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Masdar Institute Faculty to Lead Panel Discussions at Asia Future Energy Forum 2012 in Singapore

September 21, 2018

Sessions to Highlight Innovation and Smart Technologies in Asia

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 20 October, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced its faculty will lead two key sessions to mark participation in the Asia Future Energy Forum & Exhibition (AFEF) 2012 in Singapore.

A leading global energy event in the Asian region, AFEF will be held from 22-24 October at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, in Singapore. The event offers a world-class platform, in one of the most dynamic regions in the world, for the promotion of leading-edge sustainable energy governance, business, investment, finance, and technology that enable the smart delivery of clean energy solutions.

AFEF, organized in association with Masdar, is part of a collaborative initiative to bring the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) experience internationally to Asia. The future energy forum is an international event that began in Europe and now comes for the first time to Singapore in Asia.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “AFEF 2012 serves as the most appropriate forum for Masdar Institute to showcase our research highlights. The research path has helped Masdar Institute to lead in innovation and generate IPs in clean energy. In the UAE, we lead in patent filings that cover six research areas such as health, wind, solar, smart grid smart building (SGSB), telecommunications and microsystems. We thank the UAE leadership for their support that facilitated our substantial achievements. During the event in Singapore, our faculty will effectively lead discussions at various panels to highlight our role in human capital and knowledge development.”

Reiterating the status as thought leaders and knowledge-builders in the core areas of solar energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS), energy efficiency, water, waste management and sustainable building, Masdar Institute will showcase its role in human resource development, especially through R&D and in developing future technologies. Moreover, Dr. Steve Griffiths, Executive Director, Institute Initiatives, and Professor of Practice, and Dr. Scott Kennedy, Dean of Research, will drive discussions at the forum.

Dr. Steve Griffiths will be offering an overview of sustainable energy innovation opportunities in the clean energy and advanced technology areas on 24 October at AFEF Innovation Panel-‘Impact of Innovation in Asia’ that will be moderated by Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director, Zayed Future Energy Prize, and Director-Sustainability, Masdar. Dr. Scott Kennedy will be part of the panel on ‘Bioenergy – Success and Outlook in Asia’ that is scheduled for 23 October. The panel will be moderated by Per Dahlen, Chair, Globalization Committee, Sustainable Energy Association, Singapore.

Dr. Griffiths earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT and his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Prior to joining Masdar Institute, Dr. Griffiths was the Executive Director of the MIT Technology and Development Program’s MIT/Abu Dhabi Program and the founding Executive Vice-President of Light Pharma Inc. Consistent with his current role at Masdar Institute, Dr. Griffiths additionally serves on research and innovation committees outside of Masdar Institute, including the Emirates Solar Industry Association (ESIA) Executive Committee as Research Director, Abu Dhabi Science, Technology and Innovation R&D Taskforce, and the Zayed Future Energy Prize Selection Committee.

Dr. Scott Kennedy, Dean of Research is additionally an Associate Professor in the Engineering Systems and Management program at Masdar Institute. He received his Doctorate in Engineering Science, as well as his S.M. in Applied Math, from Harvard University. He received the John and Fannie Hertz Fellow award in 1998.

Dr. Kennedy’s research and teaching interests cover the use of quantitative and qualitative system analysis techniques to investigate complex sociotechnical systems.  He has a strong interest in understanding links between energy, natural resources, technology, and poverty; and in creating systems/conditions/policies for reducing poverty through improved access to energy and technology. 

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.