Abu Dhabi, 15 September 2011: His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, yesterday, highlighted the importance of the contribution made by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company “Masdar” towards the development and deployment of renewable energy and clean technologies, both locally and globally.
His Highness also emphasized Masdar’s important role in adopting best practices in sustainable development, ensuring energy security and the mitigation of climate change through energy diversification.
His Highness visited Masdar on 14 September and was received by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive of Masdar.
The extensive visit began with a presentation on the business units within Masdar and the progress the units have achieved over the past 5 years, locally and globally.
His Highness then drove one of the cutting edge Masdar/ Mitsubishi electric vehicles (i-MiEV) to the campus of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MI) and he expressed his support for sustainable transport solutions that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As part of his visit to the Masdar Institute, His Highness toured the laboratories and was briefed by professors and students on the research carried out as part of their academic work. The tour included a visit to the “Clean Rooms” which are used to support the educational and research needs of the Microsystems Engineering Master’s program.
The program supports research in the areas of semiconductor devices and fabrication technologies as well as the creation of new electronic and photonic circuits. The experiments His Highness reviewed at the Masdar Institute laboratories included: a novel vacuum membrane distillation system, real-time dust detection and water quality monitoring from space.
His Highness also toured Masdar’s 10MW solar power plant, which serves to supply Masdar Institute’s energy demands.
On this occasion, His Highness said: “Because of the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, the president of UAE; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; we are confident that the UAE will continue on its steadfast path of setting ambitious goals for providing its people with all the requirements of growth and prosperity. This includes far reaching plans to ensure energy security.”
He added: “I take great pride in witnessing first-hand the impressive efforts and the high level of professionalism of Masdar. More so in Masdar’s ability, in such a short period of time, to make a name for itself in the renewable energy and clean technology sectors both locally and globally.”
His Highness also expressed pride in the number of professors and students from the United Arab Emirates at the Masdar Institute emphasizing that this is a solid step towards achieving a knowledge-based economy and gaining the necessary skills for the country’s transition from a knowledge importer to a knowledge hub and exporter.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “We were honored today by the visit of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and his interest in learning more about the projects we have undertaken to realize the directives of our leadership and turn them into reality. We are dedicated to achieving this vision of developing and deploying renewable energy and clean technology solutions and we view this as a great responsibility. What we have achieved so far is but the beginning of the road towards a long-term vision of placing Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the global energy sector.”
Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology said: “We are honored by the visit of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. His Highness’s clear interest in the research and activities conducted by the Institute is a great source of encouragement for us all.”
“Sustainability is one of the key objectives of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030. Therefore, building national human capacity in the UAE is of the utmost importance. The mission of the Masdar Institute is in line with the development goals of the Abu Dhabi Government and its long-term strategies,” Dr. Moavenzadeh added.
Dr. Moavenzadeh also expressed hope that the visit will serve to incentivize a larger focus on R&D activities and increased support for research institutions like the Masdar Institute.
He also stressed the importance of the role that the Masdar Institute is playing in achieving the long-term vision of the far-sighted leadership of Abu Dhabi.
