Projects Focus on Improving Abu Dhabi's Soil Texture, Regenerating Specific Soils for Agriculture and ISEAS Pilot Facility for Producing Bioenergy
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 02 March, 2015 - Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it will highlight key research projects for their innovative role in safeguarding food security and sustainable agriculture at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) 2015.
GFIA is being organized from 9-11 March 2015 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC).
Faculty members will lead teams that will showcase the research projects at the Masdar Institute stand (A-241). The projects will include development of sustainable food and bioenergy through an Integrated Seawater, Energy and Agriculture System (ISEAS) pilot facility, improvement of Abu Dhabi's soil texture and quality through the use of palm frond waste, and regeneration of specific Abu Dhabi soils for agricultural purposes through the introduction of beneficial microbes with moisture and water retaining biodegradable micro-beads. In addition, two faculty members will participate in panel discussions and share their expertise at the event.
"The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture is an effective platform to showcase some of our regionally relevant research projects. This event will validate the valuable contributions of our research to local as well as international stakeholders. As a leading research-oriented academic institution seeking innovation in clean energy and sustainable technologies, Masdar Institute remains committed to obtaining solutions to challenges faced by the UAE and the region," said Dr Steve Griffiths, Executive Director, Office of Institute Initiatives, Masdar Institute.
The display of the project that seeks to transform Abu Dhabi's palm frond waste into a food security solution will be led by Dr. Lina F. Yousef, Assistant Professor, Water and Environmental Engineering. The research is expected to result in new technologies for enhancing the agricultural landscape and for water conservation in soil, which is directly relevant to the UAE's vision of becoming a leader in environmental conservation and water resource management. Dr Yousef will also be part of a panel discussion on restoring and managing marginal lands for agriculture.
At the same time, Dr Hector H. Hernandez, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, will brief visitors on the display of the research project that aims to regenerate specific Abu Dhabi soils for agricultural purposes. This project has the potential to help alleviate the poor conditions of the UAE soils and increase both the overall production of food from current agricultural farms and increase the availability of farmland for future use.
About Masdar Institute
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) was established by the government of Abu Dhabi as a not-for-profit, private graduate university to develop indigenous R&D capacity in Abu Dhabi addressing issues of importance to the region.
In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that articulates its mission and vision according to critical energy and sustainability challenges.
An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective. This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.
Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar's core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi's knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity's toughest challenges such as climate change.
Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.
Masdar Institute offers degrees in:
- MSc Engineering Systems and Management
- MSc Computing and Information Science
- MSc Materials Science and Engineering
- MSc Mechanical Engineering
- MSc Water and Environmental Engineering
- MSc Microsystems Engineering
- MSc Electrical Power Engineering
- MSc Chemical Engineering
- MSc Sustainable Critical Infrastructure
- PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering
Please visit our website www.masdar.ac.ae/
For more information contact:
Name: Shaima Al Jarman
Director - Marketing & Communications
Public Affairs Department
Email: saljarman@masdar.ac.ae
Phone: +971 02 810 9365
© Press Release 2015
