GERMI/SSE signs a US$ 250 Million MoU with Kanoda, Inc. for development of solar technologies.
July 20, 2009
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Kanoda, Inc., a Delaware, USA, Corporation and Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), Gandhinagar, on July 20, 2009 to set in place the “Accelerated Development of Applied Photovoltaic Technologies” (ADAPT) program. The ADAPT program aims to develop solar and related interdisciplinary technologies collectively and practically address the energy, environmental and sustainability challenges we face today.
During preliminary talks between GERM and Kanoda, Inc., many common interests in the areas of solar technologies including R&D, services, deployment and policy were recognized. Acknowledging the strengths of GERMI in terms of fundamental knowledge and research potential, and Kanoda, Inc. in terms of technological knowledge and industrial expertise, it was decided upon to collaborate and develop technologies to aggressively penetrate the current energy market.
The estimated cost of investments for laboratory infrastructure and conducting activities is USD 10 Million (Approx. INR 50 Cr.), while the estimated term of partnership is 8 years. The value of the developed technologies is estimated at least at USD 50 Million (Approx. INR 250 Cr.) upon completion of the development cycle based on value addition and market penetration of the developed products.
Youth, Energy reign at petro varsity’s maiden convocation.
May 28, 2009
Youth and energy ruled the power-packed maiden convocation of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University on Wednesday on the varsity campus at Raisan in Gandhinagar.
Urging the fresh passouts of the university to not to forget the role of several underprivileged people like sweepers and tea vendors in shaping up their career, chief minister Narendra Modi, the guest of honour at the function, appealed them to play a strategic role in fighting energy crisis. Chief guest APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, delved into opportunities in energy sector with special reference to unconventional energy and the importance of research and development in the automobile sector in collaboration with academic institutions.
Former president APJ Abdul Kalam and Chief Minister Narendra Modi arrive on Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University campus
Sporting cream robes, Kalam and Modi stepped into the convocation venue at 5.50 pm sharp. A saffron brigade, not Sanghis but passouts sporting saffron gowns, followed them. As the procession entered the foyer, thunderous claps of energetic varsity students welcomed it.
Around seven youngsters presented Saraswati Vandana before Dr R A Mashelkar, the chairman of the varsity, who delivered the welcome address. F B Virani, the director general of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, presented the report of the university. He claimed that the varsity was gaining recognition towards building a globally skilled human resource for the hydro-carbon sector. Besides, he also lauded the vibrant and active student body of the varsity.
The report read out, the first batch of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University were awarded degrees. Around 117 students received their degrees as claps of their juniors reverberated in the hall. Since students were called to the dais alphabetically, Ahana Gupta was the first to be honoured with the degree. Six passouts, including Sawar Kiran Tyagi, Ravindra Trivedi, Amit Kumar Mondal, Nitish Mukesh Parekh and Anumita Gupta were awarded medals for excelling in academics.
After students were awarded degrees and medals, Modi took the centre stage. Addressing the gathering, he stressed that human resource was as important as energy source in the power sector. Wishing the passing out students a successful career, he shared with the audience his dream of making Gujarat a force with reckon with in the academic world. Saying that a National Law University would come up beside the Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University campus, Modi said the both could pave the way for an international energy and law university by offering some common course. He also urged the youth brigade of the country to make Gujarat their Karmabhumi. Thunderous applause followed.
Enter Kalam, still young and energetic in soul. “Friends, good evening,” he said before asking the passouts if they wanted to be employers or employment seekers. Finding most of the passouts interested in generating jobs, Kalam shared his thoughts on “Capacity building for energy independence”. He stressed the need of bio-fuel for energy independence and strengthening rural economy. He said cultivation of jatropha and algae for bio-fuel would help farmers enhance their earnings. Finally, expressing his views on leadership skills, Kalam said: “A leader must have courage to take decisions and his every action should be transparent.”
That was enough for the youth brigade to give the missile man a standing ovation. Source: AhmedabadMirror.com
http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=3&contentid= 2009052820090528025634336fa2841fd§xslt=&pageno=1
