Forty-eight UAE high school students participated in the virtual Ektashif Spring Camp, which ran from 28 March to 6 April 2022. Ektashif is a program organized by KU’s Outreach Office designed to teach high achieving students in grades 10, 11, and 12 programming languages so they can create games, apps, robots, and more.

This year’s cohort was a diverse mix of students from different backgrounds and nationalities. Thirty-six were UAE national students, while 12 were international students from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, India, Oman, Yemen, Sudan, Palestine, and Iraq. 

The two-week long program included programming workshops on C++ and MATLAB, as well as workshops on MBTI personalities, discussions on undergraduate major selections, courses on building critical thinking and grit, and much more. 

The students enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to gain important skills and knowledge in C++ and MATLAB, both powerful programming languages.

Coding will equip youth with the skills needed to excel in the world as it moves towards a more automated and digital future, and it is an integral part of Digital Literacy, or the ability to effectively and appropriately use technology. These skills are becoming increasingly important in the employment market, particularly in the high-growth industries of big data, blockchain, robotics and other tech sectors.

Layan Al Shaibani, a grade 11 American Curriculum student from ADNOC Schools, described the program as fulfilling. “I was able to achieve a deeper understanding of my passion, computer science, as well as better understand important life-related topics that will not only help me in college but also later in life.”

Rashid Arif Obaid Mohammed Alzaabi, a grade 11 ASP student from Humaid Bin Abdul Aziz Secondary Education School, had fun learning new programming skills and other soft skills. “I really enjoyed all the programming and self-improvement classes we took. Everyone was really nice, and I liked that we were organized into groups so we could socialize and learn the values of having a team that works together toward a shared goal. All the instructors were excellent and professional in giving us instructions and answering all our questions clearly. I would definitely recommend this program to others.”

Shiakha Khalid juma Albloushi, a grade 12 Elite student from Al Nuaimia School for Basic and Secondary Education, said that she was certain that she will use everything she learned in her future career.

Noora Abdulla Ali Alnaqbi, a grade 11 Elite student from Um Almumneen school, felt proud to be a part of the program and to be surrounded by her fellow participants. “This program was unforgettable and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I improved my communication skills since I had to socialize with my group members and participate in the lessons. I learned how to program using C++ and Matlab in a short period of time, which is actually difficult but because of the best teachers I had no difficulties. I will never forget this experience. I would like to sincerely thank the organizers and instructors.”

Erica Solomon
Senior Publication Specialist
12 April 2022

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Select Group of 30 Students to Present Coding Project Results on Conclusion of Program on 8 April

Khalifa University has launched the Ektashif Spring – School Coding Camp, a new initiative from the Khalifa University Outreach Office to run during the spring break. The online learning camp will start from 28 March for a select group of 31 UAE high school students.

It will cover topics in basic understanding and appreciation of various essential programming-language constructs, paradigms, evaluation criteria and language implementation issues.  

Participants will learn how to read and write code, develop cognitive skills, and learn a methodical and problem-solving technique by breaking down complex problems into units. They will also gain related skills such as logical thinking by selection and use of logical statements, as well as structural thinking by combining small units to find the outcome. Most importantly, they will realize the significance of perseverance and the mental strength to resolve any problem related to non-functioning of components.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “The two-week Ektashif Spring – School Coding Camp aims to bring awareness to high school students on the importance of learning basic language skills that will help them develop refined analytic skills and clear, concise communication abilities. This camp is part of Khalifa University’s initiative to empower youth, not only through academic programs and research, but also through outreach programs such as Ektashif. We hope participants from high schools will take advantage of this opportunity to develop a problem-solving mindset, gain skills that make them well-versed in data structures and algorithms design, while learning multiple technologies and programming languages.”

The Ektashif Spring camp is inspired by UAE’s strategic goals. The UAE’s digital economy places significant importance to computer skills, demanding a fresh approach to education. Following the launch of programs such as the annual One Million Arab Coders initiative, coding has become a focus for the UAE. With software and computers impacting every part of life, it has become imperative for school students to learn about algorithms, ways to develop an app or understand the functioning of the internet. 

With 90% of jobs requiring digital skills, employability in the coming years depends on students being digitally literate, thus making the Ektashif Spring camp even more relevant for today’s students. At the end of the two-week Ektashif Spring – School Coding Camp, participants will present their coding project results. Certificates of completion will be awarded on 8 April.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
28 March 2021

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22 Emirati Undergraduates Enthusiastically Participate in Action Labs, Organized Tours, Lectures, Presentations and Team-Building Activities

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 09 July, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that 22 UAE national undergraduates have successfully concluded their week-long hands-on lab experience under the second annual ‘Ektashif’ outreach program.

In the presence of the Mr. Hamza Kazim, Vice President, Operations & Finance, Dr Kenneth Volk, Outreach Manager, awarded certificates of participation to students during a special ceremony held at the Masdar Institute campus. The residential program brought together talented UAE undergraduate engineering and science students to discover and learn about renewable energy, sustainability and the environment in the research-oriented atmosphere of Masdar Institute.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The second annual ‘Ektashif’ outreach program proved to be a rich and rewarding experience for the UAE national undergraduates. Participants were enthusiastically involved in the action labs, organized tours, lectures, presentations and team-building activities. The support from the country’s leadership has enabled us to offer students a wide spectrum of programs and helped them enhance their innovative skills. We hope they will apply their new skills towards better academic performance as well as for adopting the sustainability concept in future.”

A wide spectrum of workshops were offered to the participants. An eight-member team of research engineers, post-doctoral researchers and PhD students headed by Dr. Imen Gherboudj, Research Associate, coordinated a workshop on the Earth Observation Lab and its activities. Nafeez Bin Taher, Lab Instructor, offered an ‘Introduction to Digital Electronics’ at a workshop on the basics of combinatorial logic circuits, while Dr Iyad Rahwan, Professor of Computing & Information Science, and Aamena Al Shamsi, PhD student, led a workshop on Data Mining.

Dr Isam Janajreh, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, conducted two lab activities and discussed pathways for converting waste into an added value product, while Dr I-Tsung Tsai, Professor of Engineering Systems & Management, led a workshop on the design of sustainable energy policy for complex energy economic systems and the financial strategies to promote clean tech investment.

Participants monitored the deformation of a model structure using optical fibers under the guidance of Dr Marcus Dahlem, Professor of Microsystems Engineering, and Dr Jaime Viegas, Professor of Microsystems Engineering, while Mike Tiner, Manager of the Fabrication and Microscopy Facilities, joined Dr Mustapha Jouiad, Analytical Instructor, Laboratories, to introduce participants to the optical microscope station and the electron microscopes.

‘Implementation of Buck and Boost DC-DC converters’, one of the applications of ‘power electronics’, was introduced by Professor Dr Vinod Khadkikar, Electrical Power Engineering program, and Parag Kanjiya, Research Engineer. At the Microbial Environmental and Chemical Engineering Laboratory (MECEL), Dr Hector Hernandez, Professor of Chemical Engineering, elaborated on applying biotechnology tools and engineering principles to address challenges facing society in the areas of energy, climate change, as well as the effects of environmental change and invasive species on ecosystem health.

Among the presentations, Dr Viegas highlighted ‘Lasers, How They Work and What We Can Do With Them and Their Role in the 21st Century’. Ahmed Al Harethi, a Chemical Engineering graduate, and Sultan Al Awadhi, an Engineering Systems and Management graduate and a Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) member, discussed their MSc research, as well as their experiences at Masdar Institute.

Kevin Garvey, Lecturer, presented ways to define and describe key principles required to establish and support an effective research argument, while Lecturers Bridie Farah and Glenda El Gamal guided the students on writing effective literature reviews and offered tips on avoiding the pitfalls of plagiarism through the proper use of citations, paraphrasing, and organization in their research communication.

The program also included a site tour of Emirates Aluminum Company (EMAL) facilities at Taweelah.

Lecturer Farah found the students ‘bright and highly motivated’, while Dr Tsai termed them ‘energetic and enthusiastic in finding solutions to sustainable development’. Dr Viegas observed that the students had ‘curious minds and strong interest in engaging on advanced technological topics that are part of Masdar Institute research foci’.

Garvey, who held the lector titled ‘Academic Communication, Critical Thinking and Research Methodology’, said: “The aptitude and enthusiasm demonstrated by the Ektashif group during my workshop on The Development of Academic Argument was highly encouraging. I would be delighted to welcome these young students to Masdar Institute as pioneers in a field they clearly are well suited to.”

Mariam Ahmed Al Dhaheri, Mechanical Engineering student at UAEU, said, “This was my first time at Masdar Institute and I am pleased to be part of this amazing program,asit left a deep and positive impact on me. The hands-on lab sessions were remarkable, and seeing some of the unique devices that we don’t usually see in our universities gave me a much broader view on what people are capable of when they go for research in my own country and that made me proud and motivated to be part of it. What I find very impressive about the faculty at Masdar Institute is that each one of them is so enthusiastic and passionate about what they are doing. That gave me positive energy throughout the whole day and showed me the right attitude one must have toward work, colleagues and students. The encouraging environment and faculty made me consider Masdar Institute for my master’s studies. And most importantly I want to make my country and leaders proud, as they have provided us with facilities to be productive and serve this beloved country.”

Ohoud S. ALZahmi, Civil Engineering student at UAEU, said, “I am proud to be one of the members of the Ektashif Program. I’m proud to have these great technologies, machines, staff, instructors, and professors in my country. I was lucky to see and participate in the labs and lectures there. I enjoyed my journey of discovery there. I will share the experience with my family and friends. Hopefully I can shine in Masdar Institute’s sky after I graduate from UAEU.”

Maryam Rashed AlMazrouei, Chemical Engineering student at UAEU, said, “I always wondered what was happening up there in Masdar Institute and I really wanted to discover it. Ektashif program gave me that chance, and it was one of the best experiences I ever had. I learnt new things about lasers, electronics, biofuel and other technologies. Going deeply in the nano scale was amazing. The topics were important and the presented material was sufficient. Everyone has potential and can make it to the top by dedication and hard working.”

A residential program, Ektashif seeks to bring together talented UAE undergraduate engineering and science students to discover and learn about renewable energy, sustainability and the environment.    It also aims to encourage students to consider taking research and innovation in clean energy and sustainability beyond the campus into the wider community.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar’s core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity’s toughest challenges such as climate change.

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

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10 UAE National Undergraduate Engineering and Science Students Complete 12-day Residential Program

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 28 July, 2012 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced its Ektashif outreach initiative proved to be a true ‘eye-opener’ to the participating students on its overall program and research offerings.

A total of 10 UAE national undergraduate engineering and science students completed their course as the first-ever Ektashif program concluded successfully recently. The 12-day residential program offered students a perfect platform to understand and operate within the cutting-edge laboratory environment at Masdar Institute.

Participants included four from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and two from the University of Sharjah. In addition to one student each from HCT Abu Dhabi Men’s College and the American University of Sharjah in the UAE, students also came from international institutions including Ohio State University and Texas A&M.

The ambit of the lessons during the Ektashif program covered presentations on laser technologies, biomass, and clean energy such as solar. Some of the advanced areas the students familiarized themselves with include data mining, sustainable energy policy, environmental bioprocess modelling (EnvBioProM) laboratory, algae, the phenomenon of super-plasticity, digital electronics, optical and electron microscopy, power electronics, and waste energy. In addition to a visit to the 10MW PV farm within the campus, they toured other industrial sites including smelter complex at Emirates Aluminum Company (EMAL), Al Taweelah Power & Desalination Complex and Emirates Hydroponics Farms.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, commended the students for their dedication in further enriching themselves academically through the program during the concluding ceremony. Hamza Kazim, Vice-President, Operations and Finance, Dr Kenneth Volk, Head of Outreach, the entire Outreach team, and other officials, as well as faculty, post-docs, and Masdar Institute students who helped the program attended the event. Certificates were later presented to the participants by Dr. Moavenzadeh.

Dr. Moavenzadeh said: “Through such programs, Masdar Institute provides additional opportunities for the UAE national youth to explore, experience, and get educated in clean energy and advanced technologies, in line with the UAE leadership’s vision. The Ektashif program, which means ‘explore’, is a simple and comprehensive introduction to the Master’s programs that Masdar Institute offers, and we hope the Ektashif program adequately stirred the interests of the participants in our research and academic offerings. We foresee some of the students choosing Masdar Institute for higher studies in future.”

The Ektashif itinerary included organized tours to industrial facilities, lectures, engineering design challenges, informational sessions about Masdar Institute programs, as well as team-building and recreational activities.

Dr. Ken Volk said: “A key success factor for this program is Masdar Institute’s faculty and students, who dedicated their time and effort to present valuable knowledge on engineering and science to participating students. The first-ever Ektashif program turned out to be a success, bearing testimony to Masdar Institute’s commitment to offer a window of opportunity to students aspiring to join the research-based institution. We are confident the program has increased awareness among the students on the cutting-edge facilities at Masdar Institute.”

Participants affirmed the 12-day program helped them learn additional skills and gain exposure to the high-tech labs at Masdar Institute. They feel encouraged to explore the options for joining the research-based institution.

Abdulla Al Kathiri, one of the participants, said, “Masdar Institute is a visionary project and I think it will impact the UAE and the world in a positive way. I did not know that we have such high-tech labs in the UAE. I am seriously considering Masdar Institute for my graduate studies.”

Sultan Al Obaidli, another participant, said, “The Ektashif experience surpassed my expectations. I learnt about many initiatives and research projects in Masdar Institute and how important will its role be in providing clean energy in the future.  For me, the Ektashif program is a positive motivation to join Masdar Institute.”

Established as an on-going collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

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