17. National and International Universities Community Practical Experience Academic Knowledge “ Knowledge Cycle” Bringing technical knowledge from the universities to the community and back…
27. Courses in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Grupo Fénix offers various hands-on courses and workshops throughout the year. Solar Culture Course Renewable Energy in the Developing World with Solar Energy International (SEI) Sustainability through Community with the Center for Ecological Living and Learning (CELL) study abroad program Alternative Spring Break University Courses – Univeristy of Dayton and Cornell We also tailor courses and workshops to a group´s specific needs and interests!
Realizing the precarious nature of their country’s situation, in 1996 a group of aware and enthusiastic students at the National Engineering University of Nicaragua began working with R.E. These students saw the lack of “conventional” energy sources in Nicaragua and understood that it was technology that prevented their communities from taking advantage of the abundant renewable resources. They chose the name “Grupo Fenix” receiving inspiration from the mythical bird of Egyptian sun worship, the Phoenix, which is forever renewed, and expresses the hope of these young Nicaraguans that their poor, strife-torn country would rise from the ashes of war and build an enlightened society.
The first objective of the CIPPER is to be a center of experimentation and technology transfer where outside ideas and technologies can be transferred to the community and tested against its reality. As a center of experimentation it focuses not only on the development of appropriate technology but its social integration and pays specific attention to the process and essential elements of this transfer. As a center of experimentation, the community also provides the necessary infrastructure, assistance and follow through to coherently support research efforts
Knowledge is brought from the university to the community where the ideas are applied and tested against the reality of daily life The ideas and processes of the university are perfected in the community by “local scientists” in conjunction with outside researchers Once the ideas and processes are improved, they return from the community to the university where they interact with other ideas to form new understandings These new understandings return to the community once more to be tested and continue along the knowledge cycle
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