(18 July 2011)
Masdar is collaborating with Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) to sponsor some of the key activities during the three-week ATIC ‘Summer of Semiconductors’ program.
Organised by ATIC, and in collaboration with The American University of Sharjah, the AMD Foundation, Creative Kids Academy and Abu Dhabi Education Council, the ‘Summer of Semiconductors’ program is being held from 10-28 July at the Glenelg School in Abu Dhabi. More than 150 UAE national students from grades 8–11 have come together to attend the summer program. The event is designed to introduce Abu Dhabi’s leading young talent to the field of advanced technologies and nurture further development.
In addition to the educational component, Masdar is a significant contributor to the community outreach (volunteer) activities of the summer program.
As part of this collaboration, Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Associate Director of Sustainability at Masdar, will conduct a workshop with the students on ‘Alternative Energy and Sustainability’, while Dr Ken Volk, Head of Outreach at Masdar Institute, will host a session on alternative energy.
Commenting on the program, Dr. Nawal said: “Masdar supports community outreach programs, especially those focused on students who are the world’s future decision-makers. This is part of our commitment to inculcate ‘green’ habits and guide the youth in sustainability. The ‘Summer of Semiconductors’ is a great opportunity to inform and educate students at all levels and engage them in eco-friendly activities. We are confident the students of this program will gain greater awareness about the need for clean technology and sustainability.”
In order to introduce the virtues of sustainability right from childhood, participants are being asked to recycle all materials utilized throughout the three-week ‘Summer of Semiconductors’ program.
Students are also being encouraged to create something innovative with the recyclable objects and showcase their work in a gallery during the closing ceremony on 28 July.
The students at the ‘Summer of Semiconductors’ program will also get a chance to watch the inspiring Oscar-nominated documentary ‘Waste Land’ directed by Lucy Walker. Sponsored by Masdar, the movie will be screened at the Glenelg School auditorium. The film follows Brazilian artist Vik Muniz to a massive waste dump outside Rio de Janeiro in Brazil where he creates breathtaking works of art in collaboration with people who collect recyclable materials to make a living.