Victor Naroditskiy of University of Southampton Explains Role of Sifting Accurate Information during Referral-based Crowd-sourcing’

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 20 December, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it organized a seminar to highlight the challenges in sifting accurate information from social networking platforms, especially during ‘referral-based crowd-sourcing’.

The seminar led by Victor Naroditskiy was titled ‘Finding Answers using Social Networks: Verification in Referral-based Crowd-sourcing’. More than 25 students, researchers and faculty members participated in the event that was held at the Masdar Institute premises that also included a question and answer session for the benefit of the audience.

Dr. Joe Cecchi, Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “Hosting renowned experts for seminars is part of Masdar Institute’s initiative to raise awareness among the students and the general community on the practical applications of advanced technologies. As a research-focused institution, we also aim to emphasize the importance of highlighting the outcome of various research activities in science, engineering and technology. We are confident the insights offered by Victor Naroditskiy at the seminar will encourage the students to seek innovation and benchmark themselves in the world of scientific research. We thank the UAE’s leadership for their continuous guidance in consolidating the status of Masdar Institute as one of the world-class institutions.”

Victor Naroditskiy is a post-doctoral researcher in Prof Nick Jennings’s group at the University of Southampton in the UK. Engaged in the study of incentives from both theoretical and practical angles, Naroditskiy approaches game-theoretic problems with algorithmic solutions and computational tools. He obtained his Ph.D. in Computer Science under the guidance of Amy Greenwald from Brown University, Rhode Island.

Naroditskiy said: “Social networks facilitate efficient and fast search for rare information. This process occurs as individuals who are already involved in the search, share their quest with their friends, in effect ‘referring’ them. This type of crowd-sourcing is termed as ‘referral-based’. In this work, any team that is seeking information incorporates verification in the crowd-sourcing process, helping filter out false submissions before they reach the center. It is important to note that the problem of verification is in no way specific to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Network Challenge, but a subject of current research in crowd-sourcing tasks including content annotation, user recommendations, and disaster relief.”

Naroditskiy cited the example of DARPA Network Red Balloon Challenge, in which 10 red weather balloons were placed at undisclosed locations across Continental US and participating teams competed to be the first to locate all of the balloons and win US$40,000 prize.

On the lessons learnt from the DARPA Network Challenge from the scientific and practical standpoints, Naroditskiy pointed out that they are almost solely drawn from the different team strategies to maximize the awareness and subsequent enrollment into the search by the different competing teams. These strategies ranged from relying on people’s altruism to help in the search, to web-based marketing to large communities of interest, as well as to pure financial incentives.

Naroditskiy added: “Recruiting people (to contribute to the Challenge) represents only half of the story. The other half is the challenge of distinguishing accurate information from the thousands of sources, especially during the DARPA Network Red Balloon Challenge. For instance, the majority of submissions of balloon sightings received by the team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), turned out to be false – either by sabotage or by mistake. And the task of verification turned out to be the most challenging, time consuming, and likely the single most decisive factor in the competition. In MIT’s case, this task was performed using a time-consuming ad-hoc heuristic procedure implemented in the form of a mixture of common-sense geo-location rules and direct verification by making phone calls to participants.”

The MIT team was the eventual winner at the DARPA Network Red Balloon Challenge. The MIT’s recruitment mechanism has been recently highlighted in the prestigious ‘Science’ magazine article titled ‘Time-Critical Social Mobilization’ and further analyzed in the framework of query incentive networks. However, little is known about the adequacy/optimality of its verification strategy, or any other team’s approach.

The seminar at Masdar Institute is significantly relevant to both the corporate sector and the general community in the UAE. According to the law firm DLA Piper, only 41% of the businesses surveyed in the UAE have a social media presence, compared to 76% in the UK. Of the UAE companies that do have social media presence, 26% do not have a social media policy outlining for employees as against 17% in the UK, putting the company and employees at risk, says the survey report.

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, Masdar Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 12 December, 2011 – Masdar today announced it is partnering with Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, one of the world’s leading research institutions, to build a facade test centre within Masdar City, the world’s first low carbon, low energy city based in Abu Dhabi. Fraunhofer’s Institute for Building Physics IBP and Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE will provide planning and supervision services for the facade test centre (FTC) build in close collaboration with Masdar City. Fraunhofer is one of the most important catalysts of the renewable energy industry in Germany and already operates a facade test centre for research and development in Germany.

The FTC at Masdar City is intended to assist designers and contractors in the selection of building materials to help reduce energy wastage in the UAE and the wider MENA region. It is part of Masdar’s endeavor to reduce energy demand by testing and quantifying the energy performance of integrated building facades, especially through strategic international partnerships and collaborations in renewable energy and sustainability. The project will widen the scope of Masdar City’s service offering, enabling partners and clients within the MENA region to take advantage of services delivered out of the FTC. The FTC is aimed to position Masdar City as a key service provider in consultancy services and generate revenue. The FTC will be based on the design and operation of Fraunhofer IBP’s full-scale facade test centre at its site close to Munich in Germany which boasts over 10 years of field experience and on Fraunhofer ISE’s know-how on development and optimization of building facades including facade integration of solar energy systems. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “It is important for Abu Dhabi to host a dedicated facility of this stature, given its relevance to the integrated facades that need to be constructed in line with the emirate’s Estidama guidelines. Offering ratings on the material selection for buildings in Abu Dhabi assumes enormous significance and we are pleased to provide such a service in partnership with a world-renowned organisation.

“Sustainable building materials’ testing is a leading item on the Masdar City technology roadmap as we believe this is an area where we can provide technology leadership to the region. Partnering with Fraunhofer to design and operate the FTC will add technical credibility and third party endorsement. The FTC will provide a significant impetus to making Abu Dhabi the world’s benchmark for sustainable development.” Each test room within the building will be instrumented to enable calculation of the energy code values, thermal and light transmission properties and overall performance of each facade under test. Other tests will be offered according to the specific needs of the clients. Construction is expected to start by the first quarter of 2012.

Masdar City and Fraunhofer teams will provide services to industry in the selection of high performance building materials and facades, based on expertise gained by collaboration at the FTC.

Professor Klaus Sedlbauer, Director of Fraunhofer IBP, emphasised: “With this unique cooperation, we bring together Masdar’s experiences in building construction under their specific climate and Fraunhofer’s knowledge in testing and design at the technological edges. We are looking forward to support latest sustainable building solutions for the application in Masdar and the UAE.”

As a centre of excellence, the FTC will also provide direct links to programmes of facade research with Masdar Institute and host seminars in the field of building materials performance, facade design and compliance with energy codes. Dr. Steven Griffiths, Director of Institute Initiatives, Masdar Institute, said: “The FTC is a perfect complement to Masdar Institute’s established capabilities in materials science and evolving building technologies research program. We welcome this collaboration that will further develop the core building technologies capability at Masdar Institute.”

Masdar will develop in-depth knowledge of sustainable facade and building materials design, integration and performance measurement. This initiative adds to the work already being done by Masdar through The Future Build Program, an online portal for independently verified green building products. Fraunhofer, Europe’s largest application-oriented research organisation, has expertise in building design performance and building energy performance testing which is expected to significantly benefit the region through the FTC.

Professor Eicke Weber, Director of Fraunhofer ISE, stated: “This is Fraunhofer’s first big step to facilitate the application of latest renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies at Masdar in the UAE and the GCC region. We are looking forward to further support the exemplary establishment of a sustainable energy system in the near future through our cooperation with Masdar.”

Fraunhofer already has an existing arrangement with Masdar which dates back to June 2009 when both organisations signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration in renewable energy projects. Since then, Fraunhofer has provided contract services including the validation of the Masdar Energy Design Guideline (MEDG) codes and assessments for solar power projects.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh to Present Keynote Address to Highlight Masdar Institute’s Contribution to Promote Human Capacity Development;

Masdar Institute Stand Showcases Academic Programs, New Technologies and Sustainable Campus Features

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 14 December, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced two students concentrating in special engineering and remote sensing are showcasing their research work at the Eye on Earth 2011 Summit and Exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

Organized under the patronage of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Eye on Earth Abu Dhabi Summit opened on 12 December at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The event that runs until 15 December seeks to address topics related to environmental information networking, including disaster management, oceans and blue carbon, water security, innovative cities, as well as networks beyond information technology.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, is one of the keynote speakers on the Education Day, the last day of the event. Titled ‘Moving the World Forward’, Dr Moavenzadeh’s address will highlight the research activities, laboratory facilities at the sustainable campus and Masdar Institute’s contribution to promote human capacity development in line with the principles recommended by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE. The Masdar Institute stand (E13) is also showcasing academic programs, research offerings and the lifestyle features of the sustainable campus.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, is participating in a panel discussion that will cover greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas, measuring and sharing emissions information, as well as greater access to environmental and societal data.

The two Masdar Institute students who are showcasing their works are Reem Al Junaibi and Sanaa Pirani. Al Junaibi’s research work focuses on the variable renewable energy generation capacity, especially solar or wind power that could match demand load at every instant. Her presentation will highlight the key challenges proposed by a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary MIT study titled ‘Future of the Electric Grid’, and ways to address the problems.

Pirani’s research work focuses on ‘Eco-efficient Biodegradable Nanocomposites’. The research looks into the feasible production of biodegradable nanocomposites from the constituents of cellulose, clay, and biodegradable polymers. It also explores the possibility of using the byproducts of the processes by which the nanocomposites are fabricated in the making of biofuels.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh said: “Masdar Institute is privileged to showcase the research works of its students at major forums such as the Eye on Earth 2011 Summit and Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Research remains one of the major components of our academic programs and the data collected through our research has proven its beneficial aspects for the community. Our participation in similar events will continue as we progress further in making Abu Dhabi a knowledge hub for advance energy and clean technologies, with the continuous guidance and support from the UAE’s leadership.”

Dr Lamya Fawwaz said: “Our participation in the Eye on Earth 2011 Summit and Exhibition reflects our status as an academic institution that leads in knowledge sharing and exchange of ideas. Easy and convenient access to data is one of the key engines that drive technology innovation. As an institution that aims to spread awareness and knowledge in advanced energy and sustainable technologies, we are showcasing our students’ research works that may serve as an inspiration for the visitors. With our participation at the event, we acknowledge the role of the country’s leadership in developing forums that propagate sharing of information.”

Facilitated by Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative (AGEDI), and hosted by Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the invitation-only Eye on Earth Summit in Abu Dhabi runs concurrently with the Eye on Earth Exhibition, which is open to the general public.

Established in 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.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 13 December, 2011 – More than 20 young professionals participated in a two-day intensive course on leadership organized under the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies.

Titled ‘Being a Future Leader’, the program held from 5-6 December comprised intensive courses offered by Masdar Institute faculty, as well as academic and business leaders. Part of the YFEL program, the course was specially meant for young practitioners and graduate students who aim to expand their knowledge of core issues in advanced energy leadership, technology and policy.

Youcef Azrgui, Advisor, Strategy and Policy Development Unit from Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development, offered a presentation that covered some of the salient features of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030. Focusing on the key points of the Abu Dhabi Government’s program, Azrgui appraised the young leaders about the requirements for rapid decision-making and effectively managing the planning process to achieve Abu Dhabi’s economic objectives.

A twin-pronged leadership panel witnessed the academia and a business leader sharing their expertise with the YFEL members. Panelists included Dr. Joe Cecchi, Provost of Masdar Institute, Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of Sustainability, Masdar, and Bader Al Lamki, Director of Masdar Carbon. The leaders offered their suggestions from their individual and professional perspectives, while describing the path they had to tread to reach where they are today.

Masdar Institute faculty who were part of the program included Dr. Amy Wohlert, Executive Director, General Education and Student Affairs, Dr. Ken Volk, Outreach Manager, and Kevin Garvey, Lecturer in Academic English, Critical Thinking and Research Methodology, as well as Zainab Al Ali, Outreach Senior Officer and Coordinator of the YFEL Program.

With over 10 years as the Dean of the School of Engineering, University of New Mexico (UNM), Dr. Joe Cecchi has remarkable track record in leading various management teams. Under his stewardship, the University of New Mexico experienced significant growth and recognition as an innovative technology transfer platform, while contributing to the economic development of the state of New Mexico. Addressing the YFEL members, Dr. Cecchi emphasized on the need for laying the foundation at the early stage to develop into a leader who can carry the team and generate positive results.

Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany leads a team responsible for developing Masdar’s Sustainability Standards & Policies and Sustainability Auditing, as well as Monitoring and Reporting. Dr Al-Hosany has held senior positions with the General Headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Police, including Head of Design and Studies in the Engineering Department, in addition to being the first-ever female Deputy Director with the Abu Dhabi Police. She explained to the young leaders her implementation techniques in applying academic and professional pedagogies as well as devising and running innovative tools and policies.

As director of a Masdar business unit, Bader Al Lamki holds the responsibility for steering and guiding the teams within Masdar Carbon/Masdar Power to achieve their performance excellence in all areas of operations, while focusing on clean hydrocarbon power and industrial energy efficiency. He offered his insights based on the 15-year professional experience at various organizations including global corporations.

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “The workshop on ‘Leadership’ marks the concluding round of courses for the 2011 YFEL program. These courses aim to empower the youth and help them enhance their knowledge while developing individual professional skills. The YFEL members have once again demonstrated their commitment and willingness to remain on track for being true energy leaders of tomorrow through actively participating in all events including the workshop on leadership.

“Throughout the year, we have organized various seminars and workshops for the YFEL members, in addition to hosting them at local and international forums to facilitate mentoring opportunities. We are grateful to the country’s leadership for entrusting with us the task of nurturing the leaders of tomorrow and contribute to achieving the objectives of Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 program.”

During her session, Dr. Amy Wohlert asked participants to put in writing what they would like to gain from the workshop on leadership. Members were also asked to make a sketch of what represents their concepts of leadership that was followed by a discussion on ‘What is leadership?’

In her next session, Dr. Wohlert gave members an ‘Assignment for reporting tomorrow’. Participants were asked to think of a concrete example of a leadership or teamwork activity they have undertaken in the past and how they would act on it differently now. The session tested the YFEL members’ capabilities to effect change in the workplace and each member was given one minute the next day to speak about the measures they would adopt to achieve their objective.

Dr. Ken Volk spoke on ‘Empowering Others and Communication’, explaining how an Instructor can lead the ‘Instructee’ and ways to bridge the gap between the two. He also explained various methods that are used to determine leadership including personality and psychometric tests, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of such methods.

In his session on ‘Teamwork vs Groupthink’, Kevin Garvey, Lecturer in Academic English, Critical Thinking and Research Methodology, provided tips on teambuilding through the ‘Egg-drop Team Exercise’. Groups of members were given a limited variety of popsicle sticks, balloons, or scotch tape, and assigned the task of creating the ‘safest’ capsule for dropping an egg from two-story height. The teambuilding exercise aims to teach participants the importance of trust, creativity, efficiency and patience.

In his next session, Garvey offered the participants an insight into choosing the right interaction style and explained behavioral/communication techniques that are assessed through style inventories such as the ‘dominance, influence, steadiness and compliance’(DISC) assessment tool. On the second day, Garvey’s session on ‘Leadership as Relationship’ was followed by Zainab Al Ali, who spoke on ‘Leading in a Knowledge-Based Economy: The impact of Vision 2030 as it relates to Masdar Institute and YFEL’.

Zainab Al Ali, Outreach Senior Officer and Coordinator of the YFEL Program, said: ” The ‘Leadership’ course is crucial for the YFEL participants as it is designed to give them profound insights on charting the right course for gaining leadership positions in the future. As they successfully complete the three courses, we believe the YFEL members will practically implement in their workplace what they learnt through these workshops. The course is integral to the YFEL program that is instrumental to capacity building and knowledge development in the Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”

A talk on ‘Organizational structures and how they impact leadership’ by Dr. Ken Volk was followed by a wind-up discussion that included members’ depiction through pictures and drawings to illustrate how valuable the workshop has been over the two days.

The YFEL members are annually offered educational courses in three categories – technology, policy and leadership. The ‘Technology’ course titled ‘Renewable Energy Technologies Information’ was held in June, while the ‘Policy’ course titled ‘The Role of Policy in the Renewable Energy Industry’ was organized in October. Led by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the pre-eminent YFEL program aims to educate, inspire and position students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges in advanced energy and sustainability.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 11 December, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced 30 Master’s students from world-class Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi visited its sustainable campus.

Accompanied by two faculty members and three officials, the students were received by Mohammed Al Awaghani, Visitor Center Manager, and Dr Ken Volk, Outreach Manager, at the Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) station after a comfortable ride on the driverless PRT pod cars that reflect the campus’s remarkable sustainable transportation system. The visit was the students’ first-ever to a sustainable destination, showcases the importance of coordinating sustainable development studies policies studied at Sorbonne-Abu Dhabi with research centers such as Masdar Institute.

The International Law, Diplomacy and International Relations Master’s program offered at Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi covers environment, resources management, biodiversity and sustainable development. At the same time, students are required to cover areas including urbanism and transport with an emphasis on trade aspects, energy, power and climate change. In addition, they will have the option to pursue their program on ‘Sustainable Development Law’ in the second year of their Master’s program, or as a separate university diploma.

At the futuristic Knowledge Centre, Mohammed Al Awaghani offered a presentation on the various sustainable elements of the campus including the modern re-interpretation of the region’s traditional Wind Tower, Courtyard, the buildings’ design orientation and architecture, as well as other sustainability-focused amenities. They were then taken on a tour of the campus.

Hamza Kazim, Vice President for Operations/Finance, Masdar Institute, said: “Recognized worldwide as an example of sustainable development, the Masdar Institute campus offers an opportunity to understand how effectively Masdar implements sustainability through an integrated approach. The various features at the Masdar Institute campus are areas of significant interest to not only students but all categories of visitors. We believe the visit would expand the horizons of knowledge in advanced energy and clean technology for the students of Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi. We specially thank the UAE leadership for their vision in creating Masdar Institute with such capabilities that benefit the community.”

Prof. Dr. Jean Yves de Cara, Executive Director of Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said: “Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi is committed to fostering the knowledge in sustainable development; we believe learning through a concrete approach with concrete examples, about sustainable development such as Masdar Institute initiative, is a must for our students.”

“The visit to Masdar Institute helped our high-caliber students to better understand the pioneering role of Masdar within the framework of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030. Sorbonne Abu Dhabi is also integral to this vision to create a knowledge-based economy,” he added.

Majed Al Khemeiri, a Sorbonne Abu Dhabi student, said: “We are grateful to Masdar Institute for welcoming us and offering access to obtain an overall view of the role sustainability plays in everyday life, giving us another angle to the Sustainable Development specialization we have in Sorbonne Abu Dhabi.”

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, Masdar Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change.

Event to Offer Potential Students and Families Insight into Curriculum and Scholarship Incentives

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 09 December, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, is inviting potential students and their families to gain an insight into its curriculum and scholarship options during its annual ‘Open Day’ on 10 December.

The ‘Open Day’ at the sustainable Masdar Institute campus in Masdar City will also provide visitors with an opportunity to interact with currently enrolled students and learn about the various academic and outreach programs.

The faculty and students from all the eight post-graduate programs will have independent stands to offer detailed information through presentations and individual interaction. Workshops on specific topics related to sustainability and clean technology will also be organized by the faculty at the futuristic Knowledge Center.

An Enrollment team will register names and contact details of eligible students and attend to all enquiries about the admission procedures.
An exclusive stand on student affairs will offer an overview of the various student clubs, campus life, and other amenities. The special career guidance that Masdar Institute provides to students on completion of the course will be one of the highlights of the day.

Current students will share their on-campus academic experience with the visitors in addition to offering information on the Outreach programs. Additionally, student ambassadors will lead guided tours of the campus and offer personal insight into what it is like to study at the university.

Attractive prizes from a special raffle draw are on offer for students who have registered or those who meet the admission criteria.

The centerpiece of Masdar City, one of the most sustainable cities in the world, Masdar Institute provides students an unparalleled opportunity in the entire spectrum of research, from theory to applied research to commercialization in a single location. With its best in class amenities for research and development in clean technologies, it aims to help drive economic diversification through human capital and technological innovation.

Program Provides Insights into Environmental Performance of Commercial Aviation and Advanced Technologies to Help Industry Grow Sustainably

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 7 December 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced 14 of its students and a faculty member attended the ‘Airplanes 201 – Aviation and the Environment’ course organized by The Boeing Company in Abu Dhabi.

The advanced half-day course provided students with insights into the environmental performance of commercial aviation and advanced technologies that allow the industry to grow sustainably. Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis, Assistant Professor – Engineering Systems and Management, Masdar Institute, accompanied the 14 students.

The Boeing officials who led the event included Bill Glover, Vice-President for Environment and Aviation Policy; Richard Wynne, Director for Geopolitical and Policy Analysis; Darrin Morgan, Director of Sustainable Biofuels Strategy; and Terrance Scott, Environment and Aviation Policy Communications. They presented modules that focused on various aspects of environmental stewardship in the aviation industry, highlighting its efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of commercial aviation, aircraft technologies and recycling, as well as an overview of sustainable aviation biofuel development.

Masdar Institute is already pursuing research in sustainable aviation policy and on materials and biofuels related to aviation emissions reduction. Thus, the course was more relevant to the 14 students, who were chosen on the basis of their relevant research interests from among a pool of interested graduates.

Dr Joe Cecchi, Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “The participation in the course is a knowledge sharing initiative that aims to engage the students with industry leaders. We express our sincere appreciation to Boeing for inviting our students, who were able to gain insights from the technical experts on key areas of advanced and sustainable technologies in the aviation industry. Masdar Institute will continue to actively seek the right avenues and forums that bring academic and professional benefits to students. We are confident the student participants will put into practice the novel concepts and the theories they learnt at the course and offer our gratitude to the country’s leadership for providing the students such opportunities to expand the scope of their knowledge.”

Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis said: “The course offered truly remarkable insights into the commercial airplanes industry and some of the measures the aviation leaders implement to maximize use of sustainable products. The highly technical modules also provided a greater understanding of the subject that will positively help the students in their research activities. We are grateful to Boeing for extending our students an opportunity to participate in the program.”

Bill Glover, Vice-President for Environment and Aviation Policy, Boeing, spoke about ‘Environmental Stewardship’ that included operations, as well as commitments and transparency, while the session on ‘Commercial Airplanes Environmental Overview’ was split into three parts. Glover covered ‘Global Climate Change Discussion’, separating fact from fiction, the role of aviation in climate change, as well as regional business and regulatory issues.

Analyzing the second part titled ‘Environmentally Progressive Products’, Richard Wynne, Director for Geopolitical and Policy Analysis, Boeing, spoke about areas including design, manufacturing and lifecycle considerations, progressive technologies and products, the role of composites and their environmental benefits, as well as environmental performance of existing aircraft Industry leadership through working with airlines and industry partners.

Wayne also led the third part titled ‘Quiet, Clean and Efficient Air Transportation’ that included topics such as operational challenges, air traffic management and operational opportunities, airport noise overview and quiet noise technologies. Then the floor was opened to questions that witnessed an enthusiastic exchange of ideas and knowledge sharing by the professionals and the student participants.

The post-lunch module on ‘Aircraft Recycling’ was presented by Terrance Scott, and the day concluded with the session on ‘Sustainable Aviation Biofuel’ offered by Darrin Morgan. Earlier Terrance Scott opened the proceedings, offering an overview of the course and the company’s keen interest in raising awareness about its policies on sustainability and biofuel.

Boeing frequently offers educational programs about aviation and commercial airplanes to the media, members of the aviation industry and aviation enthusiasts around the world. In 2010, the company organized the ‘Airplanes 101’ course, which was attended by more than 100 journalists and aviation industry professionals from the Middle East region.

Boeing is already working with the Masdar Institute, Etihad Airways and Honeywell’s UOP to establish the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Project (SBRP) that will use integrated saltwater agricultural systems to support the development and commercialization of biofuel crops for aviation and other uses.

Established in 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.
 

Event to Showcase Academic Programs, Scholarship Opportunities and Research Areas in Advanced Energy and Clean Technology

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 05 December, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it will host an ‘Open Day’ on 10 December for prospective students and their families from various universities of higher education across the UAE.

To be held from 10.00am-04.00pm at the sustainable Masdar Institute campus in Masdar City, the ‘Open Day’ will provide students and family members an opportunity to interact with currently enrolled students and learn about the various academic and outreach programs, scholarship opportunities and research areas in advanced energy and clean technology.
Masdar Institute faculty and students from the eight diverse post-graduate programs will set up independent stands as part of the Open Day exhibition. An Enrollment team will register names and contact details of eligible students and attend to all enquiries about the academic programs, scholarship opportunities, and admission procedures.

An exclusive stand on student affairs will offer an overview of the various student clubs,  campus life, and facilities available for Masdar Institute students. The visiting students and families will also gain insights into the special career guidance that Masdar Institute provides to its students.

A series of presentations covering various aspects including a general overview on Masdar Institute with a focus on the program offerings and enrollment procedures for potential students, research areas and campus facilities will be hosted every hour throughout the day.
Students will share their on campus academic experience and life with the visitors and their family members in addition to offering information on Masdar Institute’s Outreach programs, while student ambassadors will lead guided tours of the campus to familiarize visitors with the facilities and offer personal insight into what it is like to study at the university.

Workshops on specific topics related to sustainability and clean technology will also be organized by the faculty at the futuristic Knowledge Center, for the benefit of visiting students and their family members. Graduate student visitors and families will be able to meet with Masdar Institute faculty and students from each academic program for in-depth presentations covering different areas.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, said: “The Open Day is an occasion for us to showcase the advantages of joining the research-driven institution that aims to develop students into critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. For graduate students with the right talents and an eagerness to further their education in the fast-growing renewable energy sector, the Masdar Institute Open Day offers an avenue to obtain additional information about specific areas of interest. Students can choose the most suitable streams of learning by participating in the event to enhance their knowledge and contribute to the country’s progress.”

Students who have registered their names for Masdar Institute academic programs or those who meet the admission criteria will be eligible for attractive prizes from a special raffle draw.

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “Our academic programs, research offerings and outreach initiatives aim to nurture students into consummate professionals capable of successfully tackling future challenges. We are confident graduate students from the UAE universities who aim to pursue higher studies will find Masdar Institute the right place to enrich themselves academically in clean and future technology. We welcome students of all universities in the UAE to fully utilize this Open Day opportunity and express our genuine gratitude to the country’s wise leadership for creating such a remarkable environment for knowledge development.”
The centerpiece of Masdar City, one of the most sustainable cities in the world, Masdar Institute provides students an unparalleled opportunity in the entire spectrum of research, from theory to applied research to commercialization in a single location. With its best in class amenities for research and development in clean technologies, it aims to help drive economic diversification through human capital and technological innovation.
 

20 UAE Government Organizations Participate in Event to Recruit Emirati Students from among Nearly 900 Talented Graduates

Washington DC-U.S./Abu Dhabi-UAE: 30 November, 2011 – Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multifaceted renewable energy company, and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced its participation in the UAE Student Forum 2011 in Washington that attracted approximately 900 UAE national students from universities across the US.

A total of 20 government organizations from the UAE participated in the event that was hosted under the initiative of His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US. Titled ‘Today’s Students….Tomorrow’s Leaders’, the forum was held from 24-27 November at Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC. The event aimed to directly and tangibly facilitate the professional growth of the next generation of Emirati decision-makers and ensure that young UAE nationals receive the crucial training they need to gain employment.

The UAE Student Forum 2011 was attended by top government officials from the US and the UAE including His Excellency Omar Al Shamsi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the UAE Embassy, Fredrick Hawkins from the Department of State – Consular Affairs Bureau, Ms. Sharon Snyder and Jim Girardi of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program from the US Department of Homeland Security, as well as Byron K. Fogan, UAE Embassy Counsel.

A Career Center for Emirati students offering tips on choosing a suitable profession was inaugurated at the UAE Student Forum 2011, which also included workshops and a career fair.

The forum offered a platform for Masdar Institute to highlight the Sustainable Emiratization Program that will be launched next year to focus on building and retaining human and organizational capital through a sustainable skill-based program. In addition to showcasing its eight post-graduate programs, scholarship opportunities and the research options available to students who aim to pursue graduate degrees in advanced energy and sustainable technologies, Masdar Institute was also keen to select suitably talented graduates for administrative, academic as well as research and technical positions.

Students were also briefed about the sustainable lifestyle features of the Masdar Institute campus, the elite group of faculty with right qualification, expertise and experience to offer the most enriching academic experience, well-equipped and state-of-the-art laboratories, as well as the range of support services and cultural activities for students.

Masdar also showcased the employment potential in the renewable energy and clean technology sector, one of the fast-growing economic segments worldwide. Students were offered information about the various clean energy projects Masdar is implementing locally in the UAE and internationally through its integrated units – Masdar Power, Masdar Capital, Masdar Carbon and Masdar City.

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “Masdar is mandated to establish Abu Dhabi as a pre-eminent source of renewable energy knowledge, development and implementation, as well as a global benchmark for sustainable development. Through our projects in the UAE and overseas, we have built a sizeable human resource base in renewable energy. Masdar is also proud to point out that some of our Emirati engineers have been seconded to projects that are being implemented in collaboration with our global partners in Europe. We feel privileged to express our gratitude to the country’s leadership for their guidance and support that enable us to contribute to fulfilling the objectives of Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 for the progress of the UAE.”

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, said: “Developing a knowledge-based economy and offering the right enabling environment for academic research that leads to innovations in clean technology remain the prime focus areas for Masdar Institute. The number of government organizations that have participated in the event strongly demonstrates the effectiveness of this forum that brings together academic and corporate leaders to seek talented students for potential employment. As a world-class research-driven institution, we will remain committed to relevant capacity building initiatives that benefit Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”

After the event, Sara Al Muhairi, Acting Human Resources Director at Masdar Institute, and Maha Al Mansouri, Head of Emiratization and Manpower Planning – Human Resources at Masdar, expressed their gratitude to His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba for his support and cooperation in successfully organizing the forum in Washington.

In her presentation, Sara Al Muhairi informed the audience about the academic programs, scholarship opportunities and the research options available at Masdar Institute. She additionally highlighted the potential career openings that exist for qualified and experienced candidates to become faculty members at the research-driven institution in Abu Dhabi.

Providing an overview of her academically enriching experience as a student at Masdar Institute, Noura Al Dhaheri, a graduate student, encouraged the US-based students among the audience to enroll themselves at the Abu Dhabi institution.

Human resource professionals from the government organizations manning various stalls at the UAE Student Forum 2011 offered adequate information on the Emiratization initiatives and recruitment policies, while networking with individual Emirati students and offering presentations to groups of potential employees.

The UAE national students studying in the US interacted with their career counselors and scholarship sponsors. The event also provided an opportunity for the Emirati students currently studying in the US to interact with officials of the UAE organizations and explore employment opportunities. A question and answer session for students to obtain more academic and career information was also part of the first day’s proceedings.

Stretching the boundaries of future energy, Masdar contributes to the transformation of the UAE’s economic landscape – enabling economic diversification and helping the country’s knowledge-intensive industries to grow.

Masdar Institute is the centerpiece of Masdar City, one of the most sustainable cities in the world. It provides students an unparalleled opportunity in the entire spectrum of research, from theory to applied research to commercialization in a single location. With its best in class amenities for research and development in clean technologies, it aims to help drive economic diversification through human capital and technological innovation.

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 14 November, 2011 –Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company, has drawn praise from Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan during her visit to Masdar City on November 14.

Her Majesty Queen Noor complimented Masdar for its pioneering efforts and national long-term dedication to developing and implementing renewable energy solutions to answer growing energy demands.

Her Majesty Queen Noor said: “Sustainable development lies at the heart of supporting our upcoming generations. What Abu Dhabi is doing through Masdar and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is not only admirable but a testament to what true and clear vision can achieve in such a short period of time.”

While touring the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Her Majesty commended Abu Dhabi’s clear drive to nurture the necessary human capital to meet the future energy challenges.

Her Majesty Queen Noor visit to Abu Dhabi is part of the 31st International Arab Children’s Congress that opened on November 13 under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Noor.

Her Majesty was accompanied by her son, His Royal Highness Prince Hamzah Ibn Al Hussein, and her daughter, Her Royal Highness Princes Raiyah bint Al Hussein of Jordan. The royal family was hosted in Abu Dhabi by Dr. Maitha Al Shamsi, UAE Minister of State.

The event, held in collaboration with the King Hussein Foundation’s (KHF) National Centre for Culture and Arts and the Family Development Foundation (FDF) in Abu Dhabi, concludes on November 20, 2011.

His Royal Highness Prince Hamzah said: “As the Head of the Jordan Royal Advisory Committee on the Energy Sector, visiting Masdar is of great relevance.

“Jordan, much like the United Arab Emirates, believes in adopting a more balanced energy mix. The royal vision for the energy sector expressed by His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Al Hussein focuses on the need to increase use of alternative energy sources including wind and solar energy. The work that Masdar is conducting towards catalyzing the industry in the region is vital. I have heard much about the initiative but witnessing its progress first-hand is a great learning experience.”

Jordan’s energy strategy seeks to increase dependence on local energy sources to 25 per cent in 2015 and to 39 per cent in 2020.

Welcoming the delegation on their visit, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “We were delighted to welcome Her Majesty Queen Noor and her family to Masdar.

“Her Majesty has been an active international supporter for renewable energy and sustainability. Her work in the field of promoting grassroot education is exemplary and truly inspiring. During her visit, we were able to showcase much of work at Masdar and the important steps we have achieved in just over five years.

“This was only made possible through the wise vision of our leaders. It is their foresight that has led to the creation of the highly strategic Masdar initiative, with a mandate to make Abu Dhabi a pre-eminent source of knowledge, development and implementation in the field of advanced energy and has allowed our progress at Masdar to contribute to the economic diversification and human capital development the Emirate that will help meet the future energy challenges.

“The success of the 31st International Arab Children’s Congress, which has allowed us to welcome Her Majesty Queen Noor to Masdar and to the UAE, is testament to the outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak to the cause of women’s empowerment, gender equality and the welfare of the community at large, as well as her pioneering role in the empowerment of Emirati women for political participation.”

A trustee of the Aspen Institute and an avid environmentalist, Her Majesty Queen Noor has earned numerous awards including the United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Award for her activism in environmental protection, promoting awareness, and in initiating community action for the preservation of Jordan’s natural heritage.

Following a presentation on Masdar’s progress, through both its international and local projects, Her Majesty was led by Dr. Al Jaber to the personal rapid transit (PRT) pod cars where she was given a brief on the cutting edge PRT technology and a live demonstration of the vehicle into the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

After a signing of the electronic guestbook, Her Majesty Queen Noor was given a tour of the state-of-the-art laboratories where Masdar Institute Mechanical Engineering students explained the Robotic project. Her Majesty Queen Noor was also briefed on the Institute’s Waste Energy project and the cutting edge technologies of the labs that are designed to support the educational and research needs of the Microsystems Engineering Master’s program.

Following the lab visits, Her Majesty and her accompanying delegation were led to the main courtyard of the Institute where she was briefed on the commercial facilities and the Masdar Institute wind tower, which is aimed at tempering the climate of the courtyard of the Institute. The construction and engineering of the Wind Tower was inspired by traditional Arab design.

Her Majesty visited the Masdar Institute Knowledge Center, where she was briefed on student demographics and the facilities available to them at Institute.

Her Majesty Queen Nour addressed the students gathered at the Knowledge Center and said: “It is heartening to see such commitment from tomorrow’s leaders getting trained to address the planet’s biggest challenges of energy security and sustainable development. The world, and indeed Abu Dhabi, is looking to you to come up with solutions and present us a cleaner, greener future than what is available today.”

Queen Noor’s work in Jordan and the Arab world has focused on national and regional human security issues in the areas of education, conservation, sustainable development, human rights and cross-cultural understanding. Through the Noor Al Hussein Foundation, which she chairs, Her Majesty works on poverty eradication and sustainable development, women’s empowerment, microfinance, health, environmental conservation, and arts as a medium for social development and cross-cultural exchange.

Chairing Jordan’s National Commission in 1990, Queen Noor was instrumental in the development of Jordan’s National Environment Strategy- the region’s first, which was adopted by the government in 1991. Jordan’s Environment Law, which was subsequently approved by parliament in July 1995, has set standards for water use and quality, specifications to measure and control air pollution, and conditions for the establishment and operation of wild and aquatic nature reserves. It has imposed stringent fines on vessels polluting the marine environment, and ensured that factories and vehicles reduce their emissions within a limit set by the environmental council.

Queen Noor has also been honored with the Healing the Planet Award from Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Global Environmental Citizen Award from Harvard Medical School’s Center for Health and the Global Environment.

UAE Nationals Currently Represent 38% of Total Workforce at Masdar Institute

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 20 October, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology, today announced it aims to focus on building and retaining human and organizational capital through a sustainable skill-based Emiratization program.

Organized under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Najah Education and Training and Careers 2011 opened on 18 October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Masdar Institute is showcasing its post-graduate academic programs which include Engineering Systems and Management, Computing and Information Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering, Microsystems Engineering, Electrical Power Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, as well as the outreach and recruitment programs at the three-day event.

UAE nationals represent 38% of the total workforce at Masdar Institute this year, up from 20% last year. This share is expected to increase further, following the UAE leadership’s directive to strengthen indigenous human capital and give priority to Emiratis in the recruitment process. Emiratization is given priority at Masdar Institute, which implements various measures to achieve its objectives in recruiting talented UAE nationals.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, said: “As we all know Emiratization has been cited as one of the most important initiatives of the UAE government, but in order to be effective Masdar Institute is dedicated to the development of the country’s human capital through its graduate degree programs and broadening the depth and breadth of these young men and woman who will become the leaders of tomorrow and the engine that will drive economic and social change for the country and the region.”

A wide range of career opportunities with competitive remuneration packages and substantial allowances are offered for qualified UAE nationals at Masdar Institute, which has renewed its commitment to Emiratization for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Sara Al Muhairi, Acting Human Resources Director, said: “Our recruitment strategy is based on three main principles – motivating staff though attractive wage packages, creating a healthy and sustainable work environment to retain employees, and preparing qualified nationals who are able to adapt to technology innovations and contribute to establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading research and development hub. Our aim is to integrate more Emiratis into the workplace and offer them the opportunity to support Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 plan.”

Masdar Institute’s recruitment strategy is geared primarily to instill a sense of national pride among Emirati job applicants and help them build on the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It seeks the participation of the UAE national youth in molding the human capital required for a successful transition towards a diversified knowledge-based economy.

The Human Resources Department at Masdar Institute has already developed several Emiratization strategies. A one-year Fresh Graduate Program targets students with high GPAs in various disciplines to develop professional skills and gain valuable work experience.

In coordination with local colleges and universities, summer internships are offered for undergraduate students to develop professional skills and gain first-hand experience at one of the Masdar Institute departments. At the same time, work placement internships are offered in collaboration with local universities to provide hands-on professional experience and help them gain practical insight into the workplace ahead of graduation.

A mini-theatre at the Masdar Institute pavilion at Najah Education and Training Exhibition and Career Fair 2011 offers adequate information on the employment opportunities at Masdar Institute as well as academic programs and other initiatives such as The Outreach Program, the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program, scholarship details for eligible students, and students’ activities. The pavilion also includes a Masdar stand that offers students information on its sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives.

Masdar Institute hosted the first-ever commencement ceremony in June this year when 72 students received their post-graduate degrees in sustainable and renewable energy programs. Seven of these students received immediate employment offers from overseas corporations while five others were employed within the UAE. The number of students at Masdar Institute is expected to touch 600 over the next five years.

The centerpiece of Masdar City, one of the carbon-neutral and sustainable cities in the world, Masdar Institute provides students an unparalleled opportunity in the entire spectrum of research, from theory to applied research to commercialization in a single location. With its best-in-class amenities for research and development in clean technologies, it aims to help drive economic diversification through human capital and technological innovation.

Abu Dhabi, 15 September 2011: His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, yesterday, highlighted the importance of the contribution made by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company “Masdar” towards the development and deployment of renewable energy and clean technologies, both locally and globally.

His Highness also emphasized Masdar’s important role in adopting best practices in sustainable development, ensuring energy security and the mitigation of climate change through energy diversification.

His Highness visited Masdar on 14 September and was received by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive of Masdar.

The extensive visit began with a presentation on the business units within Masdar and the progress the units have achieved over the past 5 years, locally and globally.

His Highness then drove one of the cutting edge Masdar/ Mitsubishi electric vehicles (i-MiEV) to the campus of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MI) and he expressed his support for sustainable transport solutions that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of his visit to the Masdar Institute, His Highness toured the laboratories and was briefed by professors and students on the research carried out as part of their academic work. The tour included a visit to the “Clean Rooms” which are used to support the educational and research needs of the Microsystems Engineering Master’s program.

The program supports research in the areas of semiconductor devices and fabrication technologies as well as the creation of new electronic and photonic circuits. The experiments His Highness reviewed at the Masdar Institute laboratories included: a novel vacuum membrane distillation system, real-time dust detection and water quality monitoring from space.

His Highness also toured Masdar’s 10MW solar power plant, which serves to supply Masdar Institute’s energy demands.

On this occasion, His Highness said: “Because of the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, the president of UAE; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; we are confident that the UAE will continue on its steadfast path of setting ambitious goals for providing its people with all the requirements of growth and prosperity. This includes far reaching plans to ensure energy security.”

He added: “I take great pride in witnessing first-hand the impressive efforts and the high level of professionalism of Masdar. More so in Masdar’s ability, in such a short period of time, to make a name for itself in the renewable energy and clean technology sectors both locally and globally.”

His Highness also expressed pride in the number of professors and students from the United Arab Emirates at the Masdar Institute emphasizing that this is a solid step towards achieving a knowledge-based economy and gaining the necessary skills for the country’s transition from a knowledge importer to a knowledge hub and exporter.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “We were honored today by the visit of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and his interest in learning more about the projects we have undertaken to realize the directives of our leadership and turn them into reality. We are dedicated to achieving this vision of developing and deploying renewable energy and clean technology solutions and we view this as a great responsibility. What we have achieved so far is but the beginning of the road towards a long-term vision of placing Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the global energy sector.”

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology said: “We are honored by the visit of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. His Highness’s clear interest in the research and activities conducted by the Institute is a great source of encouragement for us all.”

“Sustainability is one of the key objectives of Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.  Therefore, building national human capacity in the UAE is of the utmost importance.  The mission of the Masdar Institute is in line with the development goals of the Abu Dhabi Government and its long-term strategies,” Dr. Moavenzadeh added.

Dr. Moavenzadeh also expressed hope that the visit will serve to incentivize a larger focus on R&D activities and increased support for research institutions like the Masdar Institute.

He also stressed the importance of the role that the Masdar Institute is playing in achieving the long-term vision of the far-sighted leadership of Abu Dhabi.