Abu Dhabi-UAE: 10 March 2015 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and the Toyota Motor Corporation, leaders in sustainable technologies and winner of the 2010 Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP), today named Fatma Al Showab as the first UAE national Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship recipient, reinforcing the institute’s continuing commitment to the country’s human capital development.
Engineering Systems and Management student Al Showab was selected out of 14 highly competitive applicants to become the fourth ever recipient of the prestigious two-year scholarship.
Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, TOYOTA Motor Corporation, said: “We congratulate Fatma Al Showab for being awarded the Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship. This program reflects our continuous commitment to provide training and guidance to talented youth towards achieving sustainable solutions. We are proud to be associated with a research-based institution such as Masdar Institute and support the development of sustainable technologies through this scholarship program.”
Toyota established the Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship in response to winning the Zayed Future Energy Prize in 2010. The scholarship is designed to promote opportunities for students in all of Masdar Institute’s nine Master’s degree majors to work on projects in the area of technologies for sustainable development.
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The announcement of the fourth Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholar illustrates our continuing collaboration with global leaders in innovation, with a particular focus on local human capital development. With the support of the UAE leadership, we continue to seek partnerships that will bring benefit to the UAE and wider world. We congratulate Fatma Al Showab on her selection and believe she will emulate the previous Toyota scholars and help achieve sustainable technologies through her research.”
Each year, the scholarship is awarded to a first-year student in any one of Masdar Institute’s nine MSc programs. In addition to the usual Masdar Institute benefits, the scholarship recipient is provided with a special two-week ‘Japan Experience’ arranged by the Toyota Motor Corporation.
Al Showab was selected by a panel that included Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Director, Zayed Future Energy Prize and Rabia M. Bekhazi Career Services and Alumni Affairs Manager and Acting Director of Student Affairs; Dr. Abdulla Galadari, Assistant Professor, Engineering Systems and Management, and Kevin Garvey, Lecturer and Bridie Farah, Lecturer, all from Masdar Institute.
Dr. Al-Hosany said: “The Zayed Future Energy Prize, an international prize aims at catalyzing impact, innovation, leadership and long term vision in renewable energy and sustainability sectors. We are proud to see our previous winners paying it forward to the next generation. That this new recipient is a UAE national is a great source of pride. The naming of the fourth Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholar emphasizes the role of Zayed Future Energy Prize in fostering talented youth capable of becoming future energy leaders. We hope the scholarship will additionally lead to the development of innovative solutions in renewable energy and sustainable advanced technologies. We congratulate Fatma Al Showab and wish her the best in her research.”
Al Showab’s research focuses on ‘Engineering Systems and Sustainable Management’, a field relevant to Toyota’s philosophy and the needs of global industry. She believes the opportunity will expand her professional goals and provide her with the chance to interact with renowned experts in the field.
Al Showab said: “Being selected to represent Masdar Institute as a Toyota scholar for this year is an exceptional opportunity, which I consider to be the highlight of my academic year thus far. I not only seek to benefit from what this scholarship has to offer but to contribute to its legacy of excellence by investing the skills I acquire in the progress of my country.”
Over the years, the Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship has served as a platform for promising students to seek sustainable solutions in their chosen area of research.
Three Masdar Institute students had received this scholarship prior to Al Showab. Ayoola Brimmo, chosen in October 2011 was the inaugural Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholar, while Edgar E. Samano Baca was the second scholar in 2012. Omar T. Mezher was the 2013 Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholar.
