Experts Speak on ‘Human Capital Needs of Renewable and Advanced Energy Industry: Where do Opportunities Exist?’
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 19 January, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, hosted a careers event on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2012.
Organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the WFES 2012 opened on 16 January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The four-day event has gathered several heads of state, government leaders and professionals from clean energy industry to discuss, promote and debate the challenges and solutions to the world’s energy requirements.
Titled ‘Human Capital Needs of the Renewable and Advanced Energy Industry: Where do Opportunities Exist?’, the event on the Masdar Institute stand included a panel presentation and a networking reception for the participants. The event was compered by Shamma Al Jaberi, a Foundation Year student, and Kenan Jijakli, a second year Master’s student, from Masdar Institute.
High-profile speakers at the panel discussions included Morten Albaek, Group Senior Vice-President for Marketing & Customer Insights, in the wind turbine manufacturing company Vestas Wind Systems and Jay Witherspoon, Global Water Sustainability Director, Senior Fellow Odour Control & Biosolids Technologist, Vice-President, and International Technology Manager— Water & Energy Infrastructure Services at CH2MHill.
Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: ““Masdar Institute with a research-oriented academic program continues its contribution to the knowledge and human capital development in the UAE and the region. Out of the 71 students who graduated in the first batch, 14% per cent continue their doctoral studies at Masdar Institute, 7% continue in other universities while 51% have accepted employment offers. These statistics reiterate the advanced level of learning opportunities available at Masdar Institute that can launch an individual’s career in clean and renewable energy industry and sustainable technologies. We thank the country’s wise leadership for their vital support that continues to help Masdar Institute achieve bigger accomplishments.
“The need for human capital is an important factor for Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the region. Since, Abu Dhabi is driving economic diversification and the pillars also include advanced energy and sustainability to meet its renewable energy target, it will require a highly skilled work force in the field of science and engineering. Masdar Institute is contributing to this by training researchers in the areas of advanced energy and sustainable technologies – by doing so, it is also developing a culture of research and development and innovation that are the essential ingredients to sustainable economic development.”
In his presentation titled ‘Inspiring tomorrow’s leaders’, Morten Albaek said: “The energy industry has been traditionally dominated by two factors –profit and cause. However, the true solution to our global climate challenges comes in the sweet-spot between two paradigms – capitalism and humanism.
Stressing on the virtues of honesty and persistence, Albaek added: “More than 79% of the consumers would perceive a brand more positively if their prime energy source was wind and 50% of the world’s consumers are willing to pay extra for products made with renewables.”
Dr. Amy Wohlert, Executive Director, General Education and Student Affairs, said: “By engaging and networking at WFES with experts in clean energy and sustainable technologies, Masdar Institute student researchers will be able to see and hear first-hand about the trends and growth in this industry. As emerging future leaders in the field of environmental engineering, material sciences, mechanical and electrical engineering as well as computing information systems, Masdar Institute’s Master’s level graduates are ready to tackle the issues of climate change and energy security. They have gained the expertise to develop solutions through an interdisciplinary approach that requires real time research.”
Established in 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.
