Lochaber's green energy projects are the focus for a group of 21 students visiting the Highlands on the international leg of their university course.
The students, who come from 12 different countries, are studying
Sustainable Energy Systems and Management at the University of Flensburg in Germany and they contacted the LEADER Network to help them find appropriate projects for their research.
Alison Boyle, project officer for the Community Economic Development
programme at Lochaber Enterprise, responded and agreed to help organise travel and accommodation arrangements as well as set up visits to the hydro electric power schemes in Knoydart and the Isle of Eigg. She also arranged for a visit to Kinlochleven to look at Biomass Heating systems.
The students and their lecturer arrived in Fort William last month for a
five-week stay and split into two groups to visit each community where they will carry out a practical research project. They have now returned to Fort William to write up a report to be presented to each community before returning to Germany.
They hope to apply the techniques they learn during their visit to gain a
better understanding of energy management and to help improve rural
livelihoods and sustain economic development when they return to their home countries.
Alison Boyle, Lochaber Enterprise said: "It is really amazing to think that
the skills and information they will learn from their visit to these small
Highland communities will be put to use in fragile countries as far away as Thailand and Vietnam. It has been a worthwhile exchange, not only for the students who will take a bit of Highland culture home with them, but for the communities who have the opportunity to swap ideas and skills."
The group's lecturer, Wulf Boie, explained the reason for coming to
Lochaber: "The geographical situation in the Highlands and Islands is
comparable to the situation in most of the students' home countries but
different enough to allow them to experience how people in other remote
areas solve their energy supply problems.
"We were also attracted by the help offered by Alison Boyle who supported our idea from the beginning. Last but not least we heard that Scottish people are very open to visitors and hospitality is a very high value.
This is an important aspect when you travel with 21 students from 12
different countries. Our students found that the local people were very
willing to answer their questions and in many cases stayed to chat after
the interviews."
Suparat Pavavicharn, a student from Thailand, said: "I loved the place. I
am completely impressed by people and the scenery here. People are very friendly, helpful and extremely open-minded."
Dot Ferguson, Highland Council Area Development Manager for Lochaber, said: "I am pleased to be working with Alison Boyle to support the students during their visit."
Issued: 11 September 2002
