KU Affairs

A String of Research and Collaboration Launches Lined Up for UAE Innovation Week

September 21, 2018

A string of research and collaboration launches and initiatives are being lined up as Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is gearing up to mark the UAE Innovation Week from 22-28 November 2015.
 
Masdar Institute’s activities will highlight its dedication to furthering the goal of national innovation as directed by the UAE National Innovation Strategy, which is aimed at making the country one of the most innovative nations in the world within the next seven years. The week of events will seek to build awareness and engage the country’s youth in key innovative sectors.

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “We are keen to play our part in the UAE Innovation Week that aims to honor the achievements of the entire country. We believe events like this will further strengthen the resolve of our youth to identify and achieve sustainable solutions and we hope Masdar Institute’s Innovation Week activities serve to cement our status as one of the research institutions that is driving innovation in the country.”
 
As a leading research-oriented institution pursuing innovative solutions, Masdar Institute has lined up several activities to emphasize its commitment to advancing research and development focused on innovation for the UAE Innovation Week. These include a collaboration agreement with the national airline Etihad Airways, a new partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW), the launch of the Masdar Institute Solar Platform and the launch of the region’s first research facility dedicated to applied research in automation, manufacturing and materials. Masdar Institute will also be announcing the awarding of an international prize by one of its PhD students, and an Innovation Zone that will be set up on campus to highlight select ongoing research projects.

Some of the projects on display at the Innovation Zone were directly inspired by the Masdar Institute research centers (iCenters). Led by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iInnovation), Masdar Institute’s four core research centers – the Institute Center for Energy (iCenter), the Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater), the Institute Center for Microsystems (iMicro) and the Institute Center for Smart Sustainable Systems – serve to organize and focus Masdar Institute’s many research projects according to their relevance to the UAE’s strategic goals and interests. Masdar Institute also has four other sponsored research centers that have been established in collaboration with external stakeholders including leading government and private sector organizations.
 
The Masdar Institute Open Day 2015 will also be organized during the week to encourage the university students to be more involved in science and technology innovations. The event will help accelerate the UAE’s efforts to develop highly-skilled human capital, which is a critical component to the country’s knowledge economy transition and National Innovation Strategy.

Since inception, Masdar Institute has been pioneering innovation in renewable energy and advanced technologies in sustainability. Its students and faculty continue to develop advanced sustainable technology innovations that seek to address the region’s challenges. These innovations have resulted in a steady stream of achievements, patents, awards and collaborations.

Currently, the research-based institution has six issued US patents, 54 active pending patent applications and 112 invention disclosures. The 2015 US News and World Report rankings has placed Masdar Institute first in the ‘Field-Weighted Research Citation Impact’ category among 91 Arab region universities.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
18 November 2015