UNESCO Chair on Climate Change Resilience and Sustainability

About the Chair

Professor Izael Pereira Da Silva is a renewable energy specialist with over 20 years of experience in research and academic leadership. He is a Professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Strathmore University where he also spearheads the UNESCO/UNITWIN chair on climate change resilience and sustainability.

He holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Science (MSc) in Electrical Engineering, with a specialization in Power Systems, from the University of Sao Paulo, as well as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Electrical Engineering, with a specialisation in Power Systems and Telecommunications, from the Federal University of Parana.

A qualified engineer, he is a member of several engineering societies within and outside Africa such as the Council of Engineers in Energy Transition (CEET). He is also an Accredited Energy Auditor with Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), and a Certified Energy Manager with the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Over the years, he has worked with government ministries, development agencies (like GIZ, Sida, the World Bank, etc) and industry stakeholders (within and outside Africa) in research and research-related projects, to deepen the linkage between industry and academia.

His research interests are renewable energy, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), energy efficiency, climate change mitigation and adaptation, demand-side management, energy conversion, energy utilisation and conservation, renewable energy technologies, and renewable energy policies. He has written and published extensively in these areas.

Our Mission

To promote an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation on climate change resilience and sustainability.

Our Vision

To lead a united front of academia, government and the private sector within an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation on climate change.

The Chair’s Top Priorities

Training on decentralized energy Systems.

These programs aim to enhance knowledge and skills in the development and implementation of localized and off-grid energy solutions, promoting energy access and sustainability.

Framework for post-doctoral research projects.

This initiative encourages post-doctoral research projects related to climate change, sustainable development, and energy.

Syllabus and hands-on training on the design, installation and maintenance of solar water pumping Systems.

These resources will facilitate the training of individuals to promote the adoption of solar water pumping systems.

Training technicians and engineers to design, install and manage small-scale biogas digesters in rural areas.

This initiative aims to promote sustainable and renewable energy solutions in remote communities by conducting specialized training programs to equip technicians and engineers with the necessary knowledge and skills to design, install, and manage small-scale biogas digesters.

Curricula and training programs on the design, installation and maintenance of renewable energy-based mini-grid Systems.

To advance the implementation of renewable energy-based mini-grids, the Chair is empowering individuals with the expertise to design, install, and maintain mini-grid systems, thereby contributing to decentralized and clean energy access.

Factory energy audits and training for factory managers on climate change adaptation and efficient energy management of their industrial process.

The Chair is collaborating with industrial stakeholders to conduct energy audits in factories. Subsequently, factory managers are being trained on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies through efficient energy management.

UNESCO Chairs UNITWIN programs and activities.

The Chair is actively engaging in close cooperation with UNESCO and other relevant UNESCO Chairs within the UNITWIN scheme to align efforts and contribute to shared programs and activities related to climate change, sustainable development, and energy.