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Masdar Institute’s Young Future Energy Leaders Program Honors Members

September 21, 2018

Certificates Awarded to YFEL Members for Successful Completion of Year-long Program

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, honored members of the Young Future Energy Leaders program for successful completion of the year-long events in 2011.

A total of 40 members received their certificates at a ceremony that was held at Masdar Institute.
Top management of Masdar and Masdar Institute including Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Hamza Kazim, Vice-President for Operations and Finance, Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Zainab Al Ali, Senior Outreach Officer and YFEL Program Co-ordinator, and other officials were also present at the award ceremony.

Following a video presentation that highlighted the accomplishments of the YFEL 2011 program, certificates were awarded to the members by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and Dr Fred Moavenzadeh. The event was also an opportunity for new YFEL members to interact with the senior members and learn about the annual schedule that helped them become more effective professionals and individuals. For the new YFEL members, the event marked the beginning of their year-long program that will help them develop into productive energy industry leaders of the future.

During 2011, the YFEL program expanded into a year-long schedule of educational courses, activities, and events. The calendar of events during the year became more engaging with the inclusion of moderated debates, participation in global forums, guided tours, an YFEL stakeholder luncheon, a dinner gathering, high-profile presentations from global leaders and students’ presentations on work and research in the areas of advanced energy and sustainability.

In addition, select YFEL members who were chosen based on research projects showcased at WFES 2011 were provided an opportunity to be part of a two-week MIT Practical experience course. A case study competition also selected 14 winners for attending the European Future Energy Forum (EFEF 2011) in Geneva. During their stay, YFEL members visited the Solar Impulse hangar on the outskirts of Geneva and were briefed on the various key features of the world’s first-ever solar-powered plane.
The 2011 YFEL program included 60 UAE National students from key universities as well as 20 young professionals from various organizations.

The year also witnessed the first-ever individual financial contribution from Emirati philanthropist Mohammed Salem Bin Kardous Al-Ameri, who donated AED1 million for the YFEL 2011 program. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) were the platinum sponsors of YFEL during 2011, while Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and Dolphin Energy were the gold sponsors.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “The completion of the annual YFEL program marks the contribution of the Masdar initiative and Masdar Institute towards fulfilling Abu Dhabi’s aim to create a knowledge-based economy. The program is also aligned with the objectives of the country’s leadership in empowering youth through various measures. The graduating YFEL members will have to become key players in the energy industry of the future and we are confident their talents will transform Abu Dhabi into a hub for renewable energy and sustainability. We thank the UAE’s leadership for their continuous support and guidance that is helping us to develop the youth.”

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh said: “For the YFEL members who receive their certificates, this does not mean conclusion of the learning process. Equipped with the required skills to be tomorrow’s leaders in the energy industry, YFEL members now have to remain in the forefront and prove their value to the community through continuously acquiring new skills in their workplace or universities. We thank the country’s leadership for their support in helping us achieve our objectives, especially with the community outreach programs.”

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs, said: “YFEL plays a significant role in nurturing students and young professionals and developing them into tomorrow’s leaders in energy industry. Today’s ceremony is a testimony to Masdar Institute’s commitment towards the community’s overall development. We are confident the graduating YFEL members will add significant value to the society with their newly acquired knowledge. At the same time, we thank the UAE’s wise leadership for their continuous support and vision in educating our youth for the future.”

Iman Ustadi, YFEL member and a student of the American University of Sharjah, said: “Participation in the YFEL program has enhanced my professional skills and increased my confidence to take up higher responsibilities in the future. The program profile at YFEL is so richly diversified that it assists in the overall growth of students like me. I am so proud to have completed the year-long program and I thank my fellow YFEL members and Masdar Institute officials for organizing such a highly useful outreach initiative.”

An outreach program by Masdar Institute, YFEL aims to develop tomorrow’s leaders in the fields of advanced energy and sustainability with various initiatives that educate, inspire and empower students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.

YFEL is a dynamic forum that encourages highly qualified and talented students and young professionals to remain proactive during debates and global discussions in advanced energy and sustainability. In addition, it organizes short courses, workshops and seminars, while providing networking opportunities and visibility through high-level events and meetings, while recognizing members’ contributions and accomplishments.

The YFEL program also helps to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.