Basil challenges Unitech to find off-grid solution

THE Department of Energy will be working with the University of Technology (Unitech) to look at how to invest in power generation for off-grid consumers in village, says Minister Sam Basil, pictured.
He discussed government policies on energy with Unitech students and staff on Monday.
“I put a challenge that together with my department and the agencies that I look after, we work on promoting or creating a prototype of the self-generating generator, and other projects we think that the University of Technology can take up as a research,” Basil said.
Unitech has mechanical, electrical and communication engineering departments, plus the Department of Applied Physics.
“I want to build a relationship where we will talk about the Energy Department and what the Government is contemplating on doing in collaboration with PNG Power and every other power producer in Papua New Guinea,” Basil said.
“The University of Technology has been disconnected at the national level.
“The Energy department are the policy drivers and we would soon have one national authority established.
“With Unitech, the highest institution in Papua New Guinea, students and researchers have to know what is happening.”
Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Ora Renagi welcomed the understanding established with the Energy
Department, saying students are looking for more practical environments so that they can build small projects.
“We want to train innovative, entrepreneurial graduates,” Renagi said.
“They will only become that type of students when they do hands on experience and projects.”