Masdar Institute's iWater to Lead Research in Water and Environmental Technologies

Center to Develop Knowledge and Technologies to Tackle Challenges in Clean Water Production, Climate Change and Water Resource Management

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 25 March, 2014 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced the launch of its Institute Center for Water and Environment (iWater) to consolidate and drive research projects in this key strategic area.

iWater will produce knowledge and technologies that address the clean water production, climate change, and water resource management challenges faced by Abu Dhabi and the region.

Some of the research areas iWater will cover include water and environmental technologies, (including desalination, water and wastewater treatment), water re-use and recycling, and advanced materials for water applications. Additionally, it will cover water resource management and engineering, environmental sensing and monitoring, and climate change and adaption.

Water and environmental research is a key theme of the research-based Masdar Institute.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said: “The creation of iWater further illustrates our earnest drive towards more dedicated multidisciplinary research that encompasses all aspects of sustainable energy. Such centers will provide us with a means to achieve inventions and innovations of direct benefit to the UAE. With the support of the UAE leadership, Masdar Institute continues to develop into a hub for leading-edge research, and we hope the new center will achieve results that will benefit the wider global community.”

Dr. Taha B.M.J. Ouarda, Head of iWater, and Professor of Water & Environmental Engineering, said: “The launch of iWater signifies the consolidation of our research projects for better impact and visibility locally, regionally, and internationally. In addition to facilitating resource sharing, the center will lead to enhanced funding opportunities while offering flexibility and maintaining a nimble research task force. It will also provide the critical mass and a better platform for faculty recruitment. We believe iWater will bring about innovations that will further the adoption of clean technology.”

iWater will be associated with sponsored research centers such as the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), which is primarily linked to the Institute Center for (iEnergy) but will also be associated with iWater. It will also be associated with a sponsored research center in water technologies that will be launched later this year.

iWater will engage and inform domestic and international stakeholders of Masdar Institute's research activities and capitalize on the Institute's existing capabilities to facilitate future research development in core water and environment domains. It will focus on application of research findings locally and internationally, publication of influential academic papers, and organization of and participation in high caliber international conferences.

In addition, iWater will offer resources to support world-class research through the coordination of funding opportunities and by supporting strategic partnerships that catalyze external funding opportunities.

The creation of iWater is part of Masdar Institute’s strategy to consolidate its research efforts and provide the right channel to achieve innovations in areas that are of strategic importance to Abu Dhabi and the UAE