the texas a&m energy institute is joining the massachusetts institute of technology energy initiative (mitei) and the stanford precourt institute for energy to support implementation of the department of energy-led us clean energy education & empowerment (c3e) program to advance womens participation and leadership in clean energy as a proud aggie i am thrilled to see my alma mater joining this important effort to encourage women to lead the way to our energy future said secretary rick perry with this type of collaborative effort by such distinguished institutions our energy workforce will continue to expand beyond measure the new collaboration with the texas a&m energy institute will broaden the geographic reach and diversity representation of the united states c3e program and help further promote womens leadership in the energy sector at the texas a&m energy institute we are dedicated to discovering energy solutions that improve the quality of life for all peoples said dr stratos pistikopoulos interim co-director and deputy director of the texas a&m energy institute through a partnership within the clean energy education & empowerment (c3e) initiative we believe that we can effect positive change that will bring awareness and recognition to the significant role that women play in conceiving designing and implementing a clean energy future for texas the united states and the world key elements of the us c3e program include the c3e ambassadors senior leaders who serve as role models and advocates for women in clean energy and the annual c3e women in clean energy symposium designed to help women in the clean energy sector build the skills and professional networks needed to succeed many participants say that the symposium inspired them to take the next step in their careers whether by taking on a new leadership role or starting a clean energy business each symposium honors winners of the c3e awards which recognize the outstanding leadership and achievements of mid-career women working to advance clean energy c3e awards are given in eight categories: advocacy business education entrepreneurship government international law and finance and research over the past six years doe and mitei have collaborated on the planning and implementation of the annual awards program and symposium with the stanford precourt institute for energy joining the collaboration in 2016 that responsibility will now be shared with the texas a&m energy institute which will host the event on a rotating basis and host this years ambassadors retreat the seventh annual symposium will be held at stanford university in december 2018 and the eighth symposium will be at texas a&m in 2019 mitei is thrilled for texas a&m energy institutes collaboration in the us clean energy education & empowerment program said mitei executive director martha broad their support will help even more women advance and achieve recognition for their clean energy careers while expanding the vibrant c3e network c3e recognizes that the ideas and talents of all members of society are essential to meeting our future energy challenges and that more womens participation and leadership is key to realizing that future said dr sally benson co-director of stanfords precourt institute for energy texas a&m energy institute joining in this work is a major advance and im delighted to have the aggies as partners