SMAC Challenge Follows 14 Consecutive Years of Success Ěý

Khalifa University of Science and Technology has announced the launch of 2021 Smart Mobile Application Contest. The 15th contest is targeting High School Students, and is considered an introductory course and competition on mobile applications development for students of Grades 9, 10, and 11.Ěý

Themed ‘Creating Apps for Expo 2020’, the new edition of this technology challenge will run from 11-26 July 2021. Participating students will explore basic app technologies and learn how to create their own mobile apps using drag and drop programming blocks.Ěý

A spin-off from Khalifa University’s Smart Mobile Application Contest (SMAC), the current competition for high school students widens its scope, while building on the success of the original challenge that has been organized for 14 consecutive years.Ěý

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “The 2021 Smart Mobile Application Contest for High School Students aims to inspire young minds and foster innovation in mobile applications in the UAE and the region, giving them an opportunity to explore their creativity in technical areas. We hope students will come forward to participate in this technology competition and assess their own readiness to launch their future academic paths in research and innovation.”Ěý

Participating students must address any challenge related to the upcoming Expo 2020 event, such as ‘reservation app to book for exhibitions’, ‘learning more about UAE culture and tourism attractions’, ‘EXPO for young kids activities’, and the ‘EXPO market’.Ěý

The panel of judges will assess the entries based on originality and value of the idea (30%), implementation and functionality (40%), app quality (20%), and cultural focus (10%). Students must attend all five days of the short course sessions to be eligible to participate, and a team of two students will submit only one project. The theme and details of the competition will be announced on 15 July, while online live project demonstrations will be held on 19 July. Final judging and awards ceremony will be held on 26 July.Ěý

The 2021 Smart Mobile Application Contest for High School Students aims to expand students’ intellectual curiosity, while helping them build their technical and soft skills through presentations, problem solving, teamwork, communication, social skills, coordination and time management. It will also seek to expand their awareness in computer science, coding and engineering in today’s world.

To know more about this competition, please visit www.ku.ac.ae/smac.Ěý

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
22 June 2021

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23 Elite Students from Grades 11 and 12, and Seven Undergraduates Enroll for Spring 2021 Semester Dual Credit and Accelerated Programs Ěý

Khalifa University’s Dual Credit and Accelerated Programs continue to gain wider appeal among students, with a total of 23 elite students from grades 11 and 12 currently enrolling under the High School–University Dual Credit program to earn credits that could be used for undergraduate admissions. Seven students are also benefiting from the 4+1 accelerated Bachelor’s and Master’s program at present.

Launched in August 2020, the Khalifa University Dual Credit and accelerated educational program allows outstanding high school students to earn credit for Bachelor-level courses, and brilliant Bachelor’s students to earn credit for Master’s level courses. The program aims to bridge the gap between educational levels, providing an opportunity for exceptional students to obtain their degrees within a shorter duration.

Of the 23, a total of 17 students are newly enrolled for the 2021 Spring semester while six students, who have completed the Fall 2020 semester, are returning for a second semester.

The high school students were selected in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, after they excelled in rigorous entrance tests and personal interviews. They are offered five courses to choose from, including calculus, physics and introduction to programming (C++ or MATLAB), so that they could complete one course per semester. Eight faculty members are involved in offering these courses.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: “We are proud of these talented high school students who, through our Dual Credit and accelerated program, have now earned undergraduate and graduate credits that will be useful for further education. This fast-track program offers an excellent option for outstanding students to launch their academic pursuits and achieve their goals within a shorter time-period. The program is our initiative to integrate education into a seamless experience, especially between general and higher education. It also serves as our outreach effort to engage with the community to enroll talented students into science and engineering majors to provide local human capital to the thriving industries in the UAE.”

Similarly, the Accelerated Master of Science Programs enable exceptional senior undergraduate students in the College of Engineering to start their Master’s studies even while pursuing their undergraduate education. Through the Accelerated MSc program option, a highly motivated student, with the help of her/his academic advisor, can finish undergraduate and Master’s degrees within a nominal period of five-years. The program targets students for whom a Master’s degree will provide the necessary preparation to achieve career goals, or for pursuing a doctorate degree.

Computer Engineering student Saeed Ali Saleh Jumaan Alseiari, who has enrolled for the 2021 Spring semester, said the accelerated Master’s program especially at Khalifa University was an opportunity for him to further his education and get a PhD, which has been his objective. He hopes to use the knowledge he gains as a catalyst in artificial intelligence research domains.

The students believe credits from the UAE’s top-ranked Khalifa University can be leveraged not only to shorten their time in pursuing their degrees, but also to improve upon their employment prospects as a career professional.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
2 March 2021

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With their ‘Global-Local’ Approach, Grade 11-12 Students Display Innovation and Technological Skills to Develop App for Smartphones and Desktops Ěý

Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced that the winners of its Summer Challenge 2020 have skillfully combined both engineering and humanitarian perspectives to design ‘eDoctor’, an online system to connect patients with available doctors for consultation, without physically visiting the doctor’s premises.

Forty teams with a total of almost 200 students registered for the Khalifa University Summer Challenge 2020, thus demonstrating an impressive interest in solving an emerging problem amid COVID-19. From the 40 teams, 11 made it to the final stage of the challenge that encouraged students in Grades 11-12 from across the UAE to design the app for smartphones and desktops. The panel of judges evaluated the submissions based on criteria such as the number of supported information sources, communication response delays, versatility of implementation, user-friendliness including handling of ethics issues, doctor’s selection mechanism, and design aesthetics.

The top place winner was Future Youth, a team of four from Applied Technology High School, while the second position was awarded to the three-member team from Greenwood International School. The third slot went to Future Doctors, a four-member team – three from Al Naeem School, and one member from Applied Technology High School.

The fourth position was won by eRescue, a team of five, out of which four were from Al Manhal International Private School with one member from Al Nahda International School, while the fifth place went to Almualej, a four-member team from Um Al Arab School.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “The Khalifa University Summer Challenge 2020 is one of the innovation-related initiatives, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage involvement of high school students in critical thinking and scientific development. The projects submitted by students displayed their knowledge in STEM fields as well as highly-tuned social awareness during these challenging times. As a result they were able to design an online consultation system that could be suitable to anyone, not only in this region, but anywhere across the world. We are delighted that Khalifa University’s summer challenge has produced interest in youth to design such impactful innovations to tackle real world challenges such as the healthcare emergencies.”

The judges commended the students for their willingness to deal with both from the engineering and humanitarian angles, and create a viable solution to help the UAE community with worldwide impact, placing their approach in more of a ‘global-local’ perspective.

The Khalifa University Summer Challenge 2020 called for students to design the eDoctor system to prove its usefulness to urgent cases that cannot reach hospital, emergency cases that do not have doctors in an area, late-night emergencies, and for preliminary examination of patients.

While there was no bar on use of software, judges also looked for information exchange such as photo/video capturing, chatting, emailing, audio recording, GPS tracking, and emergency calls. Teams were also urged to incorporate additional features such as a real-time communication protocol, along with emergency level settings and uploading capabilities for combined analyses, reports or prescriptions.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
14 October 2020

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YFEL Members Interact with Global Industry and Government Stakeholders on Sustainability and Future Energy

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 22 January, 2013: Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology, today announced the launch of two new clean energy projects that underscored the participation of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2013.
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A Masdar Institute outreach initiative and a key element of WFES, the YFEL program justified its inherent effectiveness among the students and young professionals with the launch of two extraordinary proposals “ an inexpensive clean energy project and an innovative off-grid solar power project. These projects illustrate the remarkable contribution of YFEL in triggering the creativity of the youth and guiding them into developing projects dedicated to clean energy and sustainability.
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In addition, the YFEL stand also witnessed a presidential address and speeches by government and non-government leaders, expert panels and debates. The events further demonstrated the status of YFEL as a vital platform for members to participate in global forums and engage industry leaders in discussions on developments in advanced energy and sustainability.
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Nearly 30,000 participants convened for the WFES 2013 that was held from 15-17 January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). The event was organized under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
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Among the dignitaries received at the YFEL stand during WFES 2013 included His Excellency Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland, who interacted with YFEL members and urged them to pursue their ambitions in obtaining innovations in sustainable technologies. Emirati philanthropist His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri, member of the Federal National Council and the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Economic Council, also visited the stand and cheered the YFEL members for their commitment to finding clean energy solutions.
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Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, addressed the gathering on “Sustainability, renewable energy and climate change” at the YFEL stand, while Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, spoke on “Climate and energy policies: Key future challenges.”
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A group of 10 members the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program proposed an innovative off-grid solar power project that seeks to bring electricity to healthcare facilities in remote areas of the UAE. The proposal envisions three power-generating options, including a self-contained PV system, a hybrid system integrating PV with other available renewable energy, such as biomass, and wind, or a hybrid system using PV combined with a fossil-fuel engine generator.
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Another team of seven Emirati entrepreneurs has developed a project to bring clean-energy rice-husk gasifiers to farms and ranches across the UAE, with initial support from the YFEL. Titled “Moving toward a Sustainable Environment: Replacing Diesel-based Generators with Eco-friendly Rice-Husk Gasifiers”, the project was inspired by their visit to rural areas in northern India, where villagers were generating electricity through clean, inexpensive rice-husk gasification, rather than diesel-powered generators. Ras Al Khaimah’s Awafi area has been chosen for the first phase of implementation by Mohamed Al-Sharhan, Abdulla Al Shamsi, Iman Ustadi, Ameirah Aldahmani, Jasem Al Hammadi, Walid Shakari, and Sultan Al Awadhi.
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Other leaders who addressed the members at the YFEL stand included Helen Clark, Administrator, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and Adnan Amin, Director-General, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
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Energy industry leaders including Roy Adair, CEO, Hydro Tasmania, Australia, Bader Al Lamki Director, Clean Energy Masdar, UAE, Santiago Seage, Chairman & CEO Abengoa Solar, Spain, Tulsi R Tanti, Chairman and Managing Director, Suzlon Group, India, and Jean-Pascal Tricoire, President and CEO, Schneider Electric, France, offered their views at the plenary session titled “The view from Industry: a CEOs of Renewable Energy Companies.”
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An expert panel that included Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Director – Sustainability, Masdar, and Director, Zayed Future Energy Prize Masdar, UAE; Morgan D. Bazilian, Deputy Director, Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis (JISEA), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, US; Harish Hande, Founder Selco, Social Entrepreneur, India; Martin Hiller, Director-General, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), Austria; and Richard Kauffman Senior Advisor to Secretary, US Department of Energy, US, discussed “How Technology and Innovation Will Shape the Future?” during one of the plenary sessions.
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Dr Steven Griffith, Executive Director of Institute Initiatives and Professor of Practice, Masdar Institute, facilitated the first debate that was titled “Should China, India and the US be required to immediately place legally binding limits on their greenhouse gas emissions?” Dr Ken Volk, Outreach Manager, Masdar Institute, moderated a debate titled “Should countries implement actions that address population issues impacting worldwide sustainability?”
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YFEL celebrated the successful completion of more than 60 members during the WFES 2013, awarding them certificates during a ceremony that was held in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. YFEL 2012 had more than 160 members out of which 122 are from various universities in the UAE as well as from 20 top-ranked overseas academic institutions.
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Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, 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 challengesĚý 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.

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YFEL Members to Attend 10-Day Intensive Course Organized in Collaboration with MIT and Jamyang School in Ladakh Region of India

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 09 May, 2013– Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced members of Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) outreach program will attend a 10-day workshop on ‘Energy Access, Ethics and Development’ in the Ladakh region of India.

The intensive field-based course in India’s far northern region on the Himalayas Mountains aims to offer the YFEL members an opportunity to learn skills and methods in energy system design, community participation, and social entrepreneurship that will motivate them to become leaders in expanding energy access. The course is being organized jointly by YFEL, the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT and the Jamyang School in Leh, India.

Heavy rains and avalanches every year cut off key passes in Ladakh, leading to poor connectivity of the region to the rest of India. Currently, plans are afoot to build a tunnel at Zojila to open up Kargil-Leh sector throughout the year. However poor connectivity has led to humble socio-economic conditions, adversely affecting sustainability. The YFEL students will help the community design energy-efficient systems and formulate other socio-development measures.

A team of expert researchers and practitioners specialized in community development, energy technology and social entrepreneurship will deliver the course content and supervise the group projects. The course will have lecture-based modules including ‘Human development and energy poverty (basic introduction)’, ‘Needs assessment and stakeholder analysis’, ‘Microenergy technology options (solar home systems, hybrid mini-grids, etc.)’, ‘Business models for microenergy systems’, ‘Microfinance’, ‘Methods for community participation and capacity building’, andĚý ‘Social entrepreneurship’.

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The 10-day summer program being offered to YFEL students aims to bring together students and young community leaders interested in learning the designing and implementation of energy access programs that directly impact human development. With the support of the country’s leadership, we bring programs that offer YFEL members an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and strengthen their practical skills for tackling everyday challenges in bringing energy to far-flung areas. We thank our partners at MIT and hope the course will help the members draw up effective programs, sustainable from a technical, economic and social perspective for the benefit of the community in Ladakh.”

A unique aspect of the course is that it will have equal number of international and local Ladakhi participants. The international participants comprise members of the YFEL program and students from MIT.

Dr, Scott Kennedy, Dean of Research, Masdar Institute, said: “The course aims to bring the student YFEL members in touch with the isolated community’s daily challenges in Leh and engage with the elders to obtain clean and green solutions. Such practical experiences adequately equip the students with skills to address concerns in their future professional lives. We hope the Ladakh experience will help the students learn the ground realities in designing and implementing energy projects that can make remote rural areas self-sufficient.”

The course will include a combination of lecture-based content and hands-on projects with an emphasis on designing effective sustainable programs that help economic development. Participants will spend approximately half of their time engaged in field-based activities that may include renewable energy resource assessment, energy needs assessment, community observation and engagement, energy system design and pilot deployment, participatory design exercises, designing and evaluating options productive energy consumption, and evaluating development impacts.

Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, 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 – 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.

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Young Students’ Projects on Designing Smaller-Scale Wind Turbines and Greenhouse Gas Impact Reflect Awareness on Sustainability
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 12 May, 2013 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced its three student judges found the participating projects at the first-ever Taaleem Science Fair highly creative and innovative in sustainability and green energy.

The three are additionally members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program, a Masdar Institute outreach initiative.

The first Taaleem Science Fair held on 1 May at the American Academy in Al-Mizhar, Dubai, attracted 43 participants. Students spanning ages 11-15 years in elementary and middle school were grouped by grades from Grade 6 to and Grade 9. The high school students in Grade 10 and above competed in either the ‘High School Life Science’ or ‘High School Physical Science’ categories.

YFEL members Mohammed Al Sharhan, Sultan Al Awadhi and Reem Al Junaibi – Master’s students and research assistants in Engineering Systems and Management at Masdar Institute, were the three judges. They used a rubric to assess the projects in areas such as the quality of a testable scientific question, choosing measurable ways to test their question, and their ability to evaluate their data accurately and appropriately.

Each was assessed for the strength of creativity and younger students were enquired the about the concept behind their presentation. Most of the projects focused on clean energy and sustainability, offering the Masdar Institute students a glimpse into the minds of the children and their awareness about energy conservation and preservation of natural resources. They spent five-to-10 minutes meeting with each student individually about their projects. Each YFEL participant reviewed approximately five projects alongside a partner judge

Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The special expertise our students gain from Masdar Institute’s world-class faculty is truly exemplary as could be gauged from the way they judged entries at the Taaleem Science Fair. With the support of the country’s leadership, we continue to develop talented students with the capability to guide today’s children in sustainable ways as well as lead future energy industry. Our students will continue their close involvement in such activities to widen the awareness about clean and green energy in the community.”

Dr. Samia Al Farrar, Chief Education Officer, Taaleem, said: “The Taaleem Science Fair could not have become so successful without the dedication and support of the Masdar Institute graduate students. They were the key in assessing our winners and encouraging young students to study science and pursue it as a career. It was encouraging to see UAE nationals encouraging younger participants, who looked up to the Masdar Institute students for guidance. We thank Masdar Institute for sending these students to judge the entries at the Science Fair.”

Sultan Al Awadhi, an Engineering System Management student at Masdar Institute was one of the judges, found the projects displayed at Taaleem Science Fair truly inspiring.

Al Awadhi said: “Although I was judging projects of students from Grade 6, some of them related to impacts of greenhouse gases and designing of wind turbines on smaller scale. The level of creativity of those students was really inspiring. I found the competing young minds conducting scientific experiments that are bigger than their age. I believe such science fairs will help young students increase their self-confidence and their abilities to think differently, which is a key to innovation.”

Reem Al Junaibi said: “Because they were so young, most of the research questions formulated in the projects showed curiosity, which is the first step to learning. It gladdens me to think that a lot of these questions were focused on figuring out ways to mitigate global warming. These children do understand the vital issues and they do care for Mother Earth, which to me is the most important thing. It was really tough judging them and I believe they all deserve to win. The level of creativity exceeded my expectations.”

Mohamed Al Sharhan said: “Judging the projects from Grade-7 students, I could see that the renewable and sustainability trends are evolving. Out of a couple of projects related to these topics, one was to build a solar oven and the other one was to test the effect of desalinated water on human hair. I was really impressed by the level of awareness the students have about sustainability and their passion about science. Compared to their level of education, these projects were truly amazing.”

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

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 09 July, 2013Ěý– 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.ĚýĚýĚý 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.Ěý 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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YFEL Members and 6 Ladakhi Students Gather in Leh for 8-Day Workshop on ‘Energy Access, Ethics and Development’ in India

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 10 September, 2013 – Nobel Laureate Dalai Lama has commended members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL), an outreach program by Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, for their global commitment to spreading awareness on sustainable technologies and living.

The 14th Dalai Lama met with the eight YFEL members who were in India as part of an eight-day workshop on ‘Energy Access, Ethics and Development’ jointly organized by YFEL, the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT and the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in Leh, India. The YFEL members gathered in Leh to learn about energy systems, micro-grid design with community participation, and social entrepreneurship as part of the course that aims to turn them into future leaders in expanding energy access. A total of six Ladakhi participants from various institutions and organizations were also part of the program that began on 18 August.

The Dalai Lama welcomed the YFEL members on the first day of their stay in India and appreciated their enthusiastic activities in the far northern Himalayan region. They were accompanied by Tenzin Priyadarshi, Director of The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values, MIT. The Dalai Lama, who travels across the globe to propagate the ideals of sustainability, is outspoken in his concerns about environmental challenges and frequently focuses on themes related to the preservation of natural resources.

YFEL members, with Dr Ken Volk, Head of Outreach, Masdar Institute, visited nearby areas of interest including the Saspol village, some caves with 1,000-year old Buddhist temples, and a recently-opened hydroelectric plant. They also went trekking near the SECMOL building.

The Ladakhi participants were made up of young students and graduates from various organizations and academic institutions such as SECMOL, Jammu University, Industrial Training Institute in Leh, and Thapar University in Patiala. They joined the YFEL members in learning how to design energy-efficient systems and formulating socio-development measures with a particular focus on Ladakhi communities. Through a combination of lecture-based content and hands-on group projects, the course emphasized effective sustainable programs that help economic development in rural and remote communities.

Other Masdar Institute faculty and officials visiting India included Dr. Scott Kennedy, Dean of Research, Dr. Vinod Khadkikar, Assistant Professor in the Electrical Power Engineering program, and Ayu Abdullah, Program Teaching Assistant.

YFEL member Mohammad Abdulaziz Al Jasmi, an Electrical Engineer and UAE University Graduate, said: “The meeting with the Dalai Lama was truly remarkable as the Nobel Laureate welcomed us and answered our queries with interest. We were honored and felt grateful for the unique opportunity to meet the Tibetan leader. He also appreciated YFEL’s contribution to the local community’s development through our program.”

Part of the Masdar Institute’s Outreach program, 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 – 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.

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Abu Dhabi-UAE: 18 May, 2014 – Three outreach initiatives are offering Ěýaspiring scientists in the UAE a taste of the learning process that university students and young professionals can expect from the research and academic offerings of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

The three programs – Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL), Summer Research Internships, and ‘Ektashif’ – aim to reinforce students’ knowledge, interest and academic skills in science, engineering and technology as they relate to the graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral research projects being conducted at the Masdar Institute. These programs are part of Masdar Institute’s contribution to knowledge and human capital development in the UAE, as well as regionally and globally.

The YFEL program is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. One of the more popular offerings, YFEL provides young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad with an opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges – achieving energy efficiency and tackling climate change. The YFEL 2014 program, sponsored consecutively for four years by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has over 100 members. Now in its fourth year, the YFEL continues to interact with leaders in sustainability fields across the world.

In January 2014 the YFEL 2013 members completed their year-long courses and received their certificates of completion after a year of actively spearheading individual projects and taking concepts of sustainability to far-flung regions.Ěý

The YFEL program is open to UAE national and international graduate students and young professionals, while the Summer Research Internship and the Ektashif programs are offered to UAE national undergraduates.

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Masdar Institute said: ““The support and vision of the UAE Leadership has been instrumental in highlighting the importance of renewable energy sources, sustainability and the need to find solutions to these global issues. As such, the Outreach initiatives offer students and young professionals an opportunity to obtain in-depth knowledge on sustainability, renewable energy and climate change and work towards finding these solutions. Due to the multiple options these initiatives offer for development in these fields, the 3 programs have become increasingly popular among a growing number of students.”

Yamrot Amha, YFEL member and student of Water and Environmental Engineering, said: “Through my training with YFEL I have become a more confident leader, who is ready to make an impact using the knowledge I have gained. Furthermore, I was given a chance to attend the 22nd World Energy Forum in South Korea and interact and engage with the leading global energy professionals because of the YFEL program.”

In addition, Masdar Institute’s Summer Research Internship program for UAE national undergraduate students aims to nurture qualified university students with a penchant for research and innovation and inspire them to gain additional knowledge. In 2013, the program offered a total of nine research projects for the interns to learn from, focusing on water, solar energy and fuel cells – areas that are identified as strategically important to the UAE.

Through the program, six interns receive an opportunity to gain new insights into applying their knowledge in technical and laboratory skills. This year, intern Hend Al Zeyoudi, who worked during the summer under the guidance of Dr. Tariq Shamim, Head of Mechanical Engineering, co-authored a scientific research paper that won international acclaim at the 17th Asia Pacific Automotive Engineering Conference held in Bangkok. It was titled ‘Effect of Ambient Conditions on the Performance of an Open-Cathode PEM Fuel Cell Stack: Case Study United Arab Emirates’. Many of the projects to be offered under Summer Research Internship this year will focus on solar cell and biomass research. There is also a training program for students on how to operate electron microscopes and work in a ‘Clean Room’ to fabricate advanced materials and devices on the micron and sub-micron scale. (For inquiries, please contact: internships@masdar.ac.ae)

Another Masdar Institute outreach initiative is the two-week ‘Ektashif’ residential program, which brings together talented UAE undergraduate engineering and science students to learn about renewable energy, sustainability and the environment. In the summer of 2013, a total of 22 UAE national undergraduates concluded their experience with a variety of hands-on laboratory workshops. The program this summer will run in August, with nominations now being accepted. Students wishing to participate in Ektashif this summer need to have nominating letters sent by their Department Head or Dean to the Masdar Institute Outreach program. (For inquiries, please contact: outreach@masdar.ac.ae)

Maryam Rashed AlMazrouei, Chemical Engineering student at UAEU and Ektashif participant, said, “I always wondered what was happening up there in Masdar Institute and I really wanted to discover it. The 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.”

These outreach initiatives not only give potential students an indication of what to expect at Masdar Institute but also inspire them towards taking up subjects in sustainability for Master’s studies.

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In line with its continuing commitment to support youth-related programs in the UAE, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed an agreement to contribute AED1.2 million and support Masdar Institute’sĚýYoung Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program.

In the presence of His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, HE Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the agreement was signed by Mohammed S. K. Al Qubaisi, Director, Human Resources, ADNOC, Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, Masdar Institute during a ceremony held at the Masdar Institute stand on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit, which has been organized as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week (ADSW) 2016 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC).

The contribution announced at ADSW marks the sixth consecutive year that ADNOC has committed to supporting the dynamic YFEL program. During their one year program, YFEL members explore new avenues and ideas in the sustainable and clean energy arena through an engaging schedule of courses and international experiences. Ěý

As a key supporter of youth-related outreach programs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and across the UAE, ADNOC lays special emphasis on programs that offer youth professional and career guidance. Its contribution to YFEL will help the outreach program organize dedicated courses throughout the upcoming year, and encourage the country’s young people to achieve innovation and excellence.

His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, CEO of ADNOC praised theĚý support and due concern attributed byĚý the UAE’sĚý wise leadership to allĚý projects and programs aimingĚý at empowering the UAE young generationĚý to become tomorrow’s leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges in advanced energy and sustainability.

He stressed the commitment of ADNOC to support all programs and initiatives aiming at encouraging youth forĚý adoption ofĚý creative thinking and innovativeĚý solutionsĚý to address the issues of sustainability, and preparing tomorrow’s leaders and intellectuals in the fields of cleanĚý energy and sustainability to lead the transformation of the UAE towards a knowledge basedĚý economy.

He applauded the mutual cooperation between ADNOC and Masdar Institute calling for promotion and expansion of fields of joint cooperation in order to benefit from Masdar Institute’s experience in the fileds of advanced energy and sustainable technologies. Ěý

Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, said: “We welcome the sixth consecutive contribution from ADNOC, which continues to be a committed supporter of the YFEL program. This support, along with the program’s other corporate sponsors and Emirati donors, enables our continued development of talented young professionals interested in sustainability fields.” Ěý

“The YFEL program’s focus on offering specially designed leadership experiences in clean renewable energy, water, and advanced material technologies through its annual calendar of events helps YFEL members to grow into world-class professionals,” she added.

Clarence Michael
News Writer
21 January 2016

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The UAE aims to be among the top 25 nations worldwide excelling in the field of women’s empowerment, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance recently told a meeting of the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Key to achieving that goal is high quality educational access to the country’s girls and women. And given the UAE’s focus on transforming the country into an innovative knowledge economy, education that integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is of particular importance. That is why on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the region’s first graduate-level engineering university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, reiterates its commitment to empowering women in innovative STEM fields while celebrating the achievements of its female faculty, students and staff.

“I am proud of the education we deliver at Masdar Institute, which is enabling the development of the country’s leading female scientists and engineers and in turn, bringing the UAE closer to achieving its knowledge economy transformation, and I am proud of the many women who have joined Masdar Institute and grown with us, professionally and academically,” said Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Provost of Masdar Institute.

At Masdar Institute, women account for 51% of students, which rises to 68% among UAE nationals – a significant figure compared to the US engineering program average of 23.1%. The Institute also has a high percentage of women in its upper management, and 39% of its faculty and staff are female. These numbers are a testament to the focus the university places on female student and professional outreach and support.

THE VALUE OF FEMALE INTEGRATION FOR THE UAE

Integration of women in STEM is critical to the UAE’s national development goal of transforming from an oil economy to a knowledge economy focused on high-value sectors that are STEM heavy, including renewable and clean energy, transportation, technology, education, health, water, and space. By many estimates Emirati women account for over half of the country’s graduates.

“Women are a valuable asset to all countries, but particularly in the UAE, where we see how passionate they are about education and success. They want to invent things, to contribute, and to lead. That is why it is crucial for women to be involved in and contribute to the creation of the innovations that underlie the knowledge-based sectors of the UAE,” explained Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, Masdar Institute.

Additionally, Dr. Fawwaz said that the UAE’s strong female STEM graduate percentage could enhance the country’s competitiveness in the high-tech sectors in which it hopes to advance. Diversity in backgrounds and disciplines is known to be a source of creativity in problem-solving, while female representation in particular has been shown to improve outcomes; in 2012 Credit Suisse Research Institute examined 2,360 companies globally from 2005 to 2011 and found that those with one or more women on the board delivered higher average returns on equity, lower net debt to equity and better average growth.

“Having a STEM-based economy in the UAE that has a heavy female participation could produce very different products and services that make the UAE more competitive in traditionally male-dominated technology sectors. There is nowhere in the world right now where women dominate STEM, so our female-heavy STEM sectors would be unprecedented and I’m excited to see what we produce,” Dr. Fawwaz said.

STEM jobs are also among the highest-paying. The US Department of Commerce found that workers who hold STEM degrees enjoy higher earnings regardless of occupation, and women with STEM jobs in particular earned 33% more than women in non-STEM jobs. Thus, more women in STEM could bolster the UAE economy as it transitions away from fossil fuels and heavy reliance on public-sector employment, providing its people with high-value professional jobs that meet the high quality of life to which they have become accustomed.

HOW IS MASDAR INSTITUTE DOING IT?

Just two years after Masdar Institute opened its classrooms, then assistant professor Dr. Georgeta Vidican conducted a study of 2,520 female students in universities across the UAE to discover the barriers facing women in the UAE to science and engineering studies and professions.

The research had many insights, but particularly useful was its finding that having family support was a strong indicator of a successful STEM education and career for Emirati women, as well as mentorship or having a close relationship with an established Emirati female STEM professional.

With this information in mind, Masdar Institute embarked on an outreach program to educate the UAE public about the value of STEM professions, providing many local female faces in its advertising campaigns to reduce cultural perceptions that women are not suited to STEM. It also ensured that female students’ families were engaged in the enrollment process so they would provide support and encouragement. To help develop Masdar Institute’s female students into tomorrow’s STEM leaders, the Institute invites female alumni to mentor and guide the next group of female students, to inspire them and share their experiences. The Institute also rigorously recruits Emirati female faculty, to ensure that the many young Emirati women studying in its engineering programs can benefit from their successes and insights.

SUPPORTING THE ENTIRE STEM PIPELINE

And Masdar Institute is not just interested in educating women during their Master’s or PhD programs. Its approach to female empowerment looks at the entire pipeline, beginning with outreach to undergraduate students, through to employment of graduates in STEM fields.

To motivate and excite female undergraduate students to pursue STEM the Institute offers a number of outreach programs, providing student internships and immersive week-long research experiences to undergraduate students in the UAE. These programs routinely boast higher rates of female participation. This year, nearly 70% of the undergraduate interns at Masdar Institute are female.

And to ensure that the Institute’s female graduates are able to go on and find meaningful employment in the UAE’s STEM fields, the Institute set up a Career Services Office and provides professional internships to its students at attractive high-tech companies.

“The services and internships we provide our students and alumni help ensure they get relevant real-world experience to complement laboratory and classroom lessons that helps make them more desirable as hires, and also establishes the professional networks and connections that result in immediate degree-relevant placement upon graduation,” Dr. Fawwaz shared.

The result of this approach has been a steady increase in female student numbers, an equally steady increase in female student achievements, and a high level of alumni placement. An estimated 91% of Masdar Institute’s graduates are either employed or pursuing PhD programs in local and international universities

SUCCESSES

Masdar Institute has significantly increased the number of female STEM role models in the UAE through active support of its talented Emirati female faculty and cultivating a group of highly-skilled Emirati female engineering graduates.

For example, Dr. Hanifa Taher Al Blooshi, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, won the 2016 L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Fellowship Award for her research in designing a new novel system for enzymatic biodiesel production. She also co-authored a book on her work in 2015.

“I am grateful for the strong support I have received from Masdar Institute to pursue my research, teach and engage in meaningful collaborations. Masdar Institute’s efforts to retain, support and cultivate high-achieving female scientists is an important step towards increasing the population of female STEM professionals in the UAE and across the entire region,” she commented.

Masdar Institute’s female Emirati alumni are also inspiring young women in the UAE through their professional and academic successes. Among Masdar Institute’s notable alumni is Class of 2013 graduate Meshayel Lehsooni, who is currently the Director of Future Energy and Security of Supply and Chief of Happiness and Positivity at the UAE Ministry of Energy.

“Originally, I was attracted to Masdar Institute because of its focus on sustainability, energy and climate change, but I was also excited by the opportunity that the Institute provided for young Emirati women to become more involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics related areas and to contribute to the strategic goals of the UAE,” Lehsooni explained.

Another trailblazing alumna is Class of 2014 MSc in Microsystems Engineering graduate Mejd Alsari Almheiri. A recipient of the Distinguished Student Scholarship from the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs, she is currently pursuing her PhD at Cambridge University and jointly established the first UAE Synchrotron Users Association to help researchers in the UAE access the world’s selective advanced research facilities.

With success stories like these, Masdar Institute is serving as a role model for female empowerment in STEM fields for the UAE and wider region.

CONCLUSION

Emirati women have played and will continue to play a critical role in the UAE’s strategic goals, including its plan to transform itself into a knowledge-based economy, especially as their numbers in the STEM sectors increase.

Masdar Institute is proud of its talented female administrators, faculty, students and alumni, who are serving as the country’s role models and helping to encourage more Emirati women into the STEM careers that are critical to the development of competitive technology-based industries in the UAE.

Zarina Khan, Senior Editor and Erica Solomon,ĚýNews and Features Writer
15 March 2017

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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.Ěý 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.Ěý 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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