Masdar Institute of Science and Technology launches Young Future Energy Leaders at World Future Energy Summit 2010

ABU DHABI – (December 15, 2009): Masdar Institute of

Science and Technology has initiated a special program, Young Future Energy Leaders, to offer tomorrow’s energy leaders specialized workshops, seminars, and unrivalled networking opportunities at this first event, to be held during the 3^rd annual World Future Energy Summit – part of Future Energy Week in Abu Dhabi in January 2010.

The Young Future Energy Leaders program will be hosted by the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the Middle East’s first graduate institution dedicated to research into the development of alternative energy, environmental technologies and sustainability.

The four-day invitation-only program will run in parallel to the World Future Energy Summit from 18 – 21 January. The Young Future Energy Leaders program will provide 150 participants with an unparalleled opportunity to engage in discussions with the world’s foremost experts in energy, climate change, policy, and sustainability. They will also have a chance to network with government representatives, businesses leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, said:

“Initiatives like Young Future Energy Leaders – inspired by the vision of Abu Dhabi’s leadership to involve the younger generation in finding solutions to future energy challenges – provide an excellent platform for UAE youth to become more involved in alternative energy and sustainability. Exposure to the quality of experts taking part in World Future Energy Summit will help our young people develop an international perspective that will be essential to developing a global solution to energy challenges.”

The event will profile the efforts and activities of Masdar Institute, which launched its inaugural academic year in September 2009, with 88 highly qualified students from 22 countries enrolling in five Master’s programs.

Dr John Perkins, Provost of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, said:

“Young Future Energy Leaders will expose participants to the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, and opportunities for further study, while also showcasing the new technologies researched by Masdar Institute’s world-class international faculty in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).”

Masdar Institute invited the private sector and academia to nominate their most promising and talented young people to participate in the Young Future Energy Leaders program. Participants will come from a broad spectrum of universities, businesses, and government organizations.

Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Assistant Provost for Regional Affairs at Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, said:

“We are particularly pleased that we have received significant interest from young Emiratis in attending the Young Future Energy Leaders program, which will increase their awareness of and participation in the fields of alternative energy and sustainability. This is just one of a number of outreach activities planned by Masdar Institute to develop Nationals into leaders in these fields, as part of the overall vision for Abu Dhabi.”

The program – which is now closed to applications – was open to young UAE students and professionals who are studying towards or already have engineering or material science degree from a recognized university, with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0. The 150 places available were allocated to those students with the best credentials. In the future, Masdar Institute will expand the Young Future Energy Leaders program, as well as increase the number of students and professionals participating.

ENDS

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MI), is a not-for-profit, post-graduate research institute, dedicated to alternative energy, environmental technologies and sustainability developed with the support and collaboration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, is part of the Masdar Initiative, a multi-faceted initiative of the Abu Dhabi Government aimed at the development, deployment, and commercialization of advanced energy solutions.