SOLTRAIN Student Project Support Scheme: A supervisor's perspective

Submitted by Dr. Tobias Bader
Published 4 years, 2 months ago

As a lecturer for Energy and Industrial Engineering at Botswana University of Science at Technology (BIUST), it was my honour to supervise Mr Modie Orapeleng, who was granted a bursary from SOLTRAIN’s Student Project Support Scheme in 2020, funded by the Austrian Development Agency. 

In his Bachelor thesis, Modie conducted research on problem solving and optimisation of a large solar-thermal plant for hot water provision for 1 880 students accommodated on the university’s campus, and the SOLTRAIN funding provided an opportunity for him to further pursue his research interests in solar thermal applications in Botswana and to conduct a study entitled “Potential analysis for solar thermal systems in the health sector”.

Through the scheme, students deepen their technical knowledge and gain a unique opportunity to work in a self-organised manner on a challenging topic, while keeping the deadlines of an international donor. It is also a great opportunity to get acquainted with a Masters-level topic relevant to applied solar thermal science whilst addressing energy and climate challenges in the student’s home country, and it provides a good platform for further studies at the Masters level.

The acquisition of data in a country like Botswana is a challenging endeavour. Published information is often not available online and official permits are needed from the respective Ministries and administration. Such bureaucratic challenges further impacted the field research.

These challenges were also compounded by COVID-19 restrictions, making it extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to visit clinics and hospitals. The closure of the university also interrupted the academic calendar, and Modie had to conduct the study from his home village with limited internet connectivity and related difficulties.

Based on my supervision experience, I would suggest, that future recipients hold a number of online-presentations to a panel consisting of SOLTRAIN partner country representatives, supervisors and bursary recipient peers. These engagements could be timed to coincide with milestones such as intermediate and final reports.

 Tighter alignment with academic calendars and a deeper exchange with supervisors around topics might create further capacities with academic staff within the region and could eventually lead to the inclusion of experts within the SOLTRAIN community as external supervisors. Such a process would foster deeper research and collaboration relationships and provide a solid framework for future research opportunities and co-publishing.

The SOLTRAIN project is a wonderful and unique experience for our students, and has the potential to be developed even further. We highly appreciate SOLTRAIN and the support of the whole project team. Ke a leboga! Danke!
 

SOLTRAIN+ Bursary – Call closed by end of July 2025

SOLTRAIN+ Bursary – Call closed by end of July 2025

We would like to announce that the rolling call for the next awarding of the SOLTRAIN+ bursary will be closed …

1 week ago

Monika Spörk-Dür

SADC Utilisation Training Workshop on Solar Systems and Components - Lilongwe, Malawi

SADC Utilisation Training Workshop on Solar Systems and Components - Lilongwe, Malawi

The first SOLTRAIN+ SADC Utilisation Training Workshop for Experts and Professionals was successfully held from 07–08 April 2025 in Lilongwe, …

1 week ago

Selma Festus

Accelerating Energy Security in Southern Africa: Key Highlights from the 2024 SADC Sustainable Energy Week

Accelerating Energy Security in Southern Africa: Key Highlights from the 2024 SADC Sustainable Energy Week

The SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), in collaboration with Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy and …

1 week ago

Selma Festus

The 8th SOLTRAIN+ Conference in Botswana – A Resounding Success

The 8th SOLTRAIN+ Conference in Botswana – A Resounding Success

The 8th SOLTRAIN+ conference, hosted by the Clean Energy Research Centre University of Botswana, a memory gathering of enthusiastic energy …

1 week ago

Kevin Nwaigwe

Training on Solar Heat for Industrial Processes in Harare, Zimbabwe and CAFCA Technical Tour

Training on Solar Heat for Industrial Processes in Harare, Zimbabwe and CAFCA Technical Tour

A specialized training course for experts and professionals entitled Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP) for Industry & Commerce was …

1 week ago

Samson Mhlanga

Joint SOLTRAIN+ / IEA SHC Task 69 ‘Solar Heat for 2030’ Week from 23-26 September 2025

Joint SOLTRAIN+ / IEA SHC Task 69 ‘Solar Heat for 2030’ Week from 23-26 September 2025

In Windhoek SOLTRAIN+ and the IEA SHC Task 69 are joining forces for a full week of activities on the …

1 week ago

Monika Spörk-Dür

The Experimental Setup of a Side-by-Side Solar Water Heating System at The Namibia Energy Institute Reaches Commissioning Stage

The side-by-side comparison of three solar water heating technologies being installed at the premises of Namibia Energy Institute (NEI) at …

1 week ago

Joseph Shigwedha

NUL-ERC & SOLTRAIN+ lead Lesotho’s Solar Revolution

NUL-ERC & SOLTRAIN+ lead Lesotho’s Solar Revolution

As Lesotho is stepping into a brighter, greener future, the SOLTRAIN+ Project and the Energy Research Centre (ERC) at the …

1 week ago

Palesa Nkaile

Enhancing Municipal Energy Efficiency: CRSES and City of Cape Town Collaborate on Renewable Solutions for Indoor Heated Swimming Pool

Enhancing Municipal Energy Efficiency: CRSES and City of Cape Town Collaborate on Renewable Solutions for Indoor Heated Swimming Pool

The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at Stellenbosch University is collaborating with the City of Cape Town’s …

1 week ago

Dr. Francois Rozon

Exciting Opportunity for Postgraduate Students: SOLTRAIN+ Rolling Bursary Calls

Exciting Opportunity for Postgraduate Students: SOLTRAIN+ Rolling Bursary Calls

SOLTRAIN+ is offering support for twenty master’s or PhD theses dedicated to the topic of renewable heating and cooling and …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

Selma Festus