Worldwide Energy University Network (WEUN) Summer School

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 WEUN summer school in Energy Transitions is aimed at upper-year undergraduate students* and masters' students from WEUN 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. The maximum program capacity will be 30 participants.

*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:

1. Reducing the environmental impact of traditional energy systems
   • Climate change impact
   • Advances in technologies for traditional energy systems
   • Carbon capture, utilization and storage
2. Development of future energy systems, such as:
   • Geothermal
   • Solar
   • Wind
   • Biomass
   • Energy storage from renewable energy
3. Land reclamation
   • Reclamation and restoration of legacy, traditional and renewable energy sites including, coal, oil and gas, oil sands, transmission lines, and wind turbines
4. 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, research demonstration sites and lab tours.

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.

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, Fort Edmonton Park, Aga Khan Garden, and more

Program Fees

The program fee is $2,750 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 $150 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)

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.

Important Dates

• March 1: Application Deadline
• March 4: University of Alberta will send WEUN member universities the list of their applicants
• March 11: WEUN Member universities rank applications and provide any scholarship recommendations
• March 16-20: Final program cohort selected and notified by the University of Alberta
• April 17: Final date to pay program fee
• April 30: UAlberta to provide formal invitation letters
• July 5: Participants arrive in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• July 6: Program begins

Application Information

To receive the application form, please contact visituab@ualberta.ca.

Contact for Further Information

Please email visituab@ualberta.ca for further information.