New hydrogen energy training hub

Coventry University has teamed up with the British University in Egypt (BUE) to establish a Hydrogen Energy Training Hub.

The scheme is part of a wider project, Hydrogen Technology for a Green Future: Strengthening Transnational Education and Curriculum Development, which aims to boost greener energy use and has received £25,000 in transnational education funding from the British Council.

The university will work with industry professionals, students and academics to give them the necessary expertise in hydrogen production, storage and transport.

“The funding focused on fostering collaboration between UK and Egyptian higher education institutions,” explains Dr Jayesh Shanthi Bhavan, lecturer in Engineering Design, who led the project at Coventry University.

“The BUE was a natural partner, given its strong academic ties with UK institutions and its existing integration of hydrogen technology content within its curriculum. BUE is a strategic partner with robust academic capabilities and well-established links to both the Egyptian and UK education systems. Our collaboration is founded on a shared commitment to advancing sustainable technologies. BUE’s infrastructure, expertise and dedication to innovation make it an ideal partner for delivering this programme to students and professionals in Egypt.”

While not directly managed by the British and Egyptian governments, the initiative complements national strategies on sustainability and workforce development, and Coventry University anticipates further engagement with public sector stakeholders on both sides.

“This project aims to provide an opportunity for students, academics and industrial professionals to gain a greater awareness in emerging sustainable technologies aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Egypt Vision 2030,” says Ayman Salah Abbas, professor of Mechanical Engineering, who led the project at the BUE.

“Participation in this important project highlights the benefit of joint transnational collaboration in education and research, which is an integral part of the BUE’s strategy since its inception. I expect this project will boost partnership between both our institutions in this and in other fields.”

Alternative option

Hydrogen has been touted as a renewable alternative to natural gas, which 85% of UK homes currently rely on for electricity production. It is one of the most promising green energy options for the future.

“Hydrogen offers a clean alternative to fossil fuels and plays a crucial role in decarbonising industries such as transport, manufacturing and energy production,” says Dr Shanthi Bhavan. “Our focus on hydrogen stems from its potential to support both the UK and Egypt’s sustainability goals, while also enabling technological innovation and skills development in a rapidly advancing field.”

Industry training

As well as the project taking place at the BUE’s base near Cairo, workshops are planned at Coventry University’s city-centre campus, as well as online. Participants in this programme – referred to as ‘hydrogen practitioners’ – will engage in industry-relevant training covering hydrogen production, storage and application technologies.

The programme will include three workshops, which are expected to feature international speakers, case studies and hands-on demonstrations, where feasible.

The first was held online in April and featured four experts discussing hydrogen, energy demand, policy and associated challenges. The second workshop, in June, will be delivered in a hybrid format, combining expert talks with hands-on training sessions. The third workshop, taking place in October (also hybrid), will focus on key topics such as hydrogen storage, safety and transportation.

“The programme is designed to build theoretical expertise and participants will receive a certificate (zero credit) upon completion,” explains Dr Shanthi Bhavan. “We are also exploring routes to formally accredit the training as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) qualification.

Global collaboration

Green energy challenges are replicated worldwide, so it’s vital that solutions are co-developed by sharing expertise from across the globe to accelerate innovation, avoid duplication and ensure inclusive growth.

“This initiative is a step towards building international capacity, especially in regions such as Egypt where hydrogen can play a transformative role in energy transition,” says Dr Shanthi Bhavan. “This is an incredibly exciting project, as cleaner and greener energy sources are a vital part of everyone’s future – not just here in this country, but across the globe. “We believe that international co-operation is vital for future research projects and I hope this serves as a good first step into future collaborations between universities across the world.”

British Council support

The British Council has endorsed this project under its ‘Going Global Partnerships’ initiative, which aims to promote long-term partnerships and creative approaches in transnational education.

“It is a privilege for us to endorse this relationship,” says Heba Elzein, director of education at British Council Egypt. “At the British Council, we consider transnational education to be essential to growth, innovation and advancement. Our goal of promoting global co-operation and supporting higher education systems to create accessible transnational education is in line with partnerships like this.”

Further information

Registration for this year’s workshops at the Hydrogen Energy Training Hub have now closed. However, Coventry University’s Hydrogen Energy School offers a three-day course for those seeking to improve their understanding of hydrogen energy technologies and their role in the net zero energy system.