainable electricity generated from the sun to rural communities in Malawi,” said Msiska.
