Bioenergy education takes off in Europe

Masters and PhD courses in bioenergy have been introduced at a lightning pace over the last five years. A 2005 study by Bioenergy NoE found that 55 out of the 60 Masters courses teaching bioenergy surveyed in Europe began between 2000 and 2005.

These new opportunities for bioenergy education and training come at just the right time to help fill some of the hundreds of thousands of jobs that will be created if bioenergy use meets the EU targets. The European Commission’s 2005 Biomass and Biofuels Action Plan predicted that at least 250,000 new jobs will be created in bioenergy by 2010 if Europe meets its targets to increase energy from biomass.

The “Bioenergy Education and Training Pavilion” offers universities a one-of-a-kind opportunity to promote their course at the 15th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition from 7-11 May 2007. It is the largest bioenergy event in the world, with over 1,200 participants from 70 countries expected to attend.

To take advantage of this offer, the programme(s) must be devoted to bioenergy, and universities simply have to:

– Reserve a place for your poster in the pavilion to Crystal Luxmore
– Provide a A0 size poster describing your activities
– Provide suitable literature for visitors to take away
Bioenergy NoE will organise and set up the stand and provide personnel to greet visitors.

The pavilion has limited exhibition space. To secure a place, any university interested in taking part should contact Crystal Luxmore – c.s.luxmore@aston.ac.uk – to express their interest by 28th February 2007.