Agreement to Strengthen Human Capital Development and Enable Sharing of Knowledge, Expertise and Technology

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 20 October, 2013

The Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), a leading government organization in the UAE providing a sustainable supply of water and power to support the growth of Abu Dhabi, and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced they have signed an agreement, officially expanding the strategic collaboration to jointly contribute to human capital development.

The agreement formalizes the terms and conditions upon which ADWEA Scholars will be sourced, admitted, supported, funded and supervised for post-graduate courses at Masdar Institute.

His Excellency Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, Director-General, ADWEA, was present at the signing ceremony. The agreement was signed by Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, and His Excellency Faris Obaid Al Dhaheri, Business Support Director, ADWEA.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said: "We are delighted to enter into a scholarship agreement with ADWEA, one of our key stakeholders who collaborate with us in several research projects. The expertise offered by our globally-renowned faculty serves as the guiding force that enables students to work towards breakthrough innovations. With the support of the country's leadership, we continue to strengthen our capabilities for providing higher learning opportunities, more importantly in energy and water-related research. We hope the program will prove to be immensely beneficial to UAE nationals within the ADWEA Group."

His Excellency Faris Obaid Al Dhaheri said: "The scholarship agreement is designed to create learning opportunities for our national employees and enhance their skill set through post-graduate study, including Master's and Doctoral programs. In addition to ADWEA Scholarship Program, we believe this agreement will further expand ADWEA's contribution and commitment to human capital and knowledge development - one of the fundamentals of Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030 plan."

The ADWEA Scholarship Program recognizes the need to encourage UAE nationals to pursue postgraduate qualifications, with a special focus on water and power. It offers valuable opportunities for UAE national employees, directors and officers of the ADWEA Group to continue with their postgraduate qualifications.

Since its inception, a total of 425 students have benefited from the Scholarship program. ADWEA Group also grants tuition assistance and study leave to qualified employees in order to allow them to continue their educational pursuits while maintaining their present employment status. The current scholarship agreement with Masdar Institute aims to further widen the scope of opportunities available to the employees.

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.

Established as an on-going 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.

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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

And

PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering

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

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

About ADWEA
ADWEA was established in 1998 to provide a sustainable supply of water and electricity to support the growth of Abu Dhabi as it continues to work towards the 2030 vision.  Sustainable development is a key aspect of ADWEA and its aim is to provide the basic needs of the community in a cost effective and reliable way.  ADWEA continues to meet production demands, by providing a modern network, reducing down time, addressing leaks and constantly finding ways to improve customer service solutions.

ADWEA produces the power and water Abu Dhabi needs mostly through partnerships with leading developers, and such power and water is procured, transmitted and supplied throughout Abu Dhabi through its subsidiaries: the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, Al Ain Distribution Company, Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company, and Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company. Advanced and reliable infrastructure is necessary to promote development in Abu Dhabi, and it is not only a foundation to build on today, but one that will continue to provide for Abu Dhabi's needs for years to come.

For further information, please visit our website: http://www.adwea.ae/en/home.aspx or alternatively, please contact:

Email: bsd.media@adwea.ae
Phone: +971 2694 3307

About the ADWEA Scholarship Program
ADWEA consistently values, supports and encourages education at all levels, with the aim of producing a highly skilled and knowledge based working environment.  The ADWEA Scholarship Program enables UAE Nationals to develop and strengthen their technical skills and expertise, whilst gaining invaluable practical and academic experience, equip them for the future and prepare them for the challenges ahead.

For further information please visit our website: http://www.adwea.ae/en/about-us/outreach-education/adwea-scholarships.aspx.

© Press Release 2013