Stand to Display Laser Equipment, Video Game Designed by Students and Offer Information on Overall Offerings, Scholarship and Job Opportunities
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 23 October, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it will highlight its local human development measures and next phase academic growth plan during Najah Education, Training and Careers Exhibition 2013.
Organized under the patronage of His Excellency Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, the seventh annual NAJAH is scheduled to be held from 29-31 October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. Supported by Abu Dhabi Education Center (ADEC) and the UAE Ministry of Higher Education, the event provides a platform for universities, educational facilities and training institutes looking to attract qualified students and companies launching Emiratization drives.
For Fall 2013 new student enrollments increased to 203, taking the current total number of students at Masdar Institute to 417. The enrollment of UAE nationals has increased by more than 15% in the new academic year. Also, the Emirati ratio among the staff is nearing 50%, while for faculty it continues to expand, reiterating Masdar Institute’s intense involvement in Emiratization and human capital development.
Among the activities at Najah 2013, faculty and students of the Microsystems Engineering program will highlight digital design and micro-electronics through ‘Snakes’– a video game designed and implemented by students. A laser equipment that could measure in nanometers the thickness of objects such as human hair will also be on display. In order to leverage opportunities at Najah 2013, Masdar Institute will specially showcase the regrouping of academic programs under four departments, in addition to providing information on research and outreach offerings, scholarship options and potential employment opportunities. The departments will help Masdar Institute deliver on its mandates of indigenous capacity building and human capital development to support Abu Dhabi’s strategic knowledge-intensive sectors as outlined by the Vision 2030.
Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “Najah is an effective venue for Masdar Institute to showcase our knowledge and human capital development efforts including the regrouping of our academic offerings. With the support of the wise UAE leadership, we have consistently evolved into an effective academic institution, imparting clean energy knowledge and delivering on our mandate. As we look forward to expanding our academic programs through the newly created departments, we remain committed to contributing to Abu Dhabi’s knowledge-economy objectives.”
With eight highly-focused academic programs and a PhD program that encourage multi-disciplinary research, Masdar Institute remains in the forefront of capacity building. The programs, now grouped under four departments, focus on complex real-world problems that require a totally fresh approach to the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective.
For employed engineering professionals Masdar Institute offers the ‘Practicing Professionals’ program. It provides an option to enroll in any of the eight programs on a part-time basis at a given per credit tuition fee, without giving up their employment obligations. Such niche programs provide an opportunity to those who would not otherwise be able to enroll at Masdar Institute.
Another area that will be highlighted at Najah 2013 includes Masdar Institute’s outreach initiatives such as the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program and summer research internship. Earlier this year, more than 60 YFEL members completed their year-long educational courses, networking activities and participation in global forums. A select group of undergraduate seniors took part in innovative sustainability projects under the summer research internship program that prepares them for pursuing Master’s studies in future energy and advanced technology areas.
The Masdar Institute stand at Najah 2013 will also showcase Ektashif, a residential hands-on laboratory program that brings together talented UAE undergraduate engineering and science students to discover and learn about renewable energy, sustainability and the environment. The experience earlier this year included workshops and an industrial site visit. The program aims to encourage students to consider taking research and innovation in clean energy and sustainability beyond the campus into the wider community.
Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.
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.
