His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri’s Gesture Reflects Support of Masdar Initiative, Its Various Projects in Renewable Energy and Creation of Opportunities for Development of Future Leaders
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 13 January, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri, member of the Federal National Council, has donated one million US dollars towards the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program.
An outreach program by Masdar Institute, YFEL is a most pre-eminent program that aims to develop tomorrow’s leaders in the fields of advanced energy and sustainability. The contribution from His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri is expected to further strengthen YFEL’s continuing initiatives to educate, inspire and position students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.
His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri’s individual contribution marks the second such initiative by a UAE national towards empowering youth and developing human capital in the UAE through the YFEL program. In 2011, Mohammed Bin Kardous Al Ameri, renowned Emirati philanthropist and enthusiastic supporter of YFEL contributed AED1 million to the program that seeks to provide a platform to engage youth in debates and global discussions in advanced energy and sustainability.
His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri said: “Education holds the key to social and economic progress. At the same time, it is equally important for the youth to acquire special workplace skills, leadership qualities and professional training, which have become mandatory in today’s labor market. The responsibility to provide these special skills lies with the community. As a member of the community and a UAE national, I feel privileged to contribute to the YFEL program, which nurtures and develops today’s youth and students into capable decision-makers of tomorrow. I see a great future for the UAE and its people through Masdar and its various initiatives. I am confident the YFEL program will continue to benefit more members in the coming months.”
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, said: “Knowledge-building measures, especially through outreach programs, are essential to develop the society for the future. In this aspect, we acknowledge His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri’s support with his noble contribution. This generous contribution is a testament to the value and the awareness Masdar has effectively created among the community, and demonstrates the importance of renewable energy and sustainable development, as well as the creation of a platform that enables our youth to excel.
“This is a remarkable gesture because these voluntary initiatives reflect the collective commitment by key members of the community towards developing capable leaders for the future. We thank the UAE’s wise leadership for their support to all our measures and we believe similar efforts by the wider community will help nurture the future energy industry leaders.”
Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, said: “The commitment by His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri indicates the willingness of the UAE nationals to contribute to the development of human capital in the UAE. This gesture concurs with the objectives of Abu Dhabi’s leadership to make the emirate a knowledge-based economy. We are confident with the support of the country’s leadership, programs such as YFEL will make a remarkable impact in creating the right environment for youth and we welcome the participation of the Emirati community towards achieving our goals.”
His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri is one of the prominent members of the UAE business community and has helped establish some of the most important institutions in the private and government sectors in the UAE. Al Dhaheri was one of the Founder Members of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and the Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), and continues to be on the board of both the institutions.
Since 1971, as a Board member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, Al Dhaheri continues to contribute to the establishing and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s trade relations with other countries. Al Dhaheri is also the Chairman of Sultan Bin Rashed Company (Sultaco), a nationally-owned trading company based in Abu Dhabi with branches in Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain. Established in 1968, Sultaco has an exhaustive list of illustrious projects and achievements.
As a dynamic forum, YFEL encourages highly qualified and talented students and young professionals to become proactive in their contribution towards debates and global discussion in advanced energy and sustainability. In addition, it helps members to enhance knowledge and leadership skills to achieve professional goals, organizes short courses, workshops and seminars, offers opportunities to share innovative ideas in advanced energy and sustainability with peers, provides networking opportunities and visibility through high level events and meetings, while recognizing members’ contributions and accomplishments.
The YFEL program offers young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad an opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to achieving energy efficiency and 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.
