Abu Dhabi-UAE: 05 July, 2012 – The students from Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are experiencing the rich learning environment at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, acquiring fresh insights in the technology of future energy through the Practical Experience at MIT program.
Organized by the MIT Energy Initiative, the 11-day program is led by MIT faculty and offers a multidisciplinary, hands-on experience in scientific, technical, and societal themes in energy innovation. This is the second successive year students from Masdar Institute are participating in the program.
Students continue with their exploration and experimentation of the technologies at the laboratories of MIT, while leaving the campus for occasional field strips and short excursions to nearby areas at Boston, Massachusetts. The theory lessons complemented by practical field trips that include industrial sites continue to enhance the students’ overall knowledge experience at MIT.
Sara Al Muhairi, Director, Human Resources, Masdar Institute, led the group of students to the US for the summer program.
Majed Al Marzouqi, Research Assistant, academically and personally equipped himself before the program. Majed’s thesis focuses on capturing the CO2 using chemical looping combustion (CLC) technologies and he has interacted with the Carbon Capture projects team at MIT. He said: “The CLC technologies are discovered theoretically only because MIT has a prototype of this module that could run the simulation experimentally. This gives me the advantage of thinking about the process in real.”
Muna Al Ateibi, Graduate Student and Research Assistant with the Engineering Systems and Management Program, has participated in the field trip and visits to industrial sites. She said: “We have gained insights into the industrial sector, government initiatives, and projects as well as research and development in the area of sustainability across different fields such as energy, agriculture, technology, construction, and other engineering and technology areas.”
Al Ateibi has also acquired knowledge in the integration of various elements including the technology, workforce, production line, processes, strategies, and policies that help drive learning in clean energy. She added: “The renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change are complex subjects that require a comprehensive multidisciplinary and inter-industrial effort to tackle the challenges. The program has considerably expanded my understanding in these areas.”
Huda Al Saadi, Research Assistant, equipped herself for the MIT experience through interactions with last year’s participants from Masdar Institute and has gained an overview of the program. Al Saadi said: “I think each field trip offered me a different experience and helped in my pursuits in renewable energy. Moreover, the site visits have helped me understand the concept behind the technology that is in operation.”
The commitment and enthusiasm of the Masdar Institute students characterize their willingness to go the extra mile to achieve their academic and knowledge building objectives.
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.
