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National students find Masdar’s outreach initiative revelatory
posted on 29/07/2012: 696 views
Masdar Institute of Science and Technology announced on Saturday that its Ektashif outreach initiative has proved to be a true "eye-opener” to the participating students on its overall programme and research offerings.
A total of 10 UAE national undergraduate engineering and science students completed their course as the first-ever Ektashif programme concluded successfully recently.
Sultan Al Obaidli, a participant, said: "The Ektashif experience surpassed my expectations. I learnt about many initiatives and research projects at Masdar Institute and how important its role will be in providing clean energy in the future. For me, the Ektashif programme is a positive motivation to join Masdar Institute.”
Abdulla Al Kathiri, another participant, 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.”
The 12-day residential programme offered students a perfect platform to understand and operate within the cutting-edge laboratory environment at Masdar Institute.
The 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 programme covered presentations on laser technologies, biomass, and clean energy such as solar. Some of the advanced areas the students familiarised 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 the 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 to enriching themselves academically through the programme.
Dr Moavenzadeh said: "Through such programmes, Masdar Institute provides additional opportunities for the UAE national youth to explore, experience, and get educated in clean energy and advanced technologies. The Ektashif programme, which means ‘explore,' is a simple and comprehensive introduction to the Masters programmes that Masdar Institute offers. We hope the Ektashif programme 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 organised tours to industrial facilities, lectures, engineering design challenges, informational sessions about Masdar Institute programmes as well as team-building and recreational activities.
Participants affirmed the 12-day programme helped them learn additional skills and gain exposure to the high-tech labs at Masdar Institute. – The Gulf Today
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