(FAEM –Nepal): The Past, Present and Future
Dr. Narayan P. Chaulagain
Flensburg Association for Energy Management – Nepal Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Flensburg Association for Energy Management Nepal is an association of Nepalese alumni of the UniversityofFlensburg, Germany established in 2004. It is registered as a non- governmental organization under the Association Registration Act of Nepal. Currently, it has 41 members in it. It is an independent, service oriented institution established to bring both former and current Nepalese students from the German university together under one umbrella to work towards sustainable energy management solutions. It also closely coordinates with Nepalese alumni associations of other German universities for sectoral development. The members of this organization hold important positions in the Nepalese government institutions; international development organization like Asian Development Banks, United Nations Development Programme, German Development Cooperation –GIZ;
international non-governmental organizations; national/international consulting companies;
universities and academic institutions; renewable energy industries; construction and manufacturing sector etc. Its members are playing a prominent role in energy and environment planning and sustainable development of Nepal.
Key Words: Flensburg, Appropriate rural technology, Energy and environment management, Sustainable energy systems, Nepalese alumni of German universities
1 Background
The first Nepalese graduates of the University of Flensburg were from the Appropriate Rural Technology and Extension of Skills (ARTES) of the University in the year 1996. The alumni organization as a non-profit was registered in 2004 by when there were already 15 graduates to establish as a common forum of all the graduates. The objectives of the alumni organization, which was named as Flensburg Association for Energy Management Nepal (FAEM Nepal) are as follows:
● Initiate, improve and strengthen networking, understanding, support and solidarity among Nepalese students who have studied at Flensburg University
● Establish a continuous institutional relationship with Flensburg University and other universities offering graduate and postgraduate courses in renewable energy and sustainable development in Germany.
● Establish contacts, exchange information, experiences and knowledge with similar alumni associations in other countries.
● Advocate/lobby for energy access to all on right-based approach.
There was long discussion and creative debate before we came to the conclusion of naming it as it was accepted. The alumni members involved during its establishment agreed on the following principles while naming it:
● Identity of Flensburg
● Energy management, which was the main focus at that time
● Thinking that similar alumni institutions could be formed in other countries with the same name ,e.g. FAEM India, FAEM Indonesia, FAEM Bangladesh etc. as well as FAEM International. FAEM Nepal was the first alumni organization of its kind of the University of Flensburg by then.
Ultimately, it was agreed to name the alumni organization as Flensburg Association for Energy Management Nepal (FAEM Nepal) and registered at the Office of District Administration Kathmandu as per the Association Registration Act of Nepal in 2004.
2 Current Status
Currently, there are 41 members in the organization. The first ones graduated in 1996. The highest number was 5 in 2004 and there was none in 1997 and 1998 (see Fig 1) . Otherwise, there is a regular increase in the number of alumni.
● FAEM-Nepal is also an institutional member of the German Asian Alumni Network for Energy and Sustainability (GANES) registered in India as a charitable trust.
● FAEM- Nepal is an founding institutional member of German Alumni Association in Nepal (GAAN) , an umbrella organization of all German alumni in Nepal.
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The alumni members consist of the graduates of 3 different study programmes of the University of Flensburg, viz. Appropriate Rural Technology and Extension of Skills (ARTES), Sustainable Energy Systems and Management (SESAM) and Energy and Environment Management (EEM). The majority of the existing membership base is made from SESAM stream (see Fig 2).
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3 Field of Activities of FAEM Nepal
FAEM Nepal has been providing expert services to national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations in the field of e
nergy planning and management;
energy governance; rational use of energy; energy efficiency; energy audit; energy and climate change. Some of the exemplary activities which FAEM Nepal can carry out are
as followings:● Conduct studies in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency and environment management
● Publish reports, bulletins and sensitization materials.
● Organize workshops, seminars orientations and trainings on renewable energy and sustainable development.
● Provide consultancy services to individuals, institutions and agencies on different aspects of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and sustainable development such as energy development and management, human resource development, environment management, planning and policy making.
● Provide counseling services to Nepalese students seeking higher education in Germany particularly at the University of Flensburg.
● Facilitate transfer of knowledge and technology related to renewable energy systems and management between north and south.
3.1 Past Alumni Events organized by FAEM Nepal
FAEM Nepal has so far successfully organized three alumni events jointly with the University of Flensburg through the financial support from DAAD as follows:
3.1.1 National Seminar on the Role of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development Agenda of Nepal
The 3-day seminar was conducted in Kathmandu in May 2004. The main objective of the seminar was to create linkages between renewable energy promotion and sustainable development. The event was attended by representatives from Flensburg University, its alumni in Nepal and national/international stakeholders in renewable energy and sustainable development sectors from Nepal. The seminar also focused on highlighting the “Sustainable Development Agenda for Nepal (SDAN)” formulated by the Government of Nepal. Important interactions were held on how the alumni of Flensburg University could play a contributing role in achieving the sustainable development agenda of Nepal.
3.1.2 South Asian Regional Seminar on Renewable Energy for Sustainable
Development
This 5-day seminar was held in Kathmandu and Pokhara in May 2008. The Flensburg University alumni from both South Asia and Asia Pacific regions participated in the seminar.
Similarly, renewable energy experts from different national and international agencies working in Nepal also participated in the workshop. The main aim of the seminar was to enhance networking between Flensburg University alumni working in the renewable energy and environment sector in the region. The main part of the financial support for the program was contributed by DAAD. The findings of the workshop were fruitful for academicians and development practitioners in Nepal as well as abroad. This seminar was also productive to further strengthen the alumni network with Flensburg University.
3.1.3 International Workshop on Scaling Up Renewable Energy towards Reducing Climate Change Impacts
The 4-day event was held in Kathmandu and Nagarkot in October 2013. The main objectives of the workshop were to exchange knowledge and ideas on successful initiatives of renewable energy promotion with linkages towards reducing climate change impacts among the participants, and to enhance networking and cooperation for future collaborations. This event was attended by 39 alumni members and representatives from Flensburg University (i.e. 22 international alumni from 14 different countries (Argentina, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, The Philippines, Swaziland, Thailand, Uganda and Vietnam) as well as 20 national alumni from Nepal along with 3 participants from Flensburg University). The workshop also encouraged establishment of Global Network of Alumni of Flensburg University as well as possible collaboration and cooperation among global alumni. The event has also helped in promoting South-South collaboration and cooperation among the alumni members.
3.2 Other Projects Conducted
Besides the alumni events organized jointly with the University of Flensburg, FAEM Nepal has accomplished a number of projects for the national and international development organizations. Some of the accomplished projects are as follows:
● A study on socio economic feasibility study for end use diversification in IWM and integration of other income generating activities around IWM sites (2005)
● A study on potential of using electricity for shallow tube well irrigation in Terai (2005)
● Orientation training to district level NGOs (2006)
● Quality verification of IWM as precondition of release of outstanding 10% subsidy for all established sites( In 2006, 2007 and 2008)
● Establishment of wind power pilot project in Pyuthan (2007)
● Lessons learnt and experience of REGDAN: Possible ways for further mutual cooperation between private and public sector (2007)
● Preparation of District Energy Perspective Plan of Chitwan District (2010)
4 Issues and Challenges
Most of the FAEM Nepal members are full-time employed and find difficulties for alumni activities. Mostly, they are in senior positions and have greater responsibilities than being involved in alumni activities. As a non-profit organization, it is rather difficult to financially survive just on membership fee. Likewise, it is more difficult to those FAEM Nepal members, who are living outside of capital city of Kathmandu. Out of the total members, 11 members are currently living outside of Nepal and greater difficulties in participating in day-to-day activities. More alumni activities leading to the better recognition inside and outside of Nepal of the FAEM Nepal may attract alumni members into FAEM Nepal activities.