A Comprehensive Exploration of Renewable Energy Education Landscape in Ethiopian Public Universities

Abstract

The renewable energy sector has experienced a rapid expansion, driven by rising fossil fuel costs, increasing concerns about energy security, and the imperative to electrify rural areas. This growth creates a demand for skilled professionals, and higher education institutions must respond by providing comprehensive and practical renewable energy education. This study aims to analyze energy education in Ethiopian public universities, considering program offerings, content, geographical distribution, challenges, and opportunities. To achieve this, a multifaceted methodology involving systematic curriculum reviews, targeted surveys, data compilation, and interactive spatial mapping is employed. Findings indicate a diverse landscape, with both standalone programs and integrated courses available. Among the 45 public universities, only 22% of them have Institutes of Technologies (IoTs), indicating a significant technology-focused institute gap. None of these universities provide standalone energy programs at the BSc level, and less than 10% offer such programs at the MSc level. Notably, key energy courses like “Energy Conversion and Rural Electrification” and “Hydropower Engineering” have been identified, taught in 78% of public universities, and integrated within Electrical Power Engineering programs at the BSc level. However, the evident lack of practical training and experiential learning in energy education has implications for the sector's development in Ethiopia.