(15 January 2015)
The 2015 members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program – a Masdar Institute of Science and Technology outreach initiative – will be inaugurating their year-long experience at the annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES), the flagship event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), taking on 19–22 January.
“The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week sets in motion what promises to be an immersive year of experiences, engagements and exposure for the talented members of YFEL. Thanks to the UAE leadership’s continued support of this and other Masdar Institute programs, new doors of opportunity will open for these young leaders. I am confident that the YFEL members of 2015 will take full advantage of the opportunities available at ADSW to learn, network and innovate,” said Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Masdar Institute.
This year’s selected YFEL members, numbering nearly 100, were selected from among the world’s brightest students and young professionals from the UAE and abroad. Part of Masdar Institute’s Outreach Program, YFEL offers young professionals and students an opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s biggest challenges – achieving energy efficiency and tackling climate change. It also aims to bring young professionals closer to government representatives, business leaders and other organizations active in the area of alternative energy and sustainability.
YFEL members will have an exclusive meeting with the Solar Impulse pilots, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, and the CEO’s of their corporate sponsors. Solar Impulse is the first aircraft built to fly exclusively on solar energy during the day and night. The two pilots will be attempting their first round-the-world solar flight this March starting from Abu Dhabi.
The young leaders will spend the duration of the summit developing their own research proposals on sustainability and advanced energy. They will present their proposals on the final day. Their proposals – ranging from waste management to water filtration systems – will be innovative and SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and relevant, and time-bound. With the support of Masdar Institute’s experienced faculty, these research projects will be individually spearheaded and developed throughout the year.
During ADSW, the YFEL members experience an engaging week, full of stimulating debates and panel discussions on innovative energy and sustainability solutions to address the world’s biggest energy challenges. They will get the opportunity to meet with key stakeholders and professionals in the renewable energy industry and will hear speeches by keynote speakers ranging from Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation, to André Borschberg, CEO of Solar Impulse.