Power up: Upskill in power engineering with the smarter energy focus

Making the electricity grid “smart” has become a priority throughout the world – as is ensuring we have enough adequately skilled specialists in the field.

Power Engineering course chair and lecturer Professor Akhtar Kalam says the new Graduate Certificate was designed for industry professionals ready to upskill, while the Masters is a more in-depth degree with a research component. His passion for renewable energy has helped shape these courses.

“This work is so exciting, everyone’s talking about Smart Energy. We’re teaching people from diverse backgrounds – those with engineering degrees and a range of industry experience,” he says.

“I’m determined to promote, educate and change the mindset of our conventional past and contribute to solving CO₂ emissions and climate change. Power systems have been a major contributor to polluting the planet. At VU we are committed to growing knowledge in renewable energy systems.”

Studying VU’s Master of Engineering (Power Engineering), product development engineer Chabilal Mongar says he chose VU for its reputation, but soon discovered the hands-on approach and supportive environment that elevated his career.

“I had the opportunity to learn from the best and be a part of this amazing institution which is ranked among the world’s top 3% of universities.

My coursework not only covered all types of renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, biomass and fuel cells including energy storage technologies) but also provided in-depth understanding of the technology through mathematical modelling and simulation using software tools.

The skills I gained made me job-ready and gave me the necessary confidence to practice engineering and solve real-world problems. The unwavering support I received from my professors was invaluable in my success.”