Enthusiastic Participation Reflects Students’ Strong Interest in Masdar Institute’s Outreach Initiatives and Academic Programs
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 12 October, 2011 – Officials from Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainability, held a one-day workshop for the students of Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research to highlight the programmes offered exclusively for UAE national graduates.
The visit to Khalifa University marks the first of a series of presentations that are scheduled by the Public Affairs department team and designed to attract talented UAE national graduates to the Masdar Institute and offer them the opportunity to be part of innovations in the renewable and sustainable energy technologies. It also reflects Masdar Institute’s mission as a world-class educational institution that is committed to indigenously developing future leaders and critical thinkers in science and technology.
The presentation led by Dr. Kenneth Volk, Outreach Manager, and Hessa Al Shehhi, Student Enrollment Officer, aimed to raise awareness of the dedicated programs and opportunities such as the Foundation Program for the UAE nationals and the Outreach Program. A total of 32 students from Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research enthusiastically participated in the event to learn more about the programs.
The Foundation Program offered by Masdar Institute is designed to help expand the knowledge required to undertake graduate level courses at Masdar Institute and enable them to meet the core degree requirements. Providing students with an opportunity to review the principles that underlie the academic program of their choice, it also prepares them for two years of advanced studies in one of the eight Master of Science (MSc) programs.
On completion of the Foundation courses, Masdar Institute offers students an optional summer practical experience program on integrated energy systems and sustainability at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, which is designed to stimulate their minds and broaden their perspectives on current clean energy and sustainability issues.
In addition, Masdar Institute has a number of outreach programs that aim to help Emirati students develop keen awareness and appreciation of environmental, energy and sustainability issues. The programs guide students to gain the academic skills, talents and dispositions necessary for graduate education and eventual employment in these challenging areas.
Masdar Institute outreach programs also target the international community and work towards raising awareness on climate change and sustainability among international students and other interested groups and individuals, and engage them in finding practical solutions to such global issues.
The Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) is one of the major outreach programs that bring together talented UAE youth and global industry leaders to discuss current issues and the future of energy in coordination with the annual World Future Energy Summit held in January in Abu Dhabi. International students and young professionals also take part in the program.
Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “The visit to Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research is part of our overall efforts to highlight Masdar Institute’s role in offering guidance and empowering the UAE national graduates through partnership with local universities. The enthusiastic response to our presentation vindicates the world-class facilities and cutting-edge research we provide to the UAE nationals in collaboration with renowned academic institutions. We are confident most of the students will take advantage of our offerings and adequately equip themselves for the demands of their future career.”
She added: “The visit was also part of our strategy to offer Emirati students the right avenues through Masdar Institute. We hope to see students from Khalifa University at our campus to pursue their ambitions in research and higher education.”
The centerpiece of Masdar City, one of the carbon-neutral and sustainable cities in the world, Masdar Institute provides students an unparalleled opportunity in the entire spectrum of research, from theory to applied research to commercialization in a single location. With its state-of-the-art amenities for research and development in clean technologies, it aims to help drive economic diversification through human capital and technological innovation.
