Three-Module Course Justifies Importance of US$482.8-billion Global Water Industry
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 13 May, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it hosted a two-day course on water science and technology for 25 members of its outreach initiative, the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program.
Held at Masdar Institute, the course was led by three faculty members including Dr. Nidal Hilal, Professor – Nano-membranology and Water Technologies, Dr. Taha Ouarda, Professor – Water & Environmental Engineering, and Dr. Hassan Fath, Professor of Practice – Water and Environmental Engineering.
The enthusiasm of the YFEL members was justified by the fact that the global water market is forecast to grow from the current US$482.8 billion to US$865 billion by 2025, according to Global Water Intelligence (GWI). By region, the Middle East, Africa and Asia will be the main spots for the water business and these regions are projected to see 10% annual growth in their water markets until 2025.
The water science and technology course had three modules focusing on ‘Introduction to water science’, ‘Thermal Desalination Processes’, and ‘Main brain Quality’. The first day’s proceedings included four theory sessions, while the second day’s agenda included a tour of the Water and Environmental Engineering Laboratory at Masdar Institute.
Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director-Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “The importance and the need to preserve water resources is evident and is recognized by the UAE’s wise leadership. Launching of the international water summit at the World Future Energy Summit 2012 is an illustration of this recognition. Masdar Institute is developing water scientists through academic programs such as Water and Environmental Engineering and research in developing waste water technologies. The YFEL outreach workshop on water is timely, reflecting the importance of this to Masdar Institute and the UAE.”
Dr. Taha Ouarda hosted the first module, offering participants an overview of the water situation in the UAE, as well as an introduction to the technical issues associated to water resources estimation, analysis, planning and management. Additionally, participants were prepared for more advanced activities related to specific issues such as statistical hydrology, deterministic hydrology, or risk analysis in water resources. Holder of a PhD in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and a hydrologic engineering degree from the National Engineering School of Tunis, Tunisia, Dr. Ouarda’s area of specialization includes hydrometeorology, environmental modeling, and risk analysis.
Dr. Ouarda has also led several international projects dealing with hydro-meteorological modeling, environmental analysis and climate change impacts in water resources. Recipient of a number of prestigious awards, he is also a member of the editorial board of a number of international scientific journals such as the Journal of Hydrology and the Hydrological Sciences Journal.
In the second module, Dr. Hassan Fath introduced desalination technologies, the various processes and their integration with alternative energy resources (as solar and nuclear). Author of two filed patents in MSF-MED desalination technologies, Dr. Fath has a wide range of industrial and academic experience. He has published a book titled ‘Desalination Technology’, and is the co-author of the Encyclopedia of Desalination & Water Reuse (DESWARE), as well as the author of ‘Selections of Desalination Scientific Encyclopedia’ (now in print). He has also published over 100 papers in desalination and energy technologies, while his academic and industrial experience spans desalination and energy technology areas.
Led by Dr. Nidal Hilal, the third module focused on the global water shortages and demonstrated how the application of membrane technology can provide modern tools for further cost reduction. In addition to providing an overview of membrane separation process including membrane classifications, and challenges facing this technology, the module also comprised membrane application in water industry, including desalination.
An expert in desalination and membrane technology, Dr. Hilal is internationally recognized as a pioneer in developing and applying the force measurement capability of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to the study of membrane separation and engineering processes at the nanoscale level. He has made major contributions to discussion panels for a number of live science programs for the BBC. Dr. Hilal is a Professor in Nano-membranology and Water Technologies at Masdar Institute. He obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering and a DSc in Nanotechnology and membrane separation from the University of Wales.
Through organizing various specialized workshops and events, the YFEL program helps students and young professionals to develop professional and work-related skills. The YFEL 2012 program has 167 members. Led by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the pre-eminent YFEL program aims to nurture future leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges in advanced energy and sustainability.
