Schneider Electric picks Energy University Hero

Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, picked its first Energy University Hero in Saudi Arabia, through a nationwide competition that attracted more than 680 students and engineers during the first half of 2013.
The quarterly initiative seeks to award exemplary participation in the company’s self-learning virtual program, Energy University.
Since its regional inception in 2011, Energy University has witnessed unparalleled growth with registrations across the Gulf increasing by 105 percent with 2,057 new users.
The educational platform Energy University offers more than 150 online courses in energy efficiency and data center management focusing on infrastructure, industry, buildings, residential developments, and networks.
Recognizing the need for catering to a largely Arabic speaking population, Schneider Electric rolled-out 10 courses in Arabic with plans to offer 15 additional courses in the language by end-2013.
Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia named Anwar Parvez, a staff engineer, the first Energy University Hero.
Parvez successfully completed 31 courses over a span of 27 days with a perfect overall score of 100 percent to claim the prestigious title.
Parvez also received an iPad mini and the opportunity to appear on Schneider Electric’s social media and PR channels.
Ahmad Al-Rashoud, VP, retail, Schneider Electric, said: “Energy University is our key tool for achieving our objective of empowering the community to better address the global challenges of energy and sustainability. Anwar Parvez’s performance is quite extraordinary, and we congratulate him on his success. We hope that his achievement will motivate other students to stay connected and work toward clinching the title of Energy University Hero.”
Courses completed by Parvez covered key energy fundamentals including efficiency, audit, issues, statistics, finance, procurement, conservation, and adoption of green practices.
Parvez said: “This was one of the most intensive learning experiences I have ever had. My overall knowledge of the energy domain has increased significantly since completing the course. I am thankful to Schneider Electric for providing a platform to hone and diversify professional skills from the comfort of my home or office and most importantly, at my own pace.”
Designed around self-paced learning, Schneider Electric’s Energy University courses, which are open to all those wishing to learn and add to their knowledge base are free and last not more than an hour, allowing users to take the courses anytime and anywhere. The curriculum aims to provide anyone involved in the decision-making, management, planning, design, or construction of a space impacted by energy with a level of expertise to address efficiency issues and apply safe, reliable and cost-effective measures.
Schneider Electric’s recently launched Professional Energy Manage (PEM) certification developed in cooperation with the acclaimed Institute of Energy Professionals (IEP), the longest running energy education program in the United States, gives energy-focused individuals an exciting new option for earning a highly marketable and respected credential in energy management.
Since its introduction in 2009, Energy University has provided industry-leading, vendor-neutral energy efficiency education to more than 130,000 professionals worldwide.