ENERGY ISSUE UPDATE IN UNITEN

In accordance to its vision to be the National Energy University, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) had conducted a public lecture on energy economics to update on the current issue on the world energy efficiency and consumption.

The lecture entitled “Japanese Experience of the Full Liberalization of Electricity & Gas Retail in Japan; Reasons, Challenges, Approaches and Impact” was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ken Koyama, a key figure in energy economics who is currently holding the post of Chief Economist and Managing Director of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ).

“The data discussed today can be analysed further to benefit industries in Malaysia. We (Institute of Energy Policy & Research, IEPRE UNITEN) can also utilize the input to spearhead research in consultancy activity,” said Prof Dr. Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha, the vice-chancellor of UNITEN in hi welcoming speech.

The public lecture series kicked off in December 2015 where Prof. Dr. Ken Koyama delivered an inaugural lecture in UNITEN, discussing about the input to the energy market regulator and governing policy, and has received full support from the Energy Commission, Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KETTHA) and Minstry of Natural Resources and Environment.

“We (UNITEN) will make this series as a patch program where renowned professors, industry players, energy experts and country decision makers are invited to participate on contemporary topics in the field of engineering economics, and IEPRE in return will be able to establish a platform to produce excellence and intellectuals in this course,” added him again on IEPRE’s role in this program.

Since its establishment in July 2008, IEPRE has been collaborating with other local and abroad institutions including Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and ASEAN Energy Market Integration to work on different focus each year. For 2016, IEPRE focuses on alternative Malaysian electricity and natural gas pricing mechanism, energy efficiency implementation in Malaysia and index study of the renewable energy and energy efficiency among others.

“In line with Malaysia’s quest to build more human capital in the field of energy economics, UNITEN in collaboration with Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KETTHA) through Akaun Amanah Industri Bekalan Elektrik offers scholarship as an initiative to attract professionals to pursue academic studies in Masters and Doctorate program in UNITEN,” announced Prof. Dr. Kamal in his speech.

The public lecture which was held in Administration Auditorium in UNITEN today had attracted more than 150 professionals, energy experts and students, and the series is scheduled to resume in August, October and December 2016.

BY: KHAIRUL IZZUDDIN SULAIMAN

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