Abu Dhabi-UAE: 13 July,2011– Masdar Institute (MI), the world’s first graduate-level university dedicated to providing real-world solutions to issues of sustainability, received His Excellency Sergio Alcocer, Deputy Minister of Energy in Mexico, as part of a mutual endeavor to enhance communication and cooperation between agencies in Mexico and MI.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology welcomed HE Sergio Alcocer and familiarized him with the MI campus through a site tour that included a visit to key energy management facilities. Later, Dr. Moavenzadeh and the Deputy Minister for Energy exchanged information and explored potential avenues for collaboration.

The tour covered the institute’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the wind tower, the MI knowledge center and the 10MW photo-voltaic plant. In addition to a view of the material recycle center, HE Sergio Alcocer was also given a first-hand feel of the MI campus station and the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh said: “It was a privilege to receive HE Sergio Alcocer; his visit underlines the need to embrace environmental management more seriously. It is time that international agencies shared best practices and technology in a move to ensure sustainable development. We look forward to collaborating with environmental agencies in Mexico.”

HE Sergio Alcocer was in Dubai to attend the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) forums.

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology has announced the launch of a Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering that will be available to its next intake of students in September 2011. The new program will help establish core capabilities that can support regional and global industries in their efforts to become more efficient and sustainable. It is the eighth Master of Science degree being offered by Masdar Institute — the first graduate-level university in the region that is dedicated to providing real-world solutions to issues of sustainability.

Masdar Institute’s Chemical Engineering Program will provide a supply of local chemical engineers to companies based in Abu Dhabi and abroad, offering expertise in the latest developments in this fundamental discipline. The program is designed to complement the existing Master’s programs and contribute to the development of core capabilities needed for the development of energy and sustainable technologies.

In particular, there will be a focus on building capabilities in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), which is a means of mitigating the environmental impact of chemical industrial process emissions and fossil fuel combustion. The program is also of relevance to the fields of energy, environment and manufacturing that require expertise in chemical engineering-related fields such as thermal-fluid sciences and chemical processes. Biotechnology is also of importance as engineers will combine biology with engineering tools to develop an understanding of living systems that will create new opportunities in the development of catalysts, polymers and other chemical engineering research areas.

Dr. Marwan Khraisheh, Dean of Engineering at Masdar Institute, said: “The launch of a new Master’s program demonstrates the ambition and continued growth of Masdar Institute. Chemical engineering has an important place in the development of clean technology solutions, and Masdar Institute hopes to supply local, regional and international businesses with a talented pool of chemical engineers that will help them become more efficient and deploy sustainable technologies and practices.

Located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Masdar Institute aims to support Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification by nurturing highly-skilled human and intellectual capital and partnering with industry leaders that are transforming the economy to one that is knowledge-based and that will enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader in global energy.

Masdar Institute’s degree programs have been developed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

More than 46 percent of female students in the UAE believe women must have high confidence levels and a forceful attitude if they are to succeed in science, technology and engineering (STE), according to a survey conducted by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE-wide study, titled ‘Expanding Women’s Participation in Science, Technology and Engineering – the Case of the UAE’ conducted by Dr. Georgeta Vidican, Assistant Professor in the Engineering Systems and Management Program at Masdar Institute, the Principal Investigator behind the project, Noor Ghazal Aswad, Graduate student and Research Assistant, and Diana Samulewicz, Research Associate at Masdar Institute. The broader motivation behind the research came with the realization that without the active involvement of the young National population in STE, particularly women, it would be difficult for the country to successfully transition towards a knowledge-based economy.

The survey involved almost 2600 female students in 17 campuses from universities across the country who provided feedback aimed at determining the factors that influence their decisions regarding their degree program selection, their attitudes towards STE education, and the factors that influence their career aspirations. It also looked into the impact of socio-economic status, institutional and cultural factors on women’s choices for pursuing education and careers in STE-related fields. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts, such as National female engineers working in the industry, policy makers, researchers and educators on the topic. The study aimed to identify potential policy recommendations that could be pursued to increase women’s engagement in the STE disciplines.

Students reveal that they expect a women professional in the STE fields to be “forceful”, with 51 percent of Emirati students agreeing to this as compared to 37 percent of non-Emirati students. This finding suggests that students believe a strong confidence level is required to succeed in the STE programs, having to be more “aggressive” in what could be perceived to some as an inhospitable environment.

According to the survey, more than 80 percent of the female students in the UAE strongly believe that studying STE is as good for women as for men, and that women can match men’s capabilities as professionals in the three key sectors. Interestingly, the study found that a majority of those who agree that ‘males are naturally better in math and science’ also think that by working hard, women can overcome this perceived natural advantage and do equally well in STE sectors.

Dr. Georgeta Vidican, Assistant Professor in the Engineering Systems and Management Program at Masdar Institute, said: “Abu Dhabi’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy should involve the participation of both men and women from the region. This in-depth research is an important indication of how far Abu Dhabi has progressed in its transformation and what still needs to be done. The research also offers a useful insight into the perceptions of current female students and the key factors that influence their choice of career paths. We believe such studies will help guide policy-makers in the framing of regulations that will bridge the gender gap and allow women to achieve even more in the fields of science, technology and engineering.”

“At the same time, the study serves as an important tool for academic professionals to understand the requirements of women students and suitably tailor educational programs for their benefit.”

The UAE has always been an avid supporter of woman’s participation in work and social life, due to the efforts of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nayhan, the Founding Father of the UAE, who said:
“Nothing could delight me more than to see the woman taking up her distinctive position in society…Nothing should hinder her progress…Like men, women deserve the right to occupy high positions according to their capabilities and qualifications.”

The survey also found that personal inclination and perceptions of career opportunities are the two most influential reasons for students choosing a specific stream of study. Although Emirati and non-Emirati students differ on the reasons for their choice of education, both groups are equally likely to choose their field of study as a result of personal interest. STE students are more driven to select their program by a passion to learn more about the field, and also by their belief that their choice will help bring benefits to the country and larger community, rather than career opportunities.
Emirati students refer most frequently to their extended family, friends and then to parents for educational advice, while the mother’s impact on educational choices is greater than that of the father, regardless of the educational level of the parent. The survey also discloses that for non-Emirati families, parents, instead of the larger family and friends are the premier source of educational advice.

A lack of university STE programs in the region, in addition to family or social pressures are cited as the largest obstacles to the greater enrolment of female students in STE streams. Moreover, the survey highlights the crucial importance of the high school stage in informing students about STE opportunities, with those not made aware of such opportunities during high school being almost twice as likely to enter into a non-STE field.

Students are also more confident of the abilities of women to perform well in STE in general, but less confident of their own independent abilities, displaying a “we can, but I can’t” paradox, according to the survey. At the same time, the survey pointed out that students from private schools are less likely to pursue education in STE, while those in public schools are found to be equally likely to enter into either an STE or non-STE field.

The Secretary of State of the United States of America, Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton today delivered a speech at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology campus –  the Middle East’s first graduate research institution dedicated to innovations in clean energy located at Masdar City – affirming the strong relationship between the US and the United Arab Emirates. Secretary Clinton also commended Masdar’s ambition and commitment to advancing and commercializing innovations in renewable energy and clean technology.

In her address, Secretary Clinton, said: “UAE is so well positioned to compete in the 21st century because of your commitment to clean, renewable energy. We are fully committed to supporting your work and we will do everything we can through our academic institutions, like MIT, through our government, like the Department of Energy and the State Department, and through our private sector, to bring more jobs and to bring more innovative entrepreneurial spirit here to the UAE.

“I want my country to know how advanced you are in pursuing clean renewable energy,” Secretary Clinton added. “I want the world to know that the US is partnering with you because we are betting on Abu Dhabi and the UAE. We are betting that this incredible investment represented by Masdar is going to pay off, and when it pays off it will not only mean a better life for the people of this country and this region, it will have ripple effects throughout the world.”

Following a guided tour of the facilities at Masdar City, Secretary Clinton was officially welcomed by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO and Managing Director of Masdar, the Abu Dhabi based company focused on the development and deployment of sustainable energy solutions.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “We are privileged and honored to welcome Secretary Clinton to Abu Dhabi and Masdar. Cooperation between our nations is built on mutual trust, respect and friendship. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship by working together to address the challenges of delivering viable, scalable clean energy to the world.

“Secretary Clinton’s visit to Masdar is a testament to the strength of this relationship and our leadership’s commitment to the development of renewable energy and climate change mitigation,” Dr. Al Jaber added.

During the tour of Masdar City, Secretary Clinton was able to see firsthand the innovations, progress and momentum building at Masdar, made possible by global collaboration. One such example was Secretary Clinton’s visit to Masdar’s advanced concentrated solar power (CSP) “Solar Beam Down” project, a joint venture between Masdar, Cosmo-Oil of Japan and the Tokyo Institute of Technology. The innovative “beam down” technology is an example of the global collaborative research conducted at Masdar.

Visiting the Masdar Institute campus, a graduate level institution established in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Secretary Clinton was also shown the sustainable facilities that have been designed to improve both the living and working experience of the students and faculty through smart, energy efficient and high performance building design.

“I express my gratitude to the people of the UAE for being innovative, creative and at the same time very practical about how you intend to achieve your goals,” Secretary Clinton said. “We are proud to be your partner and we are looking forward to achieving real progress for your citizens and the world at large.”

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber recognised the significance of Secretary Clinton’s visit, particularly as Abu Dhabi prepares to host the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) next week. WFES is a global platform for open dialogue between political and industry leaders, international policy makers, investors and experts from across the renewable energy and clean technology sector. Wide ranging global collaboration lies at the heart of Masdar’s business model, and the visit by Secretary Clinton further enhances the ongoing cooperation between the UAE and the US.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked closely with Masdar on initiating the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) process. This bilateral preparation effort began on 26 April, 2010, when the DOE and Masdar signed a Memorandum of Understanding on clean energy cooperation. The UAE served as host to the first CEM Preparatory Meeting in Abu Dhabi on 28-29 June, 2010. Having brought together officials from the participating countries, this meeting provided an invaluable forum for productive multilateral dialogue on the transformative policy and program initiatives that were publically announced at the Ministerial in Washington, D.C. The second Clean Energy Ministerial will be held 6-7 April, 2011, in the United Arab Emirates.

Some 20 high profile employers took part in the event, including Masdar, Mubadala Development Company, as well as other UAE-based companies which focus on the renewable energy and sustainability sectors.

During the opening ceremony, H. E. Razan Al Mubarak, Assistant Secretary General of Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency, highlighted the significance of the event: “The students of Masdar Institute have a unique opportunity to lead and inspire growth in sustainable technologies by driving innovation through research, and entrepreneurship.  Both the public and private sectors in the UAE can work hand in hand to create a culture of research and development that is integral to the emerging knowledge based economy of the UAE.”

H. E. Razan Al Mubarak, added, “This career fair is an important opportunity not just for the students, but for employers looking for a viable workforce. With so many environmental issues taxing the world’s leaders, there are numerous opportunities in the workplace right now.”

Durung the opening ceremeony, Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, described a great sense of accomplishment at holding the career fair. He said: “I have been involved with Masdar Institute for the past four years and today is a testament to the far sighted leadership of Abu Dhabi in its efforts to move not just towards a knowledge based economy, but one which is based specifically on technology.”

Dr. Moavenzadeh added, “The Institute prides itself on providing its students with unprecedented access to the best experts and companies in the world – Access is one of our unique value propositions. Over the past year, our students have been exposed to world leaders, energy experts, policy makers and world class academics. The Career Fair is merely an extension of an overall strategy that will ensure that our students graduate with a wide database of potential internships and jobs.”

The Director General of Abu Dhabi’s Chamber of Commerce & Industry, H. E. Mohamed Rashed Al Hameli, who also spoke at the opening ceremony, said: “Sustainability is one of the major goals that Abu Dhabi has targeted in its 2030 plan. The government is putting a high priority on providing higher education in this sector to its younger generation. This is important to Abu Dhabi’s future,” he explained, “and this career fair is important in bringing together students with businesses in the fields of energy and sustainability for their common advancement.”

The career fair was organized by the Student Affairs Office in conjunction with the Student Government Association; it was also supported by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.

Participants at the Fair included high profile employers, such as, Masdar, Mubadala Development Company, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), Dolphin Energy, Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), Etihad Airways, Schlumberger, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Boeing, EWS-WWF, ExxonMobil, General Electric, Global Foundries, iMCC Green, PRTM Consulting, Shell, Siemens, Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) and Toyota – Al Futtaim Motors, UAE Academy.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, today officially inaugurated the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology campus at Masdar City. The Institute is the Middle East’s first graduate research institution dedicated to renewable energy and clean environmental technologies.

“Backed by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the UAE is committed to the development of human capital as a foundation to drive the country’s long-term economic viability,” His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan said during the official inauguration of the Masdar Institute.

His Highness added that Abu Dhabi is committed to strengthening its intellectual capital and moving to a knowledge-based economy through the investment in higher education as well as research and development, particularly in the field of renewable energy. He further added that the students at Masdar Institute represent the world’s future researchers, academics and leaders who will be responsible for developing and advancing the technologies which will address some of the world’s most pressing energy challenges and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and diversification.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by a number of high profile dignitaries from the UAE including His Highness Sheikh Abdulah bin Zayed Al Nahayn, Minister of Foreign Affairs; His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher education and Scientific Research; His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; His Excellency Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; and His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of Masdar. The event was also attended by a number of notable guests including His Excellency  Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland; His Excellency Dr. Adnan Badran, Former Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Lord Norman Foster, famous British architect; and L. Rafael Reif, Provost of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the dignitaries toured the Masdar Institute campus to observe the innovative, energy-efficient construction and to meet with faculty and students. HH the Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance of investing in higher education, research, renewable energy and clean technologies due to the vital role they play in diversifying and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s economy.

His Highness the Deputy Prime Minister was briefed on the Institute’s major accomplishments during the past two years. To date, some notable achievements include a 20 percent increase in UAE nationals enrolled to the Masters Programme, the unveiling of a new Master of Science Programme in Microsystems Engineering, the submission of several patents pending and the establishment of the Masdar Institute Ph.D. Program. 

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, and chairman of the executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, said: “Thanks to the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi is dedicated to higher education as a key element to the successful integration and adoption of clean energy and forging commercialisation opportunities for the region. Masdar Institute is the foundation for shaping future scientists, and is a core driver in moving to a knowledge-based economy, with a strong focus on intellectual capital.

“Along with strong policies and initiatives, education is a core component in discovering, incubating and accelerating the technologies of tomorrow – and Masdar Institute will play a vital role in helping that effort,” added Dr. Al Jaber. “The advancements in renewable energy and clean technology are vital to diversifying Abu Dhabi’s economy, creating jobs, helping meet rising energy demands, expand its energy portfolio and to conserving its hydrocarbon resources.”

Dr. Al Jaber further added that Masdar has demonstrated that being a leader in alternative energy requires focus on long-term strategic planning, careful decision-making, adaptability and flexibility to market conditions and technological innovation.

Professor Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, said: “Thanks to the wise leadership of Abu Dhabi, Masdar Institute will facilitate academic study and research to drive new innovations into commercial opportunities for the region. Connecting some of the brightest minds from the region and the world, our students will unlock the answers to some of the greatest challenges of our time, such as climate change and energy security. By doing this, they will help to maintain Abu Dhabi’s position as a global energy leader.

“The sophisticated campus provides the ideal setting to drive real innovation and a concrete path to the technologies critical to powering tomorrow,” said Professor Moavenzadeh. “Momentum is building and the global community is taking notice of our enhanced programs and unique research and development within the renewable energy and clean technology sector.

The Institute has been designed to improve both the living and working experience through smart, high performance building design. Today, Masdar Institute and its facilities uses 54 percent less potable water consumption, has a 51 percent reduction in electrical demand and is fully powered by solar energy. These reductions are based on comparisons to UAE standard baselines for buildings of similar size and specifications. While constructing the buildings, a special mix of concrete was also used to minimize carbon emissions, and the wood used came from sustainable forests. These measures underscore Masdar’s ongoing focus to use environmentally-friendly materials and recycling all that is unused in order to minimize the ecological footprint.

Having welcomed its second cohort of students in September 2010, Masdar Institute currently has 41 professors and 170 students from the United Arab Emirates and 32 other nations.

Masdar Institute is an innovation accelerator and a place where students can live and learn. Students and faculty members are now using these unique facilities to conduct research in key scientific areas including aviation biofuels, clean energy production, sustainable development, microsystems, nanotechnology, energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage and solar energy.

The Institute’s research in renewable energy and clean technology underpins the development of a robust pipeline of commercialization opportunities for Abu Dhabi, as well as tackling some of the most pressing energy challenges. Students and professors at the Institute are undertaking projects in critical areas such identifying less carbon-intensive methods for water desalination and discovering technologies to efficiently integrate renewable power into the electrical grid.

Masdar Institute is situated in Masdar City, an emerging global clean-technology cluster that aims to be one of the world’s most sustainable urban developments, powered by renewable energy.  Recently, the Institute announced the commencement of the second phase of construction and extension of its existing campus. The addition will incorporate similar energy efficient design elements such as shaded streets, natural ventilation and heat reflecting facades that make the Masdar Institute facility one of the most technically and architecturally unique buildings in the world. On completion of the second phase, the Masdar Institute will educate in excess of 600 graduate students with 9 open laboratories, 2 clean rooms, 13 hi-bay laboratories, a 90 seat auditorium, 12 classrooms and 324 student apartments.

The two clean rooms – rated at class 1000 and class 100 respectively – are used to support the educational and research needs for the Microsystems Engineering Masters program. The program will support research in the areas of semiconductor devices and fabrication technologies, and the creation of new electronic and photonic circuits. The launch of this program allowed for the establishment of the first clean room in the Middle East and North Africa. The clean rooms are currently being equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for educational and basic research activities.

Masdar Institute was established as part of the Government of Abu Dhabi’s vision and commitment to a long-term, sustainable knowledge economy. The research-driven Institute has been developed in cooperation with one of the world’s most respected academic institutions, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Masdar Institute, which will be the centerpiece of the multifaceted Masdar Initiative, launched by Mubadala Development Company, will feed Abu Dhabi and the region with highly talented individuals and research expertise, thereby enhancing economic development and diversification through human capital and technological innovation. 

Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced it is joining with Honeywell’s UOP to commission a study on the sustainability of a leading family of saltwater-based plant candidates for renewable jet fuel. The study is being commissioned as part of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (www.safug.org) consortium. The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi will lead the study, which will examine the overall potential for sustainable, large-scale production of biofuels made from salicornia bigelovii and saltwater mangroves – plants known as halophytes. Yale University’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and UOP will also participate in the analysis, which will include an assessment of the total carbon lifecycle of biofuels.

Halophytes can be highly productive sources of biomass energy, thrive in arid land and can be irrigated with sea water, making them suitable for biofuel development and Abu Dhabi a viable location for conducting a lifecycle-analysis study. With improved plant science and agronomy, early testing results indicate that halophytes have the potential to deliver very high yields per unit of land.

“Boeing and the scientific and academic communities are stepping forward to look at the totality of each renewable fuel source that can help us reduce carbon emissions,” said Billy Glover, managing director of Environmental Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “By working with Masdar Institute to look at these species in a formal research framework, we will better know if certain types of halophytes meet the carbon reduction and socioeconomic criteria that will allow them to become part of a portfolio of sustainable biofuel solutions for aviation.”

The Government of Abu Dhabi founded the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (www.masdar.ac.ae) to research and develop alternative energy and sustainable technologies. Masdar Institute is an independent, non-profit, research-driven graduate institution established with the support and cooperation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recognized as one of the world’s premier scientific institutions.

The halophyte study will evaluate aquaculture management and practices, land use and energy requirements and identify any potential adverse ecological or social impacts associated with using halophytes for energy development, specifically for aviation biofuel development.

“We must continue to evolve biofuels to incorporate feedstocks that are not only sustainable, but actually regenerative and can restore the ecosystems where they are found,” said Jennifer Holmgren, general manager of UOP Renewable Energy & Chemicals. “Global Seawater Inc. has led the development of a promising solution, and we are excited to be working with this team to further develop and understand the potential impact of integrated seawater systems.”

A successful outcome of the study will give the Masdar Initiative (www.masdar.ae) an opportunity to expand its portfolio of renewable energy technologies into biofuels that are sustainable and can be grown locally, Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis of Masdar Institute said. The Masdar Initiative aims to create and sustain the world’s first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city, Masdar City, located on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

“Masdar City will have access to important production of locally grown food and thus reduce its dependence on carbon-intensive imports,” Sgouridis said. “In terms of the United Arab Emirates, it would provide an additional significant source of biofuels that would allow the UAE to transition into a less fossil fuel-dependent economy.”

Sustainable biofuel development is a key component of aviation’s strategy for lowering carbon emissions. Potential plant sources being considered are only ones that don’t distort the global food-chain, compete with fresh water resources or lead to unintended land use change. To verify data gathered during the analysis, the halophyte study will be peer-reviewed by third parties and measured against practices and principles developed by the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels. The results are expected to be available in late 2010.

The event provided potential students with direct information and access to those responsible for leading the research-centric Master’s in Microsystems, an entirely new degree program announced in February 2010 by Masdar Institute and ATIC, developed in collaboration with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This new program has been offered with a view towards establishing Abu Dhabi as a hub for advanced technologies.

With 20 fully funded places available and the new academic program due to commence at start of the academic year in the fall (2010) at Masdar Institute, the timely information session introduced some of the UAE’s top engineering talent to the unparalleled opportunities within one of the most dynamic and exciting areas of technology, the semiconductor industry.

During the day, attendees met to discuss their long-term career options and the various avenues in which they could contribute towards the long-term strategic development of Abu Dhabi in the field of microsystems.

Speaking on behalf of Masdar Institute, Dr. Marwan Khraisheh, Dean of Engineering, said;

“For those UAE students who are considering joining the new program the opportunities are enormous. Abu Dhabi is focused and committed on becoming a leader in the semiconductor industry. The MSc Microsystems program is a vital stepping stone for anyone wanting to make a valuable contribution as a future leader within a knowledge-led economy in Abu Dhabi as a well as an emerging global industry of critical importance.”

“Masdar Institute is dedicated to providing high quality faculty, students and facilities, and communicating the platform through innovative outreach events such as this one today. The reaction from students today has been very encouraging. It’s important those interested in the program get all the facts they need and can ask direct questions so they are made fully aware of the world of opportunities that now exist in the UAE.” 

Commenting on the importance of the MSc program, Mr. Ibrahim Ajami, CEO of ATIC said: “Human capital development is at the core of establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading center for semiconductor technology and innovation. This specially-designed curriculum will ensure that we have post-graduates here in Abu Dhabi with the knowledge, talent and expertise to increase Abu Dhabi’s footprint in the global semiconductor industry”.

The program curriculum will cover topics including: nanoprocessing, digital systems, integrated microelectronic devices and the physics of micro-fabrication. With an emphasis on developing skills for the future, students will be given the opportunity to participate in an internship at one of GlobalFoundries fabrication facilities located in Dresden, Germany and Singapore.  ATIC is also substantially contributing to the cleanroom being established at Masdar Institue. This equipment will enable the development of hands-on coursework experience for students.

Students enrolled on the MSc program will also benefit from access to an ATIC/GlobalFoundries mentor who will be available to provide career guidance and support as they progress through the field of Microsystems.

Interested students are encouraged to contact the admissions department at Masdar Institute, by telephone on+971 2 6988122 or e-mail registrar@masdar.ac.ae for more information on the program curriculum and he application procedure.

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the Middle East’s first graduate research institution dedicated to alternative energy, environmental technologies and sustainability, welcomed a group of students from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as part of a five-day fieldtrip to Abu Dhabi to study the practical application of technology in renewable energy solutions.

Thirty-two first-year undergraduate students, 16 upper-class students, 4 MIT alumni mentors, and 4 staff members travelled from the United States on an intensive study tour to explore Abu Dhabi’s efforts in the capture and storage of CO2 and to gain practical knowledge in carbon sequestration through Masdar’s carbon management program. The study tour has included lectures presented by Masdar Executives and Masdar Institute faculty, as well as visits to various sites at Masdar City where testing of renewable energy technologies is taking place. The fieldtrip is part of a yearlong, focused study effort for first year students at MIT, known as the Terrascope Program. Each year the program starts with a Mission to solve an “unsolvable” or very complex problem.

This year’s mission is the global problem of rising levels of CO2. The class explored ways of reducing global output as well as methods for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and then developed a mitigated and abatement plan for the coming decades. Part of Terrascope’s goal is to provide MIT students the opportunity to visit different parts of the world in the pursuit of its academic mission to help solve complex global problems. Because this year’s real world problem is the steady rise of CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere, the Masdar Institute, which has been established with the advice and assistance of MIT, makes Abu Dhabi the ideal global location to witness the application of technical solutions to CO2 mitigation and abatement firsthand.

“I’m delighted to welcome the first MIT student field trip to Masdar Institute. This visit exemplifies the nature and strength of the relationship between Masdar Institute and MIT and the relationship’s interdisciplinary approach to academics and research”, said Dr. John Perkins, Provost of Masdar Institute.”
“Our close relationship with MIT continues to evolve and develop with time and I hope that this will be the first of many student visits and exchanges between Masdar Institute and MIT,” added Dr Perkins.

“Many global challenges are too big and complex to be solved by any one person or discipline and must involve integration and team work. The Terrascope Program attempts to teach students, early in their academic careers, how to build teams and develop solutions to real world problems that require multidisciplinary approaches,” explained MIT Professor, Sam Bowring.

The Terrascope Program at MIT was established in 2002 to provide students with hands-on experience in exploring and studying different and important problems facing the world. Past fieldtrips include visits to the Brazilian Amazon, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the Galapagos, Chile, New Orleans, Iceland and Arizona. The March 21-26 visit to Abu Dhabi, hosted by Masdar and Masdar Institute faculty and students, provided the students with both academic and cultural experiences including a wide range of technical presentations centering on the creation of Masdar City. This year’s trip has been sponsored by the Massiah Foundation.

“This field trip brings the challenges of working with multiple global partners to develop commercial scale, sustainable energy solutions, to life and makes it real to this year’s Terrascope class.”, added Professor Bowring. Dr. Marwan Khraisheh, Dean of Engineering, Masdar Institute commented that: “The multidisciplinary academic and research approach of Masdar Institute, combined with the Masdar Initiative’s opportunity to test and deploy new technologies on an unrivalled scale, makes Abu Dhabi perhaps the best place for MIT students to experience firsthand the cutting-edge innovation and critical thinking that is going on in renewable energy solutions. I hope the visit to Abu Dhabi and Masdar will live long in the student’s memories and inspire innovative responses to their mission on carbon sequestration.