E-Learning Initiative launched for South Asian Energy Professionals

June 25, 2003

NEW DELHI -- A new e-learning program for professionals and adult learners involved in energy issues in South Asia was launched here today. Sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the "Environmental Impact Assessments for Energy Sector Projects" course will be available both on CD-ROM, as well as on the Internet.

Environmental and social impact assessments are key considerations in reviewing, approving and implementing energy projects. This new distance learning program provides an overview of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the social impact assessment (SIA) processes for energy projects in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It also explains some of the operational guidelines of the multilateral and bilateral financial institutions that are involved in development of energy projects in the South Asia region.

In addition to providing an understanding of the environmental impact assessment process in each individual country, this program will enable people involved in the process to understand the requirements applicable to other countries of the region.

The program has been developed by the Academy for Educational Development (AED) in association with the School of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development
(SchEMS) of Pokhara University, Nepal, under USAID's South Asia Regional Initiative in Energy (SARI/Energy) program.

To maximize outreach, the CDs will be distributed to relevant institutions, libraries, and energy sector professionals around the region and the program is also available online at (http://www.sarie-training.org/eia).