Masdar Institute, the world’s first graduate-level university dedicated to providing real-world solutions to issues of sustainability, today announced that a number of students from its Foundation Program and select members of Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) are participating in an intensive 11-day program on integrated energy systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US.

Titled ‘Masdar Institute Practical Experience at MIT’, the program runs from 19-29 June at MIT. The program is organized by the MIT Energy Initiative, which is an MIT initiative designed to help transform the global energy system to meet future needs while simultaneously helping to improve today’s energy systems.

Masdar Institute Foundation Program students and select YFEL members travelled to the US on 18 June and were treated to an orientation session titled ‘Orientation to Energy Systems and the Practical Experience Program’ by Prof. Vladimir Bulović, Professor of Electrical Engineering, on 19 June, followed by a welcome reception and dinner. The students are currently taking classes in a total of seven modules as part of their experience at MIT.

The Masdar Institute Foundation Program, which was introduced during the Fall of 2010, is designed to give dedicated and ambitious UAE national applicants the opportunity to refresh and extend their knowledge of the principles that underlie the academic field of their choosing ahead of their studies in one of Masdar Institute’s eight Master’s degree programs. After successfully completing the Foundation Program courses and an optional summer practical experience at MIT, students enrolled in the Foundation Program continue their studies in their chosen Master’s program.

YFEL, on the other hand, is a key element of the annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES). YFEL focuses on raising the awareness of students and young professionals in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. This unique program provides mentorship for future leaders in the fields of alternative energy by engaging them with the leaders of today. YFEL also offers young professionals and students from the UAE and abroad the opportunity to become more engaged in finding solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, which include energy efficiency, clean energy production and climate change.

MIT Professors Steven Leeb, Electrical Engineering, and James Kirtley, Computer Science, will focus on energy conversion during the first module that will examine rotating electric machines through review and analysis of electric motor/machine operation and performance. The session will also engage the students in designing, building and testing a motor.

Other modules include ‘Energy Storage and Batteries’, to be conducted by MIT Professors Daniel Nocera, Henry Dreyfus, and Gerbrand Ceder. The session on ‘Energy Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ will be led by Professor Fiona Murray, Associate Professor of Management in the Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship Group at the MIT Sloan School of Management and Faculty Director of the MIT Entrepreneurship Center. This module will also entail visits to local clean energy start-up companies.

The module titled ‘Solar Energy: Emerging Technologies and Applications’ will be presented by Prof. Marc Baldo, Associate Director of the Research Laboratory of Electronics and Director of the Center for Electronics, and Prof. Vladimir Bulovic.

After the weekend break, Prof. Leon Glicksman and Prof. David Perrault will deliver modules on ‘Buildings, Smart Grids, and Efficiency’, while Prof. John Sterman will focus on ‘International Climate Negotiation’. The module on ‘Water, Energy and Environment’ will be led by Prof. John Lienhard.

Discussing the impact of the program Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute, said: “The program developed for Masdar Institute Foundation Program students and YFEL members brings together outstanding researchers and teachers from MIT’s energy faculty. This knowledge-sharing event will be an ideal opportunity for Masdar Institute students to interact with the high-calibre faculty at MIT. We are confident that the students will be immensely enriched by this timely and relevant program on renewable energy and sustainability.”

Professor Steven Griffiths, Executive Director of the Masdar Institute Office of Institute Initiatives, explained: “Our objective is to create ample opportunities for experts from world-renowned academic institutions to share their experience with Masdar Institute students and YFEL members. This program is the outcome of our strong ties with MIT and demonstrates MIT’s ongoing support for Masdar Institute.”

Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of Public Affairs said: “The diversity and expertise of the faculty offering this 11-day program at MIT will provide the students with enhanced perspectives on the global challenges we face in energy efficiency, clean energy and water production, and climate change.”

Established in 2006, the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) has positioned MIT as a leader in a new era of highly focused energy-related activity. Situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, a vibrant hub of energy innovation, MITEI represents an institutional commitment to multidisciplinary energy research and education.

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