During the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) World Energy Congress, a student chapter at the Clark School was officially chartered.

AEE is a nonprofit professional society of 9,500 members in 73 countries. Its mission is “to promote the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry and to foster action for Sustainable Development.”

The organization offers seminars (live and internet based), conferences, journals, books, and certification programs. AEE is also connected with the Foundation of the Association of Energy Engineers, which is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to furthering education in energy and management. The foundation has raised and awarded more than $480,000 in scholarships to outstanding students.

As the chapter began to form over the past two years, the group co-hosted many events with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers student chapter including lectures by distinguished speakers in the field of energy efficiency and sustainability.

Mechanical engineering graduate student and AEE member Omar Abdel-Aziz helped seek an official charter for the university's chapter from the AEE organization.

Abdel-Aziz said he believes that a student chapter would provide students with a depth of knowledge "in energy related sciences, with emphasis on renewable energy and sustainable practices in the energy sector.”

According to Abdel-Aziz, membership provides students with opportunities to learn more about the energy industry and meeting with recruiters associated with AEE.

For more information on AEE visit http://www.aeecenter.org/index.html.

By Lauren Frye, Mechanical Engineering Student Reporter

December 18, 2008