RIFE International in partnership with Robert H. Smith Business School of the University of Maryland, is participating in the Global Consulting Program sponsored by The University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business, through its Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER). RIFE and the student team began working together in August 2017 and will continue to work in partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of International Investment and Trade (OIIT) to provide global consulting expertise.
RIFE has chosen to focus this consulting opportunity on developing an energy program that aims to reduce school energy consumption in Ghana. The teams will help school authorities reduce high energy bills by developing an energy program that will make their facilities energy efficient, whiles introducing them to renewable energy alternatives. This program will help address various developmental challenges facing Ghana, including improving access to education. Data shows that higher tuition rates are a direct result of high facilities operating expenses of which energy bills tops the list; the RIFE team believes that by alleviating this energy cost burden from schools affordability and accessibility will increase. In addition, RIFE International’s work to bring sustainable energy solutions to educational facilities will increase learning time while also providing communities employment opportunities in energy efficiency implementation and training.
“This is a big initiative for us, as it addresses the core environmental and socio-economic challenges of a continent and will impact economic growth,” said Kwabena Osei-Sarpong, president and CEO. “We are proud to work in tandem with the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business on this project.”