Khalifa University was awarded, for the second time, the Innovative Research & Development Award at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Awards ceremony held last 29 January 2020 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
The Global Water Award is an initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to encourage research institutions, individuals, and innovators, not only from the UAE but from around the world, to help solve the water shortage problem that we are experiencing worldwide. The award is given out by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), which functions under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. It has three main categories, the Innovative Projects Award, Innovative Research and Development Award, and the Innovative Individual Award.
The Khalifa University research recognized was led by Dr. Banu Yildiz, Assistant Professor of Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering. The project is a low-cost desalination project that uses a distiller coupled with a gravity solar water heater.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council and Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, honored the 10 Global Water Award recipients. The awards ceremony was also attended by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation; and Dr. Hamad bin Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai. Directors of government departments, ambassadors, consuls general, public figures, officials from the public and private sectors, and representatives from local and international universities and research centers were also in attendance.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: “At Suqia, we are committed to working on one of the key objectives set by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives foundation, which is Humanitarian Aid and Relief by contributing to providing safe and clean water. In this regard, I thank the Emirates Red Crescent and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment for supporting Suqia in implementing sustainable water projects in 36 countries around the world, to provide drinking water for over 9 million people.”
Ara Cruz
News Writer
8 February 2020
