Renewable energy education in engineering schools in Jordan: Existing courses and level of awareness of senior students

In this study a phased comprehensive field survey was conducted to review almost all existing study plans of various engineering disciplines at state and private universities in Jordan. In the 1st phase, a general review of existing study plans in various engineering disciplines was conducted with the aim to identify any courses offered for students related to energy efficiency and management as well as renewable energy sources and applications. In the 2nd phase, a tailor-designed questionnaire was used and distributed on a random sample of senior students at state and private universities. It included questions about the energy situation in Jordan, energy efficiency, renewable energy and utilization and applications, in addition to the general section about demographic information. Lack of awareness and shallow knowledge about energy and renewable energy technologies among senior students in faculties of engineering are identified, at present, as main results obtained in this field investigation. Without removing such obstacles, the market will remain suffer from ill-educated and trained engineers and technicians in this field. Thus, it is important that the concerned governmental institutions, in close cooperation with managements of both state and private universities, to take necessary measures to correct the situation soon. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.