Three UAE nationals have successfully completed a Japanese summer internship program that featured visits to integrated green developments, clean-energy projects, and cultural sites.
Organized by the Japan International Collaboration Center (JICE), the internship program was supported by Chiyoda Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which provided internship experiences to three students – Abdullah Al Hinai, Fatma AlShowab and Maryam Almheiri – from 11 July to 5 August. The students gave a presentation on their experience on 9 August, which was reviewed by Dr. Mohammad Abu Zahra, Associate Professor and Head of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, and Dr. Noura Al Kaabi, Director of the Research Development Office.
Masako Kishimoto, Vice-President, JICE, said: “The Masdar Institute students enthusiastically participated in the internship program and were keen to learn about the sustainable technologies. At JICE, we feel privileged to contribute to the UAE’s efforts towards creating a knowledge-based economy through human capital development while helping to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.”
Dr. Abdullah Al Hefeiti, Acting Dean of Students and Dean of Library, Masdar Institute, said: “The collaboration with JICE benefits Masdar Institute by enhancing the learning experience of our students. We feel privileged to work with JICE in our human development efforts to create tomorrow’s industry leaders in clean energy and sustainability. We hope the internship experience will help motivate the students to seek innovations similar to the technologies currently implemented in Japan.”
Dr. Abu Zahra said the JICE internship program is unique because it provides the students with the technical knowledge while teaching them greater professionalism, work ethics and cultural values that they can apply back home and at Masdar institute.
He explained: “Being at these large industrial companies in Japan for a few weeks gave the students access to advanced technologies and development. In addition to the technical knowledge, they also learned valuable information relating to research and thinking methodologies. This will help the students in the planning and execution of their future projects.”
Maryam Ali Almheiri of the Sustainable Critical Infrastructure program interned with Chiyoda. She said the JICE internship was unique at every stage and the program gave her a chance to experience Japan in a different way. She said she would utilize all the information that the Japanese officials at Chiyoda provided to her Master’s thesis project on developing sustainable energy in Abu Dhabi and UAE.
Almheiri added: “Through my thesis research I aim to enhance the microclimate in Abu Dhabi neighborhood by using new design strategies for solar energy as well as landscape designs to reduce urban heat island effects and enhance urban comfort. This JICE internship help me to understand how to design and develop the solar technologies and increase their efficiency by using different techniques.”
Chemical Engineering student Abdullah Al Hinai interned with Mitsubishi Heavy Industry. He said he was impressed by the Japanese focus on time management and their loyalty to their work. He also felt the internship helped him understand the challenges that face commercial applications of carbon capture technologies.
Al Hinai said: “Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 targets a sustainable environment. Therefore, more research is required in carbon capture and storage technologies to make them economically more feasible on a commercial scale. I am grateful to the officials at JICE and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the internship opportunity I experienced. I also thank Masdar Institute for selecting me to be part of this Japan internship program.”
Clarence Michael
News Writer
04 September 2016
