Masdar Institute to Highlight Opportunities in Future Energy for Talented UAE Nationals at Najah 2014

UAE Nationals Invited to Explore Research, Academic, Career, Outreach, and Scholarship Options in Clean Energy and Sustainable Technologies 

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 26 October, 2014 – Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that it will be presenting its specialized research-focused degree programs to young UAE nationals at Najah 2014, the leading education training exhibition and career fair in the Middle East.

Organized under the patronage of His Excellency Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Najah 2014 will be held from October 28-30 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. The event is supported by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC).

Masdar Institute works to contribute to the UAE’s human capital development through its focus on research, academic, outreach, and professional development and collaboration in the field of advanced energy and sustainable technologies. Reflecting this, the Masdar Institute stand at Najah 2014 will offer details on its degree programs, cutting-edge laboratory facilities, and internship and scholarship options. Faculty and students from the five Masdar Institute Research Centers (iCenters) will also be present to offer insight into the research being conducted at Masdar Institute.

Information will also be available on overseas internships that are offered to UAE nationals at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, and in Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) in collaboration with the Japanese Ministry of External Trade and Industry (METI). Other individual research-related internships are also organized by faculty members for students in collaboration with overseas academic institutions.

Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “The increasing number of Emirati students enrolled in Masdar Institute’s graduate and PhD programs reflects the value and relevance our research has both locally and globally. Najah provides Masdar Institute an opportunity to reach out to even more talented UAE Nationals to invite them to be part of the next generation of problem solvers and leaders, contributing to the UAE’s progress and global sustainability.”

Masdar Institute will showcase two research projects at the event to give potential students an idea of the important issues they can work to solve. UAE national PhD student Ahmed Al Harethi will showcase his project that illustrates the role of native microalgae strains in the food-water-energy nexus. The other project is an interactive recycling bin, developed by Masdar Institute faculty and students in collaboration with WMS Metal, an industry partner.

In addition to UAE national students and researchers, Masdar Institute currently has a total of 17 UAE national faculty members. UAE nationals also constitute 53% percent of Masdar Institute’s employees, making it one of the top employers of the brightest and most qualified UAE nationals in the country. The non-academic and administrative staff members considerably contribute to the mission of the research-based institution.

Sara Al Muhairi, Director, Human Resources, Masdar Institute, said: “We welcome UAE national graduates who are ready to take up the challenge and be part of our mandate to ‘learn to change the world’. By providing exposure to international best practices, we are building a talent base of skilled UAE national administrative professionals, adequately trained to support the academia in general. We hope Najah will help raise awareness among young UAE national graduates about the potential opportunities at Masdar Institute, and encourage them to play a crucial role in the development of the country.”

Masdar Institute also offers UAE nationals other options for academic development through three different kinds of internships – Summer Research Internships, Ektashif and Student Internships. The internship programs offer UAE national undergraduate students a preview of the research and professional environment available at Masdar Institute.