By Our Correspondent

Austrian investor and former Goldman, Sachs & Co banker, Sir Bernd Bergmair has donated Solar Power the Enugu State University of Science and Technology and pledged to support the university’s innovation ideals with the sum of fifty-two million naira.

Bernd Bergmair made donation and pledge during the 20^th Convocation ceremony of the university in November where he became the first Austrian to received award of an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree from the institution. .

The award was conferred on him during ESUT’s 20th convocation on November 23, 2024 at the university’s main campus in Nkanu West Local Council of Enugu State.

The ESUT Vice Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, stated on Thursday that the award was in recognition of Bergmair’s achievements as an outstanding independent investor, global actor, philanthropist and a man of honour and distinction.

“The university committee has continued to observe your concrete achievements in the areas of investment, industry and innovation. We have followed your achievements with great satisfaction and noted, inter alia, that most of your areas of investments and interventions align with the vision and ideals of the founding fathers of the university. It is in recognition of this that the university has elected to appreciate your laudable efforts,” Okolie said.

He also said, “The institution resolved to award honorary degrees to distinguished personalities whose conduct, achievements and contributions to sustainable human capital development align with its vision as the foremost  university of science and technology in Africa.”

According to him, ESUT, in line with its motto, ‘Technology for Service’, pursues its goal of creating/developing, nurturing, advancing, applying and deepening autonomous technological knowledge for dealing with the demands of contemporary society.

“As a technologically-driven citadel of learning, the institution aims at driving a revolution in technological re-invention of the black race and to instigate and stimulate rapid societal transmogrification of Nigeria in particular, and the black race in general,” he said.

He said the university management had made giant strides since its inception, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with COEFA to enhance ESUT’s focus on capacity building, skills development and employability, “even as the university is pursuing an MOU with a United States provider for engineering automation.”

On his part, Bergmair donated a new 140KW solar PV system to generate up to 220 megawatt-hours annually of electricity which provides 24/7 off-grid power to the Faculty of Management Sciences.

The solar PV system, installed by Greenage Technologies, energises both Blocks A and B of the Faculty of Management Sciences of the university. It also comprises Internet infrastructure, and one year of Internet access for the faculty.

According to Greenage, the PV system comprises of an array of 140 kW mono-crystalline solar PVs. “It is designed to trap the most UV rays and is interconnected through the combiner box for maximum power tracking embedded in the synchronised inverters,” it said in a statement.

Greenage explained that the inverters, fitted with the charge controller and battery management systems, charge the synchronised lithium batteries, as well as provide AC power output to energise offices, classrooms, auditoriums and other facilities in the university.

The company added in the statement, “The solar panels are an improved technology and are rated at 140KW. Synchronous input inverters are designed to enable optimal load distribution and efficient battery usage for longer inverter and battery life. The efficient load distribution reduces the strain and depth of discharge in each battery cell.”

He is a highly respected and sought-after speaker, having delivered keynote addresses at several high-profile conferences and events.

Today, Bergmair continues to be a major player in the world of finance and business. His vast experience, expertise, and network make him a highly valued and respected figure in the industry.

As Bergmair looks to the future, he remains committed to his investment philosophy and his passion for business. With his vast experience and expertise, he is well-positioned to continue making a significant impact in the world of finance and business.