A delegation from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) successfully participated in the second international training program on “Smart Renewable energy” under the SOHO Erasmus+ Project, hosted by Politecnico di Milano, Italy, as part of the project's capacity-building activities. The AIUB SOHO team was led by Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro Vice Chancellor, AIUB, and comprised Prof. Dr. Md. Saniat Rahman Zishan, Director, Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Chowdhury Akram Hossain, Head, Department of Computer Engineering; and Mr. Abir Ahmed, Special Assistant, Faculty of Engineering.

The intensive five-day training program brought together participants from partner institutions in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Europe with the objective of strengthening technical knowledge and practical competencies in renewable energy technologies, particularly photovoltaic (PV) systems, to support sustainable development initiatives. The program provided an excellent platform for academic exchange, international collaboration, and hands-on learning through lectures, laboratory sessions, practical exercises, and group-based activities conducted by distinguished faculty members and researchers from Politecnico di Milano.

The training commenced with an introductory session on electrical quantities, delivered by Dr. Alessandro Niccolai, who provided participants with the fundamental electrical concepts essential for understanding renewable energy systems. This was followed by an insightful lecture by Prof. Sonia Leva on photovoltaic systems, where participants gained a comprehensive overview of solar energy technologies, PV system components, operating principles, and the growing role of photovoltaic energy in achieving global sustainability goals.

To complement the theoretical sessions, Mr. Alejandro González Moreno facilitated an intensive practical training session in the SolarTechLab, where participants gained firsthand experience with laboratory equipment, photovoltaic modules, measurement instruments, and experimental procedures related to solar energy technologies. The laboratory activities enabled participants to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications and enhanced their technical understanding of PV system operation and testing.

The program continued with sessions conducted by Prof. Dr. Emanuele Giovanni Carlo Ogliari on performance analysis of photovoltaic systems and the preliminary design of PV systems. These sessions introduced participants to techniques for evaluating system efficiency, identifying performance indicators, and designing photovoltaic installations based on energy demand and site-specific requirements. Participants also explored practical approaches to optimizing PV system performance under varying environmental conditions.

The economic aspects of renewable energy projects were addressed through sessions conducted by Dr. Nicoletta Matera on the methodologies for the economic assessment of photovoltaic systems. Participants were introduced to financial evaluation techniques, including investment analysis, cost-benefit assessment, and economic feasibility studies for photovoltaic projects. These sessions highlighted the importance of integrating technical performance with economic sustainability in renewable energy planning and decision-making.

Subsequently, Mr. Michael Wood conducted a practical session on the estimation of photovoltaic (PV) producibility using open-access tools, enabling participants to evaluate the energy generation potential of solar installations based on geographical and environmental parameters. The hands-on exercise provided valuable experience in utilizing freely available digital resources for assessing PV system performance and feasibility.

An important component of the training involved collaborative group activities, where participants from different partner institutions applied the methodologies, analytical tools, and design approaches learned throughout the program to country-specific case studies. Working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, participants evaluated practical renewable energy scenarios and proposed appropriate photovoltaic solutions considering technical, environmental, and economic factors. The training concluded with group case study presentations, during which each team presented their analyses and recommendations, followed by constructive discussions and expert feedback. Participants also completed a written assessment to evaluate their understanding of the concepts and methodologies covered during the intensive training program. Following the written assessment, the participants had the opportunity to visit the Sustainable Simulation Lab at Politecnico di Milano under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Michela Longo and her research team. During the visit, the delegation was introduced to the laboratory's ongoing research activities focusing on sustainable energy systems, smart energy management, digital simulation, and advanced modeling techniques for renewable energy integration.

At the end of the training, a dinner at a local restaurant was arranged by the organizer from Politecnico di Milano which was attended by Dr. Vladimir Tanasiev, Coordinator, SOHO Erasmus+ Project.

The successful participation of the AIUB delegation in the training program at Politecnico di Milano reflects the university's continued commitment to internationalization, academic excellence, and the promotion of sustainable technologies through global collaboration. The knowledge and practical experience gained in photovoltaic systems, renewable energy assessment, and sustainable engineering practices are expected to contribute significantly to future teaching, research, and innovation initiatives at AIUB, while further strengthening the university's partnerships within the Erasmus+ SOHO Project.