13 Years Since Inception, YFEL Program Has Created an Alumni Body of Nearly 600 Young Future Leaders in Energy and Sustainability
Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced 32 members of the 2022 Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) outreach program received their certificates of completion during a gala commencement ceremony for successfully concluding their year-long schedule of commitments. The YFEL program enters its 13th year of existence this year.
Launched at the World Future Energy Summit 2010 by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the YFEL program offers members exceptional and unmatched access to top global leaders, senior business executives and academics engaged in alternative energy and sustainability at global forums such as the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023. The YFEL program is Khalifa University’s flagship outreach program in sustainability that reflects its commitment to ensuring a sustainable future
The certificates of completion were presented to the 2022 YFEL members. Also present were the 2023 YFEL members, for whom the evening’s proceedings served as an ‘orientation’ ceremony. The 2023 YFEL members include four young professionals, 18 international members including those from South Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Egypt, Belgium, and Tunisia, as well as 10 locally-based expat members, and 19 UAE nationals. So far, in its 12-year long existence, the YFEL program has created an alumni body of nearly 600 students and young career professionals.
Sponsors of the 2022 YFEL program, as well as dignitaries, and guests were present at the ceremony organized during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2021 at the Khalifa University Main Campus. Professor Sir John O’ Reilly, President, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, and Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice-President, Academic and Student Services, attended the ceremony.
Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice-President, Academic and Student Affairs, Khalifa University, said: “Congratulations to the graduating 2022 YFEL members who have successfully completed their courses in technology, policy and leadership, as well as projects in sustainability and clean energy. Now in its 13th year, the YFEL program continues to educate, inspire and engage students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges in clean energy and sustainability. We welcome the 2023 YFEL members who, we believe, will emulate their predecessors and achieve even more in these critical areas and effectively contribute to the UAE’s Net Zero strategy.”
During the year, the YFEL 2022 graduates completed their year-long program of technology workshops, courses, and policy-related discussions. They had also worked on sustainability-related projects including a smart energy self-sustained electrolysis system, an intelligent waste to energy system, a hydrogen storage system, direct CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) using green energy, compressed air storage plant, and smart rewarding points system for the segregated waste by households. At the same time, 2023 YFEL members discussed the topics and projects they will work on.
2022 YFEL member Fai Alismail from Saudi Arabia said: “The YFEL program gave us the opportunity to explore and engage with leading industry experts and employers to learn more about sustainability and energy.”
YFEL member Ammar Hummieda said: “From the informative sessions and the meeting with industry leaders I think we learned a lot from the YFEL program but most of all I think we learned a lot from each other.”
A session on Leadership Emotional Intelligence led by Kholoud Ribhi Elayyan, Student Academic Enhancement Senior Specialist, Khalifa University, offered YFEL members special insights into handling workplace challenges, while Dr. Glenn Muschert, Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Sara Mneimne, Engagement and Development Senior Officer, Khalifa University, offered a session on Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition to attending the WFES 2023 opening ceremony and some panel sessions, YFEL members also participated in debates on ‘Fuel Cell vs. Battery-Powered Cars’ led by Dr. Glenda El Gamal, Senior Lecturer, on ‘Electric Cars are Impractical’ led by Dr. Aisha Al Suwaidi, Associate Professor, Earth Science, and on ‘Can Green Infrastructure be used to alleviate our CO2 emissions?’ during the Water and Smart Cities Forum 2023 led by Dr. Asli Hassan, Assistant Professor, Khalifa University.
Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
20 January 2023
