11th Annual YFEL Graduation Ceremony Coincides with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2021

Khalifa University has announced the graduation ceremony for members of the 2020 Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) outreach program will be held virtually on 21 January 2021, coinciding with the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2021. This year will also mark the 11th annual graduation ceremony for the YFEL program.

A total of 32 YFEL members from the 2020 batch, who have successfully completed their year-long program of special courses, workshops, and conferences in leadership, policy and technology as well as personal project initiatives, will receive their certificates of completion at the ceremony. The graduation ceremony that culminates a transformative year for the 2020 YFEL members, will be streamed live online.

The 2020 YFEL members include 21 UAE Nationals, seven locally-based students and professionals, as well as four international young professionals from countries in Asia and South America, such as China, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Brazil.

Launched at the 2010 World Future Energy Summit by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the YFEL program offers members exceptional and unmatched access to top global leaders, senior business executives and academics engaged in alternative energy and sustainability.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said: “The YFEL outreach program helps broaden the university’s founding mission, by reaching out beyond the UAE borders, to attract students and young professionals anywhere in the world, and bring them to the UAE. Over its 11-year existence, members of the YFEL program have consistently contributed to sustainable projects, while remaining intensely involved in community-oriented initiatives. Through their year-long courses on training, mentorship, and guidance, they not only acquire new skills but also enhance their individual capabilities as future leaders, fully equipped for taking the UAE’s vision of sustainable energy leadership out into the world, and expand upon it.”

Each year, the YFEL members have consistently worked on new project concepts and contributed to sustainability-related initiatives. Two YFEL members participated in the 16-day International Antarctica Expedition (IAE) 2012, joining the IAE team to highlight sustainability and the need to preserve Antarctica. A group of 2011-2012 YFEL members played a significant role in the delivery of the 543 KWe photovoltaic (PV) solar power project that was commissioned in July 2014 at the Rashid Abdullah Omran Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah. In 2015, a group of 10 YFEL members introduced several community-wide initiatives in collaboration with 10 students from the Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, in the Central Java province of Indonesia.

The YFEL program was consecutively sponsored by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for several years. His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Dhaheri, Member of the Federal National Council, sponsored the program for two consecutive years with a contribution of US$1 million each year. In 2011, Emirati philanthropist Mohammed Bin Kardous Al Ameri was the first private sponsor of this outreach initiative with a contribution of AED1 million. Other sponsors include BASF – one of the world’s leading chemical companies, and Siemens – a conglomerate and one of the largest industrial manufacturing companies.

Clarence Michael
English Editor Specialist
19 January 2021

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Khalifa University’s Flagship Outreach Initiative Empowers Dozens of YFEL Members Through Virtual Workshops Led by Faculty and Industry Experts

Multiple online summer workshops were organized for the members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program to keep them engaged with interesting topics related to sustainability and renewable energy.������

The YFEL program is an initiative led by Khalifa University to inspire, engage, and empower the youth to be tomorrow’s leaders in alternative energy and sustainability. The program brings together promising students and young professionals from the UAE and around the world to learn, exchange ideas, and become future energy industry leaders.

Satellite Development
The first workshop was about the “Life Cycle of Satellite Development” conducted by Dr. Prashanth Marpu, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Manager of the YahSat Space Lab at Khalifa University. Dr. Marpu talked about the basics of satellite design and the various steps in the life cycle of satellite development. He also discussed his satellite development experience working on the MYSat-1 and MYSat-2 satellites.

Waste Management
The second workshop was titled “Waste Management and Waste to Energy,” which was conducted by Dr. C. Srinivasakannan, Professor of Chemical Engineering. The course provided an overview of the growing waste problem in developing societies and the role of waste management in minimizing negative impacts.

Robotics
Dr. Hamad Karki, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, presented the third workshop on the “Applications of Robotics in the Oil and Gas Industry.” In this workshop, the students were introduced on how robotics is used in the oil and gas industry, and how robotics and AI are integrated in the manufacturing process.

The Role of Policy
At the fourth workshop, Dr. Toufic Mezher, Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, talked about “The Role of Policy in the Renewable Energy Industry”. Dr. Mezher discussed strategic frameworks for managing high-technology businesses. The workshop highlighted the importance of acquiring powerful analytical tools that are critical for the development of a technology strategy as an integral part of business strategy.

Design Thinking for Sustainability

The last of the summer workshops was on “Design Thinking for Sustainability” conducted by BASF Executive Dr. Udo Huenger, Vice President, Middle East and other BASF trainers. BASF is a multinational chemical company and the largest chemical producer globally. During the workshop, the YFEL members learned about the basics of design thinking and how it can be applied to real-life sustainability challenges. The workshop also talked about how it helps to be inspired and create new ideas and solutions by combining feasibility, viability, and desirability.����

YFEL members from all over the world participated in the online workshops.��

“The program proves the commitment of the leadership at Khalifa University to prepare and equip young talent with the necessary tools for a more sustainable world. This has been done using a diverse selection of workshops as well as the irreplaceable experience of participating in World Future Energy Summit – Abu Dhabi 2020.” – Khalifa Sameh Khalaf Mohamed Aldhaen

“Personally, I really enjoyed learning about satellite development, because of my previous interest in aerospace engineering. It was also nice to know more about the role UAE is playing in this field. On the other hand, the practical experience with logic programming given by the robotics workshop was very interesting too. And finally, the leadership workshop gave me some fruitful insights on my leadership profile by learning about different types of leadership and example cases.” – Laura Suárez

“The workshops planned for YFEL were very diverse and interesting. It helped me gain knowledge about environmental topics and also exposed me to robotics and coding in an easy and enjoyable manner, thanks to Dr. Hamad Karki, since I thought such topics were difficult and perplexing. From these seminars, I gained new insights of different existing sectors and projects in the UAE, as well as enhanced my skills in leadership, projecting my ideas, and public speaking with the help of Mr. Kevin Garvey’s enthusiastic lectures.” – Maithaa Almazrouei

Ara Cruz
Creative Writer
29 September 2020

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In an uncertain future energy landscape, becoming sustainable requires transformation at every level. It implies not only switching fossil fuels to renewable energy, but also a whole raft of social, political and economic changes on a global scale. Enter the new generation of leaders who will pave the way for this long-term energy transformation.

The Young Future Energy Leaders program is one of the most dynamic platforms in the UAE for fostering tomorrow’s leaders. Aiming to educate, inspire and position students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges in advanced energy and sustainability, the YFEL program comprises a year-long schedule of courses and overseas visits.

Energy systems are increasingly complex and the UAE’s future scientists, engineers and innovators need the knowledge and technology to build a sustainable energy future. This knowledge includes courses on trends and future energy sustainability as well as technology, policy and leadership. Graduates leave the program with a mix of the education and soft skills needed to lead the world into a more sustainable future.

The YFEL program offers young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad the opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges: achieving energy efficiency and tackling climate change.

Most energy supply and demand outlooks to 2050 suggest that growing global energy demand will continue to be met largely by fossil energy sources, however calls to refrain from further investing in hydrocarbon projects due to environmental concerns are becoming increasingly prevalent. The program’s geographical base in the Middle East is therefore particularly relevant.

The energy sector is under huge pressure from climate change. A challenge for all of humanity, climate change needs to be addressed jointly and calls for changing the energy mix from the traditional hydrocarbons dominating the region towards low-emission sources, such as sun, hydroelectricity, and nuclear power. The United Arab Emirates is investing heavily in all alternative forms of energy – it has set an ambitious target to generate 50 percent of its energy from clean and renewable sources by 2050 – with this research highlighted in the YFEL courses.

Future energy leaders need to balance the de-carbonization of our energy supply with the need to provide the world with affordable, reliable and modern energy, as per the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Humanity needs to work together and enhance international cooperation. The YFEL program facilitates access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, with graduates promoting investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
Reaching a sustainable future requires thinking of the short-term as well as the long-term. The Middle East’s significant natural resource supplies need to be carefully considered to be best utilized in the evolving energy landscape—for example, using hydrocarbon energy to fill the gaps in renewable supply or prioritizing their availability for export and national industry. Fossil fuels will remain part of the future energy mix but their share in the future landscape must be reduced considerably to achieve sustainability goals.

Technology to generate clean energy from hydrocarbon fuels without harmful emissions, such as the Allam Cycle, need to be prioritized as the world is led into the future.

In the long-term, leadership and vision are in high demand. The inertia of government, the long operating life of investments in the energy sector and energy security issues are commonly considered the main obstacles preventing the transition needed in this area. The world needs leaders to drive the substantial change in attitude and behavior required to achieving global sustainability. To that end, the leadership, policy and business acumen imparted to the YFEL graduates will see them drive the commitments from state and non-state actors alike.

This is a challenging prospect, one for which these future leaders are extensively prepared. Long-term energy transformation needs more than the technologies already in use or in development—the plans laid today need to consider even more innovative and visionary technologies that don’t exist yet. The so-called sustainable development trilemma looms: currently, providing energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability simultaneously simply isn’t possible. A highly secure and environmentally-friendly energy supply would mean prohibitively high costs preventing equal access. But an accessible and secure energy supply for everyone the world over cannot be achieved without using fossil fuels, contributing to the environmental damage that has led us to climate change.

New technologies may make this possible but it takes visionaries to plan for these.

With the stage set from their successful completion of the YFEL program, the energy leaders of tomorrow are ready to change the world.

Jade Sterling
News and Features Writer
15 January 2020

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A total of 28 members of 2019 Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) outreach program were honored for successfully completing their year-long commitments at a gala ceremony, organized during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2020 at the Khalifa University Main Campus.

Certificates of completion were presented to the YFEL members by Abdulaziz Abdulla Alhajri, Member of the Khalifa University Board of Trustees, and Director, Refining and Petrochemicals Directorate, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), at the ceremony. These 2019 YFEL batch of graduates now join more than 450 YFEL program alumni.

The YFEL program was established in 2010 by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as an initiative to engage the youth in energy and sustainable technology and prepare them to be the future leaders in this field.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, and Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi, Senior Vice President, Academic and Student Services, Khalifa University, attended the ceremony. Others present at the ceremony included Dr. Steven Griffiths, Senior Vice President, Research and Development, and representatives from sponsors as well as dignitaries, and guests.

The 2019 YFEL members represent eight countries, with 17 UAE nationals with two international, and nine locally-based students. Also present were the 2020 YFEL members numbering nearly 50, for whom the evening’s proceedings served as an orientation ceremony.

Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi said: “Congratulations to the 2019 YFEL members for successfully completing a tough year-long journey towards becoming capable future energy leaders. These youth are now qualified and trained to handle core sustainability issues and I am sure they will effectively contribute to the community. Following the success of the graduating YFEL members, I am equally delighted to welcome the 10^th��group of YFEL members who I believe will remain even more committed to sustainability and clean energy technologies.”

During the ceremony, a video presentation highlighted the achievements of the 2019 YFEL outreach initiative that included their completion of educational courses in three categories – technology, policy and leadership. Also during the year, a team of YFEL members worked on a case study related to sustainability at the Expo 2020 site.

The 2019 YFEL members worked on a number of novel projects during the year. Emirati YFEL 2019 member Ali Jassim Rajab has worked on solar cells and machine-leaning algorithm to create a model to classify the health of trees at University of Tokyo. Rajab said: “I am truly grateful to the YFEL program that has academically enriched me and rewarded me in renewable energy-related research.”

Sharing his perspectives, Arturo Hernández Rodea of Mexico, Another YFEL member said: “Participating in the YFEL program from January 2019 has expanded my horizons in a way we can conceive our future cities and interactions with energy. The network of outstanding and dedicated colleagues we have created continues to inspire me and will help me to deliver better to the world.”

Rodea started a student’s program in sustainability at his university in Mexico, which in collaboration with Stanford University later became part of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network-Youth, and an official SDSN chapter in Mexico for both youth and seniors. He has also worked with General Electric Power Services – Latin America, on a project to simplify the weekly planning procedure from 10 hours to five minutes, resulting in substantial annual savings. Moreover, following a successful internship with the French group INCO, he is now, as an ambassador, looking to create an ecosystem for INCO Mexico.

Over the years, the YFEL program has received support from community leaders and corporate sponsors. Notable among them was the Emirati philanthropists His Excellency Mohammed bin Kardous Al Ameri, and His Excellency Sultan bin Rashed Al Dhaheri. In addition, German companies BASF and Siemens have sponsored YFEL teams.

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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 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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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’, and�� ‘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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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 ��aspiring 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.��

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’s��Young 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. ��

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 the�� support and due concern attributed by�� the UAE’s�� wise leadership to all�� projects and programs aiming�� at empowering the UAE young generation�� 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 for�� adoption of�� creative thinking and innovative�� solutions�� to address the issues of sustainability, and preparing tomorrow’s leaders and intellectuals in the fields of clean�� energy and sustainability to lead the transformation of the UAE towards a knowledge based�� 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. ��

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.” ��

“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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