Arizona State University's LightWorks is funding a comprehensive training program on renewable energy with An-Najah National University in West Bank. The first training session was on Nov. 17 in Nablus, West Bank and attendees included the Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, officials from the Palestinian Energy Authority, and university representatives including Global Institute of Sustainability Scientist Mike Pasqualetti.

"The objective of this course is to develop a comprehensive training program on renewable energy," says Sayfe Kiaei, director of Connection One and professor in ASU's School of Electrical, Energy and Computer Engineering. "The participants included representatives from energy industry, utility companies, policymakers, and energy sectors. After a one-week successful training program at An-Najah, there will be a one-week course at ASU."

Palestinian energy professionals will meet in 2014 at ASU to complete the training.