Our short course ICREP, which contributes to continuous professional development in the energy sector, has been running for 33 years and we decided it was time for a makeover. We’ve moved from a five week classroom model to a ‘blended’ model with 8 week part-time online (e-learning) and 2 week classroom format. The first webinar was held on 24th February. The 15 participants will meet every week virtually and face to face for the first time on 18th April in the University.
As we far as we know, this course is among the first courses at the University of Twente (with the exception of the ITC) to use an approach to e-learning which combines synchronous and asynchronous learning methods. In synchronous learning a group of students and their teacher are able to meet together virtually – they don’t even have to be in the same building, town, country – or as in our case – the same continent. In this case ICREP uses a weekly webinar which is recorded and made available for those who missed the session. In asynchronous learning students are able to access on-line material at times that fit into their work and home schedules. In this case we are using educational software, where students can find all the course material, videos and quizzes, and a discussion board where students can ask questions about assignments and get support from their fellow students and staff. This course has been designed in collaboration with Chris Rouwenhorst and Martine ten Voorde from the University’s Centre of Expertise in Learning and Teaching.
The present ICREP course aims to develop skills in preparing proposals in the fields of clean energy access, environment and climate change so that they can mobilise climate finance, particularly from the Green Climate Fund, and catalyse clean energy deployment in developing countries. There are 15 participants from around the world working for governments, consultancies and NGOs involved in sustainable energy and climate change projects.
The course is jointly organised with United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) DPU Partnership and Eco Ltd.
