Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it has gradually gained status as a UAE organization that attracts professionals and faculty from across the world, similar to other globally-acclaimed institutions.

Dr. Amer Al Hinai from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Oman is currently spending his sabbatical leave as a visiting Assistant Professor in the Electrical Power Engineering (EPE) program at Masdar Institute. Dr. Al Hinai is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at SQU. His areas of interest include Power Systems: Control and Operation, Multi-Agent Systems: Application to Control of Power Systems, Optimization Techniques and Applications to Power Systems.

The presence of Dr. Al Hinai reflects Masdar Institute’s efforts to strengthen ties with GCC countries, while reiterating the status of the Abu Dhabi-based institution as a destination for regional scientists keen on conducting cutting-edge research.

Dr. Marwan K. Khraisheh, Dean of Engineering, Masdar Institute, said: “Faculty members spend their sabbatical leaves mostly in globally-renowned institutions away from this region to further develop their professional capabilities or to continue their research work. However, Dr. Al Hinai’s presence in Masdar Institute demonstrates his preference for an institution that offers the perfect environment for research similar to any other global academic institution here in the GCC region. We are confident Dr Al Hinai will find the experience at Masdar Institute enriching and productive.”

Dr. Amer has carried out more than 20 research projects related to energy savings, power system analysis, power system protection, load shedding, power system quality and transient stability of power systems. He has published over 30 research papers in international journals & conferences, and more than 32 technical reports.

Dr. Al Hinai said: “Being involved with the EPE program at Masdar Institute matches my specialization and interest. This indeed will help me carry on related research and collaboration with EPE faculty and students. Though both Sultan Qaboos University and Masdar Institute are similar in many ways, the Abu Dhabi institution stands apart in offering tailored postgraduate programs with research focus on renewable energy and sustainability.

“The knowledge exchange among the GCC member countries and between the UAE and Oman is crucial for social and human development, as well as to diversify the economy to achieve sustainable development. Knowledge exchange is a translation of GCC’s interest in supporting projects of scientific and technological research that stimulates creativity and innovation, while promoting the concept of the knowledge-based economy.”

Beside his research activities, Dr. Amer has also conducted several training/short course sessions in Electrical Power System. He has served as IEEE-SQU students chapter advisor for two years and is currently the IEEE-Oman section Secretary.

Dr. Amer Al-Hinai received a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in 1997 and joined the University as a Demonstrator the next year. He received his M.Sc. and Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University, Morgantown, US.

Similar to Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Institute, Sultan Qaboos University implements various sustainability measures including organizing conferences focused on energy and environment sustainability, collaborating with local, regional, and international institutions on sustainable energy, and conducting externally and internally-funded research projects. It has also established a Renewable and Sustainable Energies Research Group, a research center dedicated for environmental studies, as well as post-graduate and doctoral research projects on sustainability. The SQU has also earned distinctive credit for designing and building the first eco house in Oman.

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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