The Smart Way English Kindergarten hosted a joyful and knowledge-rich graduation ceremony for its students, marked by an engaging and interactive atmosphere. The event was distinguished by the valued participation of the Energy Research Center at Al-Mustaqbal University and the College of Engineering Technologies, whose contributions added depth and inspiration to the celebration. As part of the program, the students took part in a series of educational competitions and interactive quizzes designed in a fun and simplified manner. These activities introduced the children to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the concept of renewable energy, including its various types and the positive impact it has on both the environment and society. To encourage a spirit of healthy competition, solar-powered lamps were distributed as special prizes to the students who answered questions correctly. These thoughtful gifts were generously provided by the Future Energy Sales Center, located on Street 40, as part of its ongoing commitment to community awareness and education. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the kindergarten administration expressed its deep appreciation and gratitude to the Energy Research Center and the College of Engineering Technologies for their valuable efforts and unique contributions, which enriched the event with both useful knowledge and entertaining activities. The administration further emphasized that such initiatives play a vital role in raising environmental and scientific awareness among students, while nurturing a culture of sustainability and responsibility that will positively influence their future education and lives.

Solar energy is one of the most promising renewable resources for building a sustainable future. However, the performance and reliability of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules can be significantly affected by certain manufacturing defects or issues during handling and installation. Key defects and their impacts include: • Micro-cracks: Often caused by mishandling or lamination stress. • Potential Induced Degradation (PID): Can reduce performance by up to 30% within 2–3 years. • Delamination: Moisture ingress may cause 8–10% long-term power loss. • Hot Spots: Localized heating can lead to 2–6% short-term yield loss. • Snail Trails: May reduce long-term efficiency by up to 2%. • Bubbles and voids in EVA: Moisture penetration can lower efficiency by 5–7% over time. • Glass breakage/edge chipping: Immediate rejection or field failure. Energy experts stress that ensuring proper quality control during manufacturing, transport, and installation is crucial to maximize module reliability and long-term performance. Such measures are key to advancing high-quality solar technologies, achieving maximum renewable energy output, and accelerating the global shift toward clean energy solutions.

The Al-Mustaqbal Energy Research Center continues the activities of its “Solar Energy Hackathon” training program, launched as part of its initiatives to empower students and professionals in the field of renewable energy, with wide participation from engineering students and specialists. The session featured a comprehensive introduction to solar energy, covering fundamental concepts, its importance in the global transition to clean energy, and practical applications in electricity generation and carbon emission reduction. Dr. Ammar delivered a specialized lecture on PV Syst, one of the leading global software tools used for designing and evaluating photovoltaic systems. His detailed explanation included how to use the software to estimate power output, analyze performance, and conduct technical and economic feasibility studies for solar projects. The lecture also included interactive, hands-on training, enabling participants to practice directly with the software, thereby enhancing their skills in system design and real-world problem-solving within the solar energy sector. This training is part of the broader Solar Energy Hackathon competition, which combines specialized workshops and practical sessions, ultimately leading to the design of complete solar power projects to be evaluated by a panel of experts at the final stage. The center’s administration emphasized that the goal of the program is to equip a new generation of professionals with innovative, sustainable energy solutions, while bridging theoretical knowledge with practical applications to support national and global sustainable development goals.