University of Pamplona Chapter of the Switch Energy Club

The University of Pamplona (Colombia) chapter of the Switch Energy Club was recently honored as the first place winner in the Sustainable Development in Energy Projects Contest sponsored by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists – Latin America and Caribbean Region (AAPG). The contest promotes the development of science and technology in the energy field focusing on sustainable development and highlighting social, environmental and economic impact.

The UP Switch Energy Club worked with the U’wa indigenous community in Northeast Colombia in developing a plan to: (i) install solar energy for the U’wa people, (ii) train members of the community in the maintenance and use of the equipment, and (iii) develop micro craft businesses to boost the economy without losing the community’s identity. UP’s project video can be viewed here.

In addition to winning the top prize in the AAPG contest, the UP Switch Energy Club has been active in a number of other ways. They have brought an awareness of the multiple facets of energy to their campus through monthly meetings. Two of their members, Luis Gentil Sua Peñaloza and Camilo Andrés Sierra Gualdrón, traveled to Cartegena Colombia to attend ACGGP’s 1st Energy and Sustainability Summit, where they met with global experts and participated in a multidisciplinary dialogue about climate change, sustainable development and the energy transition in Colombia. SEA’s ties with the University of Pamplona run deep and include Paula Ramirez, a UP alum, who was part of the SEA team that installed solar power at the village of Gunchukwa in Northern Colombia.

Switch Energy Clubs are student-run organizations that provide members with opportunities to explore energy related topics and fields, connect with energy professionals, and participate in civil, fact-based energy discussions. If you are interested in starting a Switch Energy Club at your university, contact Bill Hays at bill.hays@switchon.org.