Manikanta Grandhi, Hélène Nguemgaing and Maher Mekky (l to r), three WVU Ph.D. candidates who completed a virtual international program hosted by the China University of Mining Technology. (Energy Institute photo)
Morgantown, W.Va. – Three West Virginia University doctoral students showed exceptional dedication this summer by attending virtual classes in the middle of the night originating from China. Why? So, they could learn more about global energy issues with a broad group of international students.
Manikanta Grandhi, Hélène Nguemgaing and Maher Mekky participated in classes hosted by the China University of Mining and Technology in Jiangsu Province. Classes were taught in English by Chinese and international instructors that focused on green energy, environmental reclamation, economic development and global relations.
The WVU Energy Institute has facilitated the university’s participation in this summer school since 2015. Normally WVU students travel to Beijing, but due to COVID, the program has been virtual for two years.
WVU administrators and mentors discuss the experiences of three Ph.D. candidates who participated in a virtual, international energy and cultural exchange program hosted by the China University of Mining Technology. (Energy Institute photo) (l to r) Richard Bajura, Hélène Nguemgaing, Maher Mekky, Manikanta Grandhi, Zhichao Liu, Annie Zeng and James Wood
Grandhi is working on his Ph.D. in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering at the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. Nguemgaing and Mekky are both earning doctoral degrees in Natural Resource Economics at the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.
Because the virtual classes originated from China, the schedule called for late night, early morning hours in Morgantown. While this might have been hard on other students, Mekky said as a husband and father of four, his usual study hours are late at night, so it wasn’t a problem. His favorite part was learning more about China’s economy and learning from international students.
Nguemgaing’s research identifies China’s market influence on rare earth metal prices and the legal considerations and risks associated with developing a rare earth metals industry in West Virginia. Her experience was similar to Mekky’s. “I particularly enjoyed the in-class discussions on China's modern economy. I listened to other students' opinions. I heard examples from Columbia, Argentina, Italy, Nigeria, Britain, etc., just from one class alone,” she said.
“Our students had a unique opportunity to engage with students from a consortium of 20 universities led by CUMT and distributed worldwide,” said Richard Bajura, director of the U.S. - China Energy Center at the Energy Institute. “This also included a similar consortium of 40 universities in the United Kingdom working with Jiangsu University. It was a great experience to prepare them for working in the international business and political sectors that will be part of their future careers.”
WVU students interested in attending the 2023 CUMT summer program should contact Bajura at Richard.Bajura@mail.wvu.edu; 304-293-6034. Rising juniors, seniors and graduate students may apply.
-WVU-
tn/09/28/22
CONTACT: Richard Bajura
Director, U.S.- China Energy Center
Richard.Bajura@mail.wvu.edu; 304-293-6034
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The U.S. China Energy Center is a program of the Energy Institute at West Virginia University.