12-day Residential Program Offers Scope to Learn about Cutting-Edge Research in Renewable Energy, Sustainability and Environment
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 9 July, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced 10 undergraduate engineering and science students are participating in the Outreach program ‘Ektashif’.
The 12-day residential program offers ample scope to learn about cutting-edge research in renewable energy, sustainability and the environment. An integral part of Masdar Institute’s outreach initiative, the Ektashif program has begun from 8 July.
Selective participants from different universities around the world include four from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and two from the University of Sharjah. In addition to one student each from Ajman University and the American University of Sharjah in the UAE, international institutions including Ohio State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Texas A&M have nominated one student each.
The faculty from all the eight programs at Masdar Institute program has lined up specific laboratory topics for the benefit of the participants. The subjects include ‘An introduction to Data Mining’, ‘Introduction to Digital Electronics’, ‘Use of Optical and Electron Microscopy to Study Different Materials from Micron-scale to Nano-scale’, ‘Environmental Bioprocess Modelling (EnvBioProM) Laboratory’, ‘Optical Fiber Sensing’, ‘How to Make Hard Metals Behave like Play-Dough!’, ‘Power Electronics Lab’, ‘Waste Material Characterization’, ‘Earth Observation Lab’, ‘Sustainable Energy Policy’, ‘Lit Reviews’ and ‘Reporting Data’.
Students will also participate in organized tours to industrial facilities, lectures, engineering design challenges, informational sessions about Masdar Institute programs, as well as team-building and recreational activities.
Dr Ken Volk, Head of Outreach, Masdar Institute, said: “The Ektashif program, which means ‘Explore’, provides select undergraduate students with a unique experience in sustainable engineering. They will get a comprehensive picture of how sustainable energy can be distributed and used effectively in addition to gaining a glimpse of the academic programs Masdar Institute offers for post-graduate studies. The program reflects Masdar Institute’s commitment to the UAE leadership’s measures for capacity building and knowledge development.”
During the program, students are encouraged to participate as teams of two to 10 to design or build in solving a problem. The length of the time for challenges may also vary from ‘quick’ brainteasers to more time-consuming ‘construction’ concepts. More-complex challenges may involve debating an issue or the construction of model wind turbine and may involve LEGO robotics.
Students were selected for the Ektashif program on the basis of their demonstrated interest, talent and scholastic output relating to renewable energy and/or environmental issues. The students from the engineering or science streams are also required to be among the top performers academically with a GPA of at least 3.50 on a scale of 4.00.
Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.
