Virtual Academy. Module 1.

April 15, 2020 we started the Virtual Academy, the first stage of the Energy Challenge 2.0 project, organized by Higher Economic School of UNECON.

The first training module was held from April 15 to May 6. It was dedicated to the hindsight in order to summarize and compare the expectations and results of the major energy events and trends since the beginning of XXI.

The Virtual Academy participants started to study analytical materials and special videos. There were also the series of webinars, where professional experts from the international energy partner companies revealed important aspects of the industry development:

• April 17, Irina Mironova from PJSC Gazprom opened the program with an online session on “Major energy trends of the past 20 years that impacted the global energy market”. 
• April 24, Tatiana Krylova from Wintershall DEA talked about “Climate change mitigation and creating a sustainable development agenda”. 
• April 29, Leon Stille from Energy Delta Institute presented on topic “Molecules vs Electrons how did we get here?”
• May 5, Uwe Fip, vice-president of Uniper Global Commodities SE, made an exclusive and long-awaiting webinar “Changing energy market architecture. Rethinking the role of the midstream sector in the EU gas market”.

In addition to their presentations, speakers are always very active in the online Q&A session. Most experts have noted the depth of knowledge and competence demonstrated by the participants asking the questions.

To the end of the first module, participants also should complete a control task Challenge#1. Statement: there is a hypothetical country with some determined settings. Task: the participant needs to make and justify his strategic decision on how the country should deal with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The second module will be held at the Virtual Academy on May 7 – 27. Organizers and partners have prepared even more interesting online webinars and discussions.

According to the results of the qualification test, 270 students from 75 universities of Russia, Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America were enrolled in the Academy. The training is conducted in English on the platform of distance learning of St. Petersburg State University of Economics. In total three training modules, two control tasks, a final online conference, and an individual project from each participant are planned.

! Attention, some webinars are open to the public. Follow us on Instagram @energyouthday for project news and announcements.