Big Increase in Number of Applications for Six-Week Program that Offers Research in Over 15 Clean and Advanced Technology Projects

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 22 May, 2012 - Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced a total of 13 UAE national applicants have been selected for the six-week summer internship program.

University seniors and/or those graduating this year with science, engineering or computer science as major subjects were eligible to apply for the summer internship program. Scheduled to begin from 1 July, the internship program runs for six weeks.

The selected undergraduate students represent a cross-section of all the universities in the UAE and have registered excellent academic performance in science, engineering and computer science. They were meticulously chosen based on their high academic qualification requirements as well as evaluation by Masdar Institute faculty members. During the tenure of the program, students will be expected to act as full-time assistants and will be given responsibilities accordingly.

In addition to the academic records and a strong penchant for renewable energy and sustainable technology subjects, applicants must have a GPA not less than 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and an IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). A letter of recommendation was mandatory.

Over 40 undergraduate students submitted applications online for the summer research opportunities. From these applicants, 13 were chosen based on their academic and individual competency.

Dr Lamya Nawaf Fawwaz, Executive Director, Masdar Institute, said: "The volume of applications reflect the enthusiasm shown by UAE national graduates to take up internship options in areas that cover research in advanced energy and sustainable technologies. The new generation of students see potential opportunities in this new and fast-growing renewable energy industry for which Abu Dhabi has emerged as a hub. With the guidance and support of the country's leadership, we will continue to offer engaging academic enhancement opportunities and an array of internship program offerings that are designed to further develop the capabilities of the students."

Among the wide range of internship projects, the MATLAB Simulation Development for Power Grid Systems Development project led by Professor Amro Farid attracted the largest number of student participants. The Detection and Quantification of Emerging Contaminants in Abu Dhabi Recycled Water Using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) project led by Professor Farrukh Ahmad attracted the next biggest number of students while the rest of the projects attracted a near-equal number of interested UAE national graduates and seniors.

The Masdar Institute summer internship program will conclude with an award ceremony that will honor the most outstanding performers across these programs. Results obtained from the research will also be displayed for the specially invited guests and families of students during the ceremony.

Part of Masdar Institute's outreach initiative, the summer internship program helps Emirati university students develop a keen sense of awareness and appreciation of environmental, energy and sustainability issues that impact their everyday lives, in addition to focusing on critical research areas of relevance.  Undergraduate students, however, need to possess the right academic skills, talents and dispositions necessary to obtain graduate education and eventual employment in these challenging areas.

Established as an ongoing collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 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.

About Masdar Institute
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.

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

Please visit our website http://www.masdar.ac.ae/

For more information contact:
Name: Bader Al Zarei
Communications Manager
Public Affairs Department
Email: balzarei@masdar.ac.ae
Phone: +971 02 8109372

© Press Release 2012