The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, celebrated its incoming class of Master’s and PhD students during its orientation program.
With its incoming class, the Institute welcomes a diverse student body of 140 UAE national and international students from over 40 countries.
Masdar Institute’s history of locally relevant innovation and its collaboration with the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) resulted in a significant influx of applications to the university. In the end, only the very best graduate-level candidates were selected to join the ranks of Masdar Institute, whose acceptance standards are on par with those of MIT.
Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, who provided the new students with an insight into the continuous commitment of the UAE and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi towards creating advanced sustainable technologies through innovation, research and human capital development, said, “The Orientation Week is just the beginning of these students’ journey into research, innovation and a sustainable on-campus lifestyle. We are certain that these new students will build on the intellectual capital developed by Masdar Institute researchers thus far, and firmly cement the status of Masdar Institute as the leading research-driven institution in the region.”
The week-long program opened with an interactive session by Dr. Amal Al Ghaferi, Interim Dean of Students, who welcomed the newcomers.
“Masdar Institute has the distinction of welcoming talented students from across the world as part of its mission to develop human capital in future energy and advanced technology areas,” said Dr. Al Ghaferi. “We are sure you will work towards gaining expertise at Masdar Institute to contribute towards tackling global energy and climate challenges.”
As part of the initiation process for the newcomers, Dr. Youssef Shatilla, Dean of Academic Programs, provided an introduction to the academic programs and procedures, while Dr. Mohammed Sassi, Interim Dean of Faculty, offered an overview of Masdar Institute, its accomplishments and its progress in developing intellectual capital in renewable energy and advanced technologies. Dr. Tariq Shamim, Professor, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, outlined details of the interdisciplinary PhD program..
Masdar Institute was joined at the orientation by several of its industry partners, including Yahsat, which is collaborating with Masdar Institute to offer a Master’s concentration in Space Systems and Technology. Yahsat’s CEO, Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, explained the company’s role in developing human capital to support the country’s space program.
New students at the orientation join a growing legacy of innovators at Masdar Institute, which has, in its short history, already produced six US patents, 54 patent applications, over 600 papers in peer-reviewed journals, five startups and the top place in the research citation impact category for Arab region in the 2015 US News and World Report rankings.
Clarence Michael
News Writer
31 August 2015
