Visitors Voted for Winning Photographs at Masdar Institute 

Abu Dhabi-UAE: May 15, 2011– The results of the first annual Student/Faculty/Staff Photo Exhibition at Masdar Institute were declared recently, based on 120 votes cast by visitors to the week-long event.

Faculty member Dr. Michael Xiao won the first prize for his photo, “The Return”, followed by student Su Liu for his photo “Beautiful Salalah”. Khasaiba Al Dalal, another student, won the third prize for her photo “Above the Sky”.

The winning photographs were selected from among 18 photographs that were put on display based on the theme “Sustainability Through Your Eyes”. The concept allowed participants to express what living in a sustainable environment meant to them.

CAPTION: Winners of the Student/Faculty/Staff Photo Exhibition (from left) Su Liu, Dr. Michael Xiao and Khasaiba Al Dalal with their photographs.

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About Masdar Institute

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) was established by the government of Abu Dhabi as a not-for-profit, private graduate university to develop indigenous R&D capacity in Abu Dhabi addressing issues of importance to the region.

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that articulates its mission and vision according to critical energy and sustainability challenges.

An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective. This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.

Masdar Institute offers degrees in:

• MSc Engineering Systems and Management
• MSc Computing and Information Science
• MSc Materials Science and Engineering
• MSc Mechanical Engineering
• MSc Water and Environmental Engineering
• MSc Microsystems Engineering
• MSc Electrical Power Engineering
• MSc Chemical Engineering
• Interdisciplinary Doctoral Degree PhD program

For more information please visit our website .
For more information contact:
Name: Sheerin Al Shinawy
Email: salshinawy@masdar.ac.ae
Phone: +971 02 8109371
 

Alumni Day Held at College of Engineering 

Abu Dhabi: May 8, 2011– The Alumni Open Day organized by UAE University in Al Ain recently allowed alumni members of the College of Engineering a glimpse of the higher academic opportunities at Masdar Institute that are available for them. The event, held at Maqam New Campus, UAE University – Al Ain, was supported by Masdar Institute.

Former students and engineering industry professionals who attended the event were impressed to find out about the higher education opportunities available through graduate and continuing education programs.

About 350 people, including VIP guests, UAEU faculty, alumni members, and senior engineering students attended the event. His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al Khanbashi, the Vice-Chancellor of UAEU; Dr Reyadh AL Muhaideb, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Marwan Khraisheh, the Dean of Engineering, Masdar Institute; Dr Lamya Fawwaz, the Executive Director of Public Affairs, Masdar Institute; and Hamza Kazim, the Vice-President of Operations & Finance at Masdar Institute, attended the event along with guests and industry experts invited by the UAEU vice-chancellor’s office.

A welcome address was delivered by Dean Reyadh AL Muhaideb, followed by a speech by Dr. Marwan Khraisheh, Dean of Engineering of Masdar Institute.
“As per the Vision 2030, the Abu Dhabi leadership is targeting a number of highly technical fields, including energy, aerospace, defense and advanced materials, as being crucial to drive its future economic development. For these industries to develop and grow to be engines of economic growth, the country will need many UAE Nationals with advanced degrees in this sector. I urge you then – those who are still pursuing their studies and those of you who have attained your bachelor’s and master’s degrees – to consider further studies,” Dr. Khraisheh said.

“A number of universities, including UAE University and Masdar Institute, are offering degree programs in response to Abu Dhabi’s strategic needs. The opportunities are there, we just need the dedicated individuals to step up and lead this transformation,” he added.

This was followed by a speech from an alumni member and an overview of the UAEU alumni website and the services provided by the university. After specific department meetings, the guests were taken on a tour of the new campus.

Located in Abu Dhabi, Masdar Institute continually supports UAEU events in different ways in order to nurture the highly-skilled human and intellectual capital capable to transform Abu Dhabi to a knowledge-based economy.
Masdar Institute’s degree programs have been developed with the support and collaboration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

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About Masdar Institute

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) was established by the government of Abu Dhabi as a not-for-profit, private graduate university to develop indigenous R&D capacity in Abu Dhabi addressing issues of importance to the region.
In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that articulates its mission and vision according to critical energy and sustainability challenges.
An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective. This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.

Masdar Institute offers degrees in:

• MSc Engineering Systems and Management
• MSc Computing and Information Science
• MSc Materials Science and Engineering
• MSc Mechanical Engineering
• MSc Water and Environmental Engineering
• MSc Microsystems Engineering
• MSc Electrical Power Engineering
• MSc Chemical Engineering
• Interdisciplinary Doctoral Degree PhD program

For more information please visit our website .
For more information contact:
Name: Sheerin Al Shinawy
Email: salshinawy@masdar.ac.ae
Phone: +971 02 8109371
 

Abu Dhabi: April 6, 2011 – During a forum convened today by the Clean Energy, Education and Empowerment (C3E) Initiative in Abu Dhabi, distinguished female leaders highlighted the important role for women in the clean energy revolution, and the need to overcome barriers to their participation and leadership in clean energy-related fields.

C3E is one of 11 initiatives as part of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) dialogue.
Today’s C3E forum is hosted by the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology on behalf of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is hosting the second CEM meeting this week in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the CEM Secretariat based in Washington, DC.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, opened the C3E event before keynote remarks were provided by Lykke Friis, Minister of Energy & Climate Change and Gender Equality, Denmark; Dipuo Peters, Minister of Energy, South Africa and Maud Olofsson, Minister of Energy and Enterprise, Sweden. HE Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, also gave a keynote speech at the event. 

“Helping increase women’s participation in the critical areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is critical not only to the UAE’s own development and economic evolution, as envisaged by our Founding Father Sheikh Zayed, but it is a mission that we share with others worldwide. That is why Masdar Institute’s participation in C3E is of such importance – not only is humanity’s need to promote women in STEM shared, but so too are the challenges, which we are gathering to address, inspired by the efforts of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chair of the Family Development Foundation, who is seeking to assist, advance and empower women to effectively contribute to the UAE’s economic and social development,” said Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs at Masdar Institute.

Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Associate Director of Sustainability, Masdar, who took part in a panel discussion on “The Role of Women in the Clean Energy Revolution” at the event, added: “A gender perspective is essential in looking for clean energy solutions to help mitigate the impact of climate change. In many societies around the world, a gender gap exists in science and engineering fields that most often provide the training for careers in clean energy research and business. Masdar Institute, however, is different with 61% of the UAE students being females. One of the main aims of C3E is to highlight examples of successful integration of women in the clean energy sectors. Sustainable advancements of clean energy technologies will be an elusive goal without the contribution of women.” 

Dr. Georgeta Vidican, Assistant Professor in the Engineering Systems and Management Program at Masdar Institute, who took part in a panel discussion on “Smart Policies to Scale Up Women’s Leadership in Clean Energy” at the event, said: “Increasing the representation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics can benefit society through stronger, more inclusive and sustainable growth. In drawing from a larger pool of talent, such as the women currently studying at Masdar Institute, we will be better equipped to develop the clean energy solutions that will mitigate the impact of climate change. The hope is that C3E will encourage the next generation of women to provide their own contributions to the clean energy revolution.”

C3E was launched at the first CEM in July 2010 with participation from eight governments, including the UAE, and 30 distinguished women from the clean energy field. The initiative is of particular importance to Masdar Institute, the world’s first graduate university focused on research and development of science and technology, which has 37 percent female representation in its student body. Masdar Institute also has as its first UAE National faculty member a distinguished Emirati woman professor Dr. Amal Al Ghaferi.

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Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, and Siemens have signed the detailed agreements on their long term Strategic Partnership, which was first announced in October 2010. “Today the partnership of Siemens and Masdar has reached a significant milestone of what will be a long term strategic collaboration,” said Wolfgang Dehen, CEO of the Siemens Energy Sector and Member of the Siemens Board. “Not only have we firmly established the framework of our technology cooperation, but also the relocation of our regional headquarters to Masdar City. This marks the first time that Siemens has moved headquarters of a global division, that was established in Germany, into a region; a unique commitment to Abu Dhabi and the Middle East and a convincing demonstration of our vision to act as a global company with strong links to our customers.”

Siemens’ proposition to research and develop new, clean technologies with Masdar Institute, represents the largest global commitment of its kind with a science and technology institution that Siemens has ever embarked upon. The agreement entails a long term R&D program for Smart Grids, Smart Buildings, and Carbon Capture and Storage in form of scholarships and R&D funding, as well as educational programs for the advancement of the knowledge economy in the United Arab Emirates. The research and development cooperation at Masdar Institute is in support of Abu Dhabi’s pledge to develop a knowledge driven society.

“With this long term and strategic partnership with a leading global company, such as Siemens, Masdar will establish the foundations for developing and testing new technologies involving energy efficiency and carbon abatement that have both regional and global benefits”, said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar 

More and more people are living in cities which now account for 75 percent of the energy consumed worldwide and are responsible for 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. “We are sure that this groundbreaking clean energy project in Abu Dhabi will also promote sustainable cities globally,” Dehen added.

The move of both the global oil and gas headquarters and the regional headquarters to Abu Dhabi underlines Siemens’ commitment to the Middle East. The company’s Middle East region stretches from Pakistan, to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Libya.

In the near future Siemens will open a centre of excellence for building technologies in Masdar City.
 

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology has been selected as the lead research institution to represent the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the European Union-GCC Clean Energy Network.

The network is being set up to advance the shared common interest between the EU and the GCC for strategic energy cooperation. Masdar Institute’s selection for this prestigious role, which cements the UAE’s position as an emerging research and development hub, was made following presentations by Gulf research institutions to the Energy Team on the GCC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday February 27th.

The EU-GCC Clean Energy Network is being set up to be a catalyst of coordination for the development of cooperation on clean energy and to be an instrument to develop concrete cooperation activities in the area of clean energy technologies, including the related policy and technology aspects, among various players across the EU and GCC countries.

As the lead research representative for the network, Masdar Institute will work together with the institution representing the EU countries – the Institute of Communications and Computer Systems at the National Technical University of Athens – in order to set up a mechanism for the creation of a Clean Energy Technology Network over the course of the next three years. The lead research institutions share the following responsibilities for the EU-GCC Clean Energy Network: Network creation; Network operation; Network promotion and dissemination of information and proposals; and Network sustainable strategy.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, said: “Masdar Institute is honored to be selected as the Gulf’s lead representative for the EU-GCC Clean Energy Network. To make this network a success it will require the development of strong collaborative partnerships. This is something that has always been a part of our ethos at Masdar Institute. We recognize that clean energy solutions will only be developed by working with other academic institutions, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as partnering with corporations working in this space, such as Boeing, Etihad and Siemens. This is part of Masdar Institute’s unique offering, and it was a determining factor in this selection process.”

Masdar Institute’s proposal to be the GCC’s lead research body in the collaborative network received the full support of the UAE Ministry of Energy in its capacity as a member of the Energy Team on the GCC that reviewed the candidate institutions. 

Hamza Kazim, Vice President of Operations and Finance, Masdar Institute, said: “Masdar Institute is delighted to be named the regional representative for the Clean Energy Network. This has been made possible with the strong support, and through our ongoing collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy. The selection committee was greatly impressed by initiatives such as Masdar, the World Future Energy Summit, and the Zayed Future Energy Prize, which highlighted the UAE’s ongoing commitment to clean energy. We are looking forward to start work with the GCC Secretariat General and to making this initiative a great success over the next three years.”

Masdar Institute is the world’s first graduate research institution dedicated to alternative energy and sustainable technologies. It is located in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 2, 2011 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, a graduate-level institution based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), yesterday gave a presentation to Boston-area students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Masdar Institute, which was established with the advice and assistance of MIT, focuses its academic and research agenda on renewable energy and sustainable technologies and offers full scholarships to all successful admitted students.

“Masdar Institute is dedicated to developing students from the UAE and abroad in the renewable energy and sustainability fields,” said Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, executive director of public affairs, Masdar Institute. “The development of human capacity is paramount to solving pressing global sustainability issues and climate change.”

During the presentation at MIT, Masdar Institute, which is located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, also discussed its research facilities set in a unique sustainable campus which is a test bed for innovative technologies. Masdar Institute currently offers eight Master’s programs including the recently announced Chemical Engineering program which will be offered September 2011, as well as an interdisciplinary Ph.D.

Steven Meyers, a second year student at Masdar Institute who gave a presentation on student life in Abu Dhabi, said:  “It is a privilege for me to be able to study at the Masdar Institute, where I can bring real benefit to the UAE and beyond through my research in mechanical engineering. It is a huge incentive for all the students knowing that the work we do is helping to build a better future.”

“MIT is very excited about this important collaboration with Masdar Institute,” said Duane Boning, MIT Professor and Director of the MIT Abu Dhabi Program. “We look forward to working together to further advance studies in the strategic and highly important renewable energy and sustainability sectors.”

Masdar Institute began its recruitment tour in the United States with a visit to the UAE Embassy in Washington D.C., where it met UAE Nationals currently studying in the US. As the Institute targets the next generation of students interested in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors, it is visiting several elite universities over the course of the week, including Harvard University, Princeton University and Yale University. 

Masdar Institute began a student recruitment visit to the United States, by making a presentation to the UAE Embassy in Washington DC. The delegation from Masdar Institute was greeted by Dr. Husam Al Ulama, the UAE Cultural Attaché to the United States, who acknowledged the Institute’s commitment to developing the best and brightest talents in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

The delegation from Masdar Institute including faculty and students will visit universities including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, and Harvard University between Monday February 28th and Thursday March 3rd. Masdar Institute hopes to attract some of the UAE nationals currently studying in the US to apply to study at the graduate-level institution located in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi.

Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US, applauded the strides made by the Masdar Institute since its inception less than two years ago.  “In a short time, the Masdar Institute has established itself as one of the world’s leading research-driven universities for advanced energy and sustainable technologies,” said Ambassador Al Otaiba. “UAE nationals and other students who attend the Masdar Institute will be working to help address one of the toughest challenges facing society today – ensuring a future, sustainable clean energy supply for the UAE and the rest of the world.”

Dr. Husam Al Ulama, UAE Cultural Attaché to the United States, said: “We are delighted to welcome Masdar Institute to the UAE Embassy in Washington DC. The research and development conducted at the Institute is helping to tackle some of the most pressing problems in the climate change space facing the world today. With Abu Dhabi emerging as an international hub for the renewable energy and sustainability sectors, Masdar Institute is an ideal environment for UAE national students interested in these sectors to further their studies.”

During the visit to the UAE Embassy an overview of Masdar Institute was provided by Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs. Dr Fawwaz said: “Masdar Institute provides UAE national students with the opportunity to create a better future for Abu Dhabi and the UAE, by making it more sustainable and more energy efficient. In 2010, our student intake consisted of 34 per cent UAE nationals, with this recruitment visit we hope to encourage UAE nationals studying in the US to apply to study at Masdar Institute as well.”

Noura Al Dhaheri, PhD student at Masdar Institute, who gave a presentation on studying and living in Masdar Institute said:  “It is a privilege for me to be able to study at the Masdar Institute, where I can bring real benefit to Abu Dhabi and the UAE through my research. It is a huge incentive for all the students knowing that the work we do is helping to build a better future.”

Masdar Institute will be giving presentations at the following universities and institutions in the United States, as part of its US recruitment tour (Eastern Standard Time):

Monday 28th Feb (4.30pm)  Princeton University, New Jersey
Monday 28th Feb (5.30pm)  University of Virginia, Virginia
Monday 28th Feb (7.00pm)  Yale University, Connecticut
Tuesday 1st Mar (12.30 & 3.00pm) MI Day at MIT (two sessions)
Wednesday 2nd Mar (11.30am) Olin University, Needham
Thursday 3rd Mar (4.00pm)  Harvard University, Cambridge
Thursday 3rd (5.00pm)  Boston University, Boston

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology has lauded the appointment of one of its key faculty members as a committee chair at the American Nuclear Society (ANS).

Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Youssef Shatilla has been honored with the appointment of Chair of the ANS Accreditation Policy & Procedures Committee, a move welcomed by the senior administration of Masdar Institute.

“Professor Dr. Shatilla’s appointment is a testament to the strength of the professional and academic credentials of Masdar Institute’s faculty. We are proud that one of our own will be contributing to such an esteemed body as the ANS Policy & Procedures Committee in such a senior way. We wish Dr. Shatilla all the success in his appointment,” Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute said.

The ANS is a prestigious not-for-profit, international, scientific and educational organization that, since 1954, has sought to unify professional activities within the diverse fields of nuclear science and technology.  The Accreditation Policy & Procedures Committee that Dr. Shatilla will chair from June 30, 2011 is responsible for developing policy, procedures, and criteria for accreditation of nuclear, radiological and related academic programs in engineering and technology.

In announcing Dr.Shatilla’s selection ANS Vice President/President Elect Dr. Eric Loewen said: “From his current post at Masdar Institute, he brings an international academic flavor to the Committee. This will better position the Society to expand into the Middle East where nuclear engineer programs are increasing. Dr. Shatilla’s previous industrial work at Westinghouse, his work at the INL, and teaching at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology bring extensive experience and insight as both an industry person and now as a professor.”

Dr. Shatilla said his new role was complimentary to his work at Abu Dhabi’s first graduate-level research university focused on the challenges of sustainability.

“As the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Masdar Institute, I am responsible for the accreditation of the academic programs. Maintaining the highest standards of education and research through academic accreditation is at the heart of all that we do at the Institute. This is exactly what we will strive for at the Accreditation Policy & Procedures Committee,” he said.

Dr. Shatilla will be focusing his attention as Chair of the Accreditation Policy and Procedures Committee on increasing the ANS’s presence in developing the policy, procedures and criteria for accreditation of nuclear engineering academic programs across the globe.

“This is very relevant today as the world is experiencing a “nuclear renaissance” across developed and developing countries. The committee I will chair will ensure that the standards used to accredit nuclear engineering academic programs across the world are of the highest quality and relevance,” he said.