COMSTECH training programme highlights importance of youth skill development for sustainable energy solutions
Islamabad
The COMSTECH Training Programme on “Youth Skill Development: Solar Power Solutions for Distributed Power Generation” commenced here on Monday at the OIC-COMSTECH Secretariat, bringing together young participants, experts and resource persons from Pakistan and OIC Member and Observer States.
The four-day training programme, organized under the COMSTECH Forum on Environment and Ecosystem Restoration (CFEER), aims to equip youth with practical knowledge and skills in solar power technologies, distributed generation, system design, installation, operation and maintenance.
The inaugural session was attended by Lieutenant General (R) Moazzam Ejaz, H.I., Rector National University of Technology (NUTECH) and Chairman National Technology Council Pakistan, as chief guest, along with Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, international resource persons and experts from academia and industry.
Addressing the session, Lt. Gen. (R) Moazzam Ejaz termed skill development a need of the hour and emphasized collective efforts among OIC Member States to address the energy crisis by developing indigenous capacities, strengthening human resources and effectively utilizing natural sources of energy.
He appreciated the continued contribution of OIC-COMSTECH to skill development initiatives and promotion of cooperation and knowledge-sharing among OIC Member States. He stressed that strengthening technical and professional skills among youth would help countries develop sustainable and locally driven solutions to energy challenges.
He highlighted the growing importance of solar energy and distributed power generation, particularly for countries endowed with abundant sunshine and young populations.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary welcomed the participants and international resource persons, including Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Adnan Bin Ibrahim from the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and Md. Enamul Karim Pavel, Head of Renewable Energy, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), Bangladesh.
He said the programme was designed to connect young people with renewable energy opportunities and practical skills to contribute to sustainable development.
Participants from Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, Egypt, Palestine, Iran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, The Gambia and Mauritania joined the programme physically and online.
OIC-COMSTECH is also working with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) on skills development and professional training programmes, focusing on enhancing the technical and professional capabilities of young people and creating greater opportunities for their participation in emerging sectors.
The training covers solar PV fundamentals and components, safety, solar resource assessment, off-grid, on-grid and hybrid systems, system sizing and design, net-metering, energy storage, EV integration, installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operation and maintenance.
The programme will continue until October 8, 2026, with technical sessions, practical training, field exposure and group project presentations aimed at developing a skilled youth workforce capable of contributing to the renewable energy sector and sustainable energy solutions.
