Understanding the impact of various design parameters on UAE neighborhoods – including their infrastructure, housing, transport options and energy and water demands – is the first step towards developing new, more sustainable designs for healthier, low-carbon neighborhoods in the region, Masdar Institute PhD student Ahmed Almulla highlighted in his address to the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) Annual Conference last week in Portland, Oregon, USA.

Almulla is part of a team of MI researchers studying sustainable neighborhood parameters in the UAE, which includes Dr. Khaled Al Awadi, Assistant Professor of Engineering Systems and Management, and Asim Khanal, MSc student in Sustainable Critical Infrastructure.

The team is analyzing the evolution of built landscapes and policies in Dubai’s Emirati neighborhoods – which are government subsidized neighborhoods developed exclusively for UAE Nationals – with the aim of creating enhanced urban forms that will deliver greater environmental, social and economic coherence. Urban forms include the physical patterns, layouts, and structures that make up an urban area.

“Emirati neighborhoods account for 15% of Dubai’s urban area. This housing stock is primarily driven by government policies and market forces, rather than by sustainable planning solutions, such as mixed densities, diversity and land-use mix, pointing to the critical need to implement alternative neighborhood typologies that are more ecologically and socially sensitive,” Almulla said.

In order to design alternative, sustainable neighborhood typologies for Emirati neighborhoods, Almulla and Khanal first analyzed the current classification of characteristics and created a classification index. They did this by conducting a built landscape-oriented analysis to understand how the built environment impacts things like vehicle use, walkability, energy demand and other important sustainability factors in a neighborhood.

This type of analysis has not been done in the UAE until now, and the research team expects that their findings will guide planners and policy makers to design alternative, more sustainable neighborhood models for cities in hot, arid regions, like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other cities in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

With tools like Geographic Information Systems software, the team mapped spatial and morphological patterns – including building profiles and road networks – for eight Emirati neighborhoods in Dubai. These quantitative measurements help to facilitate comparison between neighborhoods and aid analysis of how different morphological attributes affect different aspects of sustainability, such as connectivity, accessibility, and efficient utilization of lands.

The team then conducted an Urban Network Analysis (UNA) of the neighborhoods, producing a visual analysis of densities, distances between, and accessibilities to buildings. That analysis, coupled with the quantitative measurements of the buildings and roads, provides an integrated approach to assessing the neighborhood’s urban form and infrastructure.

Additionally, the researchers performed another type of analysis to determine which streets in a neighborhood were the most integrated, requiring the fewest turns to reach all other streets or destinations, and which streets had the lowest depth distance (those streets that are nearest to all other streets), in order to identify an optimal road network for the neighborhood.

These elements are now being evaluated to identify those physical attributes that are positive and influence neighborhood sustainability and should thus be incorporated into the new sustainable neighborhood design.

“We are still in the process of constructing indicators and modules based on our analysis of the existing urban form, which combines quantitative and qualitative data in order to create a framework, or urban development tools, for which to guide the design of sustainable neighborhood prototypes,” Almulla explained. His research views sustainability as the integration of qualitative and quantitative factors and metrics reflecting the study of real urban problems in real places.

The next steps include using a scenario planning tool called “Envision Tomorrow” to guide the design of new neighborhoods and test the neighborhood models for maximum efficiency, lower emissions, and greater feasibility.

The ACSP Annual Conference attracts more than one thousand planning and urban design scholars from among the top planning faculty across the world, along with a substantial group of doctoral students and practitioners seeking knowledge and scholarship. The prestigious conference provided Almulla and by extension, the entire Masdar Institute research team involved in urban planning-focused research, the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from top scholars in the field.

This project is one of many being conducted through MI’s MSc in Sustainable Critical Infrastructure program aimed at transforming UAE’s urban centers into sustainable, walkable, and environmentally friendly areas to promote better health and socioeconomic well being.

Erica Solomon
News and Features Writer
7 November, 2016

Today, His Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, was given a tour of Masdar City, where he took part in a Youth Circle organised by the Emirates Youth Council. The visit was part of a tour of the region, which builds on the longstanding relationship between the UAE and the UK.

The Youth Circle, hosted outside the Masdar Institute Knowledge Centre, brought together young and talented professionals and students to share their hopes, ideas and concerns. On the topic of “Engaging and Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future,” the event provided a platform for youth-centric discussions on some of the most important challenges and opportunities facing the world today.

Youth Circles were established in line with the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to inspire sustainable youth-centric dialogue across sectors. Youth Circles are a platform to enable youth to express their opinions on societal challenges and policy matters, and to catalyze community impact and youth leadership. 

Prior to the Youth Circle, His Royal Highness toured Masdar City and Masdar Institute. The tour was led by His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar; Her Excellency Shamma Sohail Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Mohamed Al Ramahi, Masdar CEO; Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and Masdar leadership team.

As part of the visit, The Prince of Wales was given an insight into Masdar’s growing portfolio of clean energy projects across the globe, including those in the UK: London Array, the largest offshore wind farm in the world, and Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm, which is set for production in the first quarter of 2017. He also met with researchers from four Masdar Institute projects, highlighting the Institute’s leadership in sustainable technology research.

His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “The visit of His Royal Highness reinforces the strong bilateral ties that exist between the UAE and UK. The Prince of Wales has been playing a leadership role on sustainability issues since long before they became part of the global agenda, so he was particularly interested to understand the pioneering strides made since the formation of Masdar 10 years ago to advance the adoption of clean energy and responsible development.” 

Her Excellency Shamma Sohail Al Mazrui said: “It was an honor to have His Royal Highness Prince Charles championing an important priority for both the UAE and UK, namely youth and sustainability. Through engaging youth-led initiatives such as Youth Circles, the UAE is providing a valuable platform for youth to lead the global dialogue on sustainability, while in turn developing knowledge and human potential.”

She added: “Youth are the ones who are inheriting tomorrow’s world, so it is imperative to integrate them into the global conversation on sustainability through platforms such as Youth Circles. Our generation will bring a young, fresh and creative perspective to problem-solving for a sustainable future.”  

Dr. Al Yousuf said: “Masdar Institute is honoured to host His Royal Highness Prince Charles, who has been a champion for environmentalism for over 40 years. His visit, which adds to our growing list of visits from leading international royalty, shows the shared value of sustainability. Earth is our collective responsibility, which is why Masdar Institute strives to collaborate across borders with international partners to develop solutions and innovations to real-world sustainability challenges. Today’s Youth Circle event is also aligned with Masdar Institute’s focus on developing our young people into high-value human capital who will help lead the country’s knowledge economy transformation.”

The Prince of Wales has a long relationship with Masdar and Masdar Institute. In 2008, he gave a keynote address at the inaugural World Future Energy Summit (WFES), a conference held during the Masdar-hosted Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Masdar Press Team
07 November 2016

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and the Abdul Aziz Bin Humaid Leadership Program 2016-2017, today jointly hosted a workshop to provide young professionals with guidance on how to tackle the challenges posed to the UAE by climate change and the need for sustainability.  

The one-day event at Masdar Institute was part of round-4 of the Abdul Aziz Bin Humaid Leadership Program 2016-2017, being held in Abu Dhabi. Titled ‘Sustainability and Innovation for Climate-Compatible Business Practices’, the workshop was designed to offer an overview of concepts in sustainable development and the circular economy,  which refers to an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design and aims to keep products, components and materials at their highest utility and value at all times.

The workshop also delivered a climate negotiations simulation to the young mid-level manager attendees, with an interactive interface, and interaction among the participants. Lessons from the simulation were then used to start a discussion on global approaches to a sustainable energy transition and their implications for the UAE and its role in the global energy system. The workshop wrapped up with a hands-on module for developing workable solutions in the energy sector through class and instructor feedback.  

Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “Engaging with young people on critical topics and providing them with the skills they need is an important responsibility for all educational institutions. We hope the Abdul Aziz Bin Humaid Leadership Program workshop participants will continue to act on what they learnt at Masdar Institute and carry the values of sustainability forward in their future professional work.”  

Shaikha Ali Al Nuaimi, Corporate Communication Manager, Abdul Aziz Bin Humaid Leadership Program, said: “Sustainability leadership requires forward-thinkers with extraordinary abilities. These leaders need the emotional intelligence to appropriately manage a variety of personalities. They must also be visionaries, able to prepare their team to cope with change to face these complex challenges. We are honoured to present the third day of ‘My Creativity Week’ on innovation and sustainability, in collaboration with Masdar Institute, the global sustainability platform.”  

Dr. Toufic Mezher, Professor, Engineering Systems and Management, and Dr. Sgouris Sgouridis, Associate Professor, Engineering Systems and Management, led the workshop from Masdar Institute. They covered topics including sustainable development, circular economy, and technology strategy, and interactive negotiation exercise.  

Affiliated with Masdar Institute’s Institute Center for Smart and Sustainable Systems (iSmart), Dr. Mezher’s research interests include energy strategy and policy, sustainable development, and technology strategy and innovation systems. Dr. Sgouridis’s research interests focus on understanding sustainable energy transitions using engineering systems modeling. He is also involved in research in energy currency, electric vehicle adoption, sustainable aviation, and the energy transition globally and regionally.  

The Abdul Aziz bin Humaid Leadership Program is a six-month program that targets 20 participants aged 25-35 years from middle management in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for each module. The carefully-selected participants then complete a six-week bootcamp that takes place for one week every month from October to March across various emirates.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
09 November 2016

A team of three Masdar Institute students has won the 2016 Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) Student Award for their dynamic solution for public transportation in Abu Dhabi.

The students received the 2016 TRL Student Award at the prestigious Gulf Traffic Awards 2016 for their project titled ‘Bus Oriented Development (BOD)’. The theme of the competition in the student category was ‘sustainability’ and the Masdar Institute team’s proposal was shortlisted for its ‘Innovation and creativity’, ‘Applicability to the region’ and ‘Impact’.

The student team includes Engineering Systems and Management students Asim Khanal, Allan Pimenta and Jean Phelippe Ramos. Khanal’s research advisor is Dr. Khaled Alawadi, Assistant Professor, Engineering Systems and Management.

Dr. Abdulla Al Hefeiti, Interim Dean of Students and Dean of Library, Masdar Institute, said: “Congratulations to the Masdar Institute students – Asim, Allan and Jean Phellipe – for their creative sustainability project. These talented young innovators are a credit to Masdar Institute and its commitment to attracting and developing some of the world’s most promising problem-solvers. I am confident we will see more great things from them in years to come.”

The BOD idea proposes an Abu Dhabi Bus Rapid Transit system for Abu Dhabi related to the emirate’s planned metro system, which is scheduled for completion in 2020. In a Bus Rapid Transit system, buses run in an exclusive lane, thus avoiding traffic so that they can be more quick and effective.

The project also proposes a ‘smart mobile app’ that can be used for multiple purposes. It would include a fare discount system based on passenger’s level of daily walking. This will encourage people to walk because they will receive discount coupons based on the distance they walk. In this way the project promotes healthy, sustainable and vibrant communities. Moreover, commuters will be able to buy tickets, reserve seats and access real-time touristic and traffic information via the app. These functions are intended to make the app a powerful marketing tool for partners and a nice interface for passengers.

Award recipient Khanal said: “We believe we won because our idea offers a holistic solution to improve the public transportation in Abu Dhabi. Along with efficient transport services, it also takes into consideration public health concerns such the need to promote walkability, land use planning in the vicinity of the bus stations, and consequent economic clusters that can be created so that development is initiated by the inception of our project.”

TRL, a global center for innovation in transport and mobility, instituted the TRL Student Award in September 2016 to tap into the creative skills of today’s younger generation and help solve practical, real life problems while also helping the country in its move towards more economic growth.

The award aims to recognize outstanding proposals from the UAE’s smartest students and their proposals for sustainable traffic solutions that promote socially and environmentally sustainable transport of passengers and goods. These solutions may address the vehicles used, the transportation infrastructure, the energy source, and the logistics of the transport system or transport planning measures to promote sustainability.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
20 November 2016

Student research activities focused on making the UAE’s future brighter were the focus of 45th UAE National Day celebrations at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology campus in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “The UAE celebrates its 45th National Day during a year of increased intellectual focus and achievement, as 2016 is also the UAE’s Year of Reading. This year Masdar Institute has its own additional cause for celebration following the achievement of its own major milestone of 50% enrolment of UAE nationals in our student body, highlighting our emphasis on educating the country’s talented young men and women in the advanced fields of relevance to the country’s sustainable and innovative future. I hope this year’s UAE National Day heralds even greater results.”

Several research projects of relevance to the UAE’s future development goals including energy sustainability and water security, were also showcased. Some of the projects included a model to help city managers and planners conduct simulation-aided design of Abu Dhabi’s downtown to reduce cooling demand, a combination of satellite-based monitoring and sophisticated computer modeling, web-based portals and mobile applications to detect, track and forecast fog to reduce potential air travel disruptions, automated and customized sensor technologies that reduce mosques’ overall energy consumption, a novel an Anti-Wastage Service Dish to mitigate food waste in hotels and restaurants, a smart wudu system to conserve water, and many others.

The day’s activities began with the playing of the UAE National Anthem and singing of parotic songs by representatives of the student body. Following a dance performance by school students, a quiz program on the UAE and its achievements offered participants an opportunity to win exciting prizes.

At the backdrop of a traditional tent on the campus, a harbiya band played music while an exhibition showcased tools that were once used in agriculture and fishing. Calligraphy and handicraft – two skills the UAE is renowned for – provided guests and visitors a peep into the rich culture of the country. Students from the Art Club offered on the spot drawings on canvases for those interested in sharing the creative works.

Traditional activities were also part of the day’s festivities at Masdar Institute’s campus, including Emirati music dance performances, a quiz program on the UAE and its achievements, and stalls featuring traditional arts including calligraphy, leather crafting, and copper works.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
29 November 2016

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, was presented with the prestigious Arab Woman Awards UAE 2016 in the ‘Business Of Education’ category.

Dr. Al Yousuf, who is Masdar Institute’s highest official, was one of 20 inspirational women leaders in the UAE who were honored with the Arab Woman Awards, which aim to recognize successful women in business, education, entrepreneurship, media, government, literature, and other fields. Since its launch in 2009, the awards have become a powerful platform for recognizing role models for a new generation of young women.

Upon accepting the award, Dr. Al Yousuf said: “I am honored to receive the Arab Woman Awards UAE. This award exemplifies the vision of the UAE’s leadership for creating opportunities for women to contribute to the development of the UAE, especially in science and technology. The UAE has consistently remained a pioneer in advancing and empowering women in the Arab world following the leadership’s initiatives. I offer my sincere gratitude to those who selected me for this award and my special thanks to those who continue to support women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).”

The 2016 panel of judges for the Arab Woman Awards UAE was led by the late Ameera binKaram, former Chairperson of the Sharjah Businesswomen’s Council, former Vice Chairperson of Nama Women Advancement Establishment and Chairperson of the Arab Women’s Award. It also included influencers, government members and prominent business leaders such as Sheikha Nawar Al Qassimi, Sharjah Art Foundation; Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Masdar Director of Sustainability; Her Excellency Reem Alshemari, Director of Strategic Communications Affairs at the Executive Affairs Authority (EAA); Noor Sweid, Partner at Leap Ventures; Nadine Y. Maalouf, Owner of the SME Advisory Group; Dr. Mona Hammami, Director at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; leading Abu Dhabi business woman Asma Al Fahim; TV presenter Zeina Al Yaziji; Editor in Chief of Hello! Arabia Gina Tadros and Dubai based designer, Aljoud Lootah.

This year’s edition of the awards also saw a special tribute paid to the late Ameera BinKaram, who had been the Chairperson of the Arab Women’s Award jury for the last four years.

Under Dr. Al Yousuf’s stewardship as interim provost, Masdar Institute has continued to make remarkable achievements in empowering women. At present out of a total of 456 students, 51% are female. There are also 14 women faculty members out of an overall 91 faculty.

Dr. Al Yousuf herself is a STEM professional, having received her PhD in Software Engineering from Reading University, UK, her MSc in Computer Science from Cardiff University, UK, and a BSc in Computer Engineering from University of North Carolina at Charlotte, US.

With a successful 26 year track record in higher education leadership and advancing science and technology in the academic sector, Dr. Al Yousuf has already been honored with several national awards. She received the prestigious United Arab Emirates Business Women Award for Career Achievements in 2006 and Sheikh Rashid Award for Scientific Achievement, in addition to outstanding community and leadership awards. In April 2008, the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) business school and The National newspaper deemed Dr. Al Yousuf one of 20 most influential women in UAE.

Additionally Dr. Al Yousuf is a member of a number of international and regional professional groups including the United Nations Global Alliances for Information Development (UN-GAID), World Federation of Women Engineering, International Taskforce for Women in Technology, Women Center for ICT and Women Educational Worldwide, and Dubai Quality Group. Her work has helped empower women to contribute to the UAE’s knowledge economy transformation by promoting women’s potential in the fields of science and technology.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
15 December 2016

Engineering Systems Management student Khulood Alhosani has become the proud recipient of the 2016 Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship award.

Chosen from among 14 applicants, Alhosani is the sixth Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholar selected by a three faculty-member selection committee for the depth of her content and quality of her writing.

Alhosani plans to use the scholarship to guide her research on ‘Cascading failure analysis based early design for a complex engineering system’.

Her faculty advisor Dr Khalid Al Ali, Assistant Professor, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, said: “The diligence and independence with which Khulood performed during her first semester course ‘Probability and Statistics’ was well matched by her enthusiasm. I have no doubt that she would be a success and I believe she is full of determination and confidence to engage in scientific works.”

The Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship was established after the Toyota corporation won the Zayed Future Energy Prize in 2010. The scholarship is designed to promote opportunities for students to work on projects relating to technologies for sustainable development. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to a first-year student in any one of Masdar Institute’s nine Master’s programs.

In addition to the usual Masdar Institute benefits, the scholarship recipient is provided with a special two-week ‘Japan Experience’ arranged by the Toyota Motor Corporation.

Scholarship applicants are assessed through their two-page essay that describes why the applicant would be a good representative of the Toyota Scholarship program and interviews on their career goals and interests in the Japan experience.

Alhosani said: “I am really glad to have been selected as the Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholar.I will be using my scholarship to develop sustainable solutions, and gain knowledge at Masdar Institute. I am also looking forward to the Toyota Japan Experience, where I’m hoping to learn about their culture and understand their time management skills, because they are very particular about the value of time.”

Over the years, the Masdar Institute-Toyota Scholarship has served as a platform for promising students to seek sustainable solutions in their chosen area of research.

Previous winners include Last year, Mechanical Engineering student Zainab Karam in 2015, Fatma Al Showab in 2014, Omar T. Mezher in 2013, Edgar E. Samano Baca in 2012 and Ayoola Brimmo in 2011.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
25 December 2016

A team of three Master’s students from Masdar Institute’s Space Systems and Technology Concentration experienced space science experimentation training and zero gravity as part of their prize after winning second place in the UAE Space Agency-Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Ideathon Competition.

Masdar Institute’s Engineering Systems and Management students Ahmad Abdulkarim and Abdullah Sharif and Microsystems Engineering student Azza Al Bakr were given the training and experience by JAXA in collaboration with the UAE Space Agency as part of a joint UAE-Japan initiative to promote space education among young people in the UAE.

Ahmad said: “We would like to thank the UAE Space Agency and JAXA for this educational program and the unique opportunity to experience zero gravity. We look forward to engaging in such programs that will benefit the UAE society and the space sector. The program focused on the theory of rocket launch and its safety. We learned the basics of flight model rockets which we got to build and launch. We learned that satellites play an important role not only in interplanetary exploration but also in our daily lives.”

The UAE Space Agency-JAXA Ideathon competition was part of the Global Space Congress youth outreach program, where students were asked to come up with creative ideas on how to utilize space technology in order to solve social issues and benefit society in the UAE. The Masdar Institute team presented the idea on “A Smart Traffic Monitoring System”, which won them the trip to Japan. The prize included an opportunity to participate in space science experimentation training in Japan as well as a parabolic flight to experience zero gravity at the Chiba Institute of Technology (Tsudanuma Campus). The parabolic flight, which is used to train astronauts in zero-gravity, was a unique experience for the students.

The students’ Smart Traffic Monitoring System idea utilizes Global Positioning System (GPS) in a smart way. Through a smartphone application, it would suggest a certain route in order to prevent congestion. The route might require more time and longer distance. But if the user follows the suggested route, fuel credit will be accounted to the user based on how far the user has travelled. In this way the user will have have prevented traffic and saved money. The motivation is to solve traffic issues in the UAE especially during peak hours.

Dr. Saif Al Mheiri, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Masdar Institute, who facilitated the student team’s participation in the competition, said: “Only through education, the development of a sustainable Emirati space program can become a reality. Educational activities such as the Ideathon Competition, parabolic flight and the CanSat program will certainly engage our young people in the space sector. At Masdar Institute, we are equipping our students with the skills needed to design and build small satellites; thus, these joint activities with the UAE Space Agency and JAXA will indeed enrich the learning outcomes of our Space Systems and Technology Concentration Program”.

Part of the training also included a brief introduction to the CanSat program. A CanSat is a type of sounding rocket payload used to teach space technology, similar to the technology used in miniaturized satellites. In CanSat competitions, the payload is required to fit inside the volume of a typical soda can (66mm diameter and 115mm height) and have a mass below 350g. The Masdar Institute students were also given a tour of an exhibition that showcased technologies used for space applications at the Tokyo SkyTree.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
26 January 2017

Prominent government and non-government sustainability stakeholders, including His Excellency Dr Ahmad Belhoul, UAE Minister of State for Higher Education, His Excellency Piyush Goyal, Indian Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, and Laurene Powell-Jobs, Founder and President of Emerson Collective, offered insights into leadership and professional development to members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program at the YFEL Theater during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2017.

Dr. Lamya N Fawwaz, Vice President for Public Affairs and Institutional Advancement, Masdar Institute, said: “Being able to hear from and speak with innovative pioneers can be a transformational experience for young people. We are thankful to the exceptional leaders that took the time to speak to our YFEL members, who will greatly benefit from their encouragement and inspirational words.”

Special sessions organized at the YFEL Theater during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2017, part of ADSW, allowed the member students and young professionals to build on their skill base through interaction with global energy leaders and decision-makers, while learning from their experiences to become capable future leaders.

Pointing out that the UAE culture is based on sustainability, His Excellency Dr Belhoul urged the YFEL members to adopt and embed a culture of sustainability in their activities. He told them that as the youth and future leaders they should be the harbingers of sustainable lifestyles during the course of their professional areas. He also congratulated Masdar Institute and Masdar for empowering the UAE’s best young talent, honing their skills and equipping them for the future through education in clean energy.

In her interactive session with the YFEL members, Powell-Jobs, Founder & Executive of the Emerson Collective, called the youth to remain in the forefront of ushering in new technologies through education, research and innovation. Explaining the role her foundation plays in empowering young people, she said that Emerson Collective is partnering with entrepreneurs and experts, parents and policymakers, advocates and administrators to spur change and promote equality. She urged the YFEL members to be more proactive in bringing forth ideas and actioning on them as responsible future leaders. Education is one of the priority areas for Emerson Collective, which is involved in empowering children and students through various initiatives, she added.

His Excellency Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, also engaged with the YFEL members and shared his perspectives on the need to save energy. His Excellency Goyal also said that the UAE was one of the few fossil fuel-rich countries that has the vision to turn to clean energy and sustainable solutions. He urged YFEL members to take the lead in raising awareness and adopting more sustainable ways in all walks of life. Several YFEL members raised community-relevant challenges in sustainability for which the Indian minister encouraged them to focus more on their role as key contributors to educating the community and the need to remain innovation-oriented.

Kathleen D. Kennedy, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Enterprise Forum, also shared with YFEL members her insights on the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation. Kennedy, who presides over MIT’s 20-chapter strong international community of technology entrepreneurs, also urged the youth to be more active in developing new ‘disruptive’ technologies that are creating opportunities for spreading sustainability.

Maher Ezzeddine, CEO of Idanco, Chairman and President of Harvard Business School Aerospace Alumni Group, also spoke to YFEL members on “Passion for Exploration and Innovation”. Idanco, an idea innovator company that focuses on generating new ideas and providing strategy consultancy, was an early adopter of crowdsourcing, a major innovation key differentiator.

Part of Masdar Institute’s outreach activities, YFEL offers young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad an opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges like tackling climate change. It also aims to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
29 January 2017

Mona Abdullah Al Ali, a Masdar Institute Class of 2013 alumna, has been awarded the Design Commission 2016 Competition’s first prize in the ‘healthcare facility’ category for her project titled ‘Enlightenment House’ for its dynamic concept of a sustainable neighborhood community center inspired by the indigenous al qebqab.

Her Excellency Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, founder of ADMAF, and Suood Al Kharmastiji from Mubadala presented Al Ali with the award for the competition, which was organized by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) with support from the Mubadala Development Company.

Al Ali’s design was for the extension of a healthcare facility for chronically ill patients and their families. Its look and healing purpose was inspired by the local al qebqab plant, which grows in the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE and is traditionally used to cure rheumatoid arthritis.

“After I came up with the idea of designing the ‘Enlightenment House’ for patients with chronic disease I searched for plants specifically local to the UAE that are used to cure the condition, which I myself have experienced. I found information about the al qebqab plant that has traditionally been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, which I incorporated into my design concept,” she said.

Al Ali also incorporated advanced sustainable materials like solar panels and efficient glazing systems in her project to reflect the UAE’s commitment to sustainability.

She said: “The use of solar panels integrated in the rooftop of the project reflects the environmental and advanced technology consideration imbibed in the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 plan. Also, creating livable a urban community within the project helps residents to explore the space and enhance the urban integration between the people and the space.”

Explaining her Enlightenment House project idea, she said she took into consideration the value of creating new urban spaces to give residents the opportunity to explore the space intellectually, emotionally and physically.
Al Ali continued: “The design combines a range of aesthetic stylistic elements spanning space and culture. The surrounding urban walkways feature lush greenery and fountains to a produce natural musical soundscape to provide a holistic and multi-sensory experience that helps patients to relax and relieve their tension.”

Al Ali strongly believes that her experience as an MSc in Engineering Systems and Management student at Masdar Institute played a strong role in helping her design the Enlightenment House concept and believes it will continue to guide her in the future.

“The experience I gained from Masdar Institute is reflected in my design; the knowledge I gained from the specialists in solar photovoltaic systems in the built environment enabled me to integrate sustainability and advance technology into my design, such as the use of solar panels in the rooftop, and the use of high performance glazing systems,” the art and engineering enthusiast explained.

She is confident she can further build on her creativity and talent in designing sustainable architecture. However, she is not waiting for the right opportunity to come by. She has already set up her own business venture.

“Even though I am exploring employment opportunities, I have already established my own designing business where I can use my talent in designing and creating beauty in the space where we live in,” she remarked.

Applicants for the Design Commission 2016 Competition were required to submit a design proposal for a ‘Creativity Zone’ within one of three sectors – a healthcare facility, educational environment, or aeronautical environment. The design of the zone also needed to demonstrate a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math’s (STEAM) educational philosophy inspired by Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
9 February 2017