The Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program, an outreach initiative of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced it organized a technical course on solar energy technology for its members.

Held recently at the Masdar Institute campus, the three-module course titled ‘Fabrication and Characterization of Solar Cell Devices’ focused on three topics.

YFEL members learnt about solar cell technology and the fabrication processes for various types of solar cell technology. They also participated in a hands-on lab-based session together with a field visit to the 10MW photovoltaic power plant and the building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) testing facility at Masdar Institute.

A member of the Steering Committee of Masdar PV and a co-owner of IP rights, Dr. Mahieddine Emziane, Associate Professor of Solar Energy Materials & Devices Laboratory at Masdar Institute, conducted the course. The first day addressed the three modules, while YFEL members enhanced their experience through conducting experiments at Masdar Institute Laboratory, the next day. Later, and they visited the 10MW plant, as well as the testing facility at Masdar Institute.

Dr. Lamya Nawaf Fawwaz, Executive Director, Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, said: “The YFEL program aims to educate members on advanced energy and sustainability through short courses, workshops and seminars. Endorsed by the country’s leadership, Masdar Institute focuses on nurturing the leaders of tomorrow and contributes to achieving the long-term objectives of Abu Dhabi. We are confident the YFEL course on solar energy technology will help the youth to learn in depth about solar cells and enhance their knowledge of this key component of renewable energy.”

First author of over 60 peer-reviewed publications and technical reports, Dr. Emziane is also a member of the scientific committees of a number of international conferences. In addition, he is a member of international professional organizations such as International Organization of Palaeobotany (IoP), Market Research Society (MRS) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Dr. Emziane, a Chartered Scientist (CSci.), spent the past 17 years working in the area of semiconductor materials and devices especially PV, Thermal Photovoltaic (TPV), Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) and tandem solar cells. Among the founding faculty, he joined Masdar Institute in 2007 from Oxford University (UK), following which he spent one year as a Visiting Scholar at MIT (USA). He holds all his degrees in Applied Physics and Materials from France.

Zainab Ali Al Ali, Senior Outreach Officer and Coordinator of YFEL Program, said: “The three-module course aimed to hone the skills of YFEL members in solar energy-related technologies and offered them an opportunity to conduct experiments at the Masdar Institute laboratories. The program included lectures and practical experiments including a visit to the 10MW PV plant and Dr. Emziane’s field testing facility. This course offered those YFEL members an opportunity to widen their knowledge base in solar energy technology.”

The YFEL program opens doors for its members to acquire maximum knowledge, skills, experience, and network. The course on solar energy technology is part of YFEL annual course programs and offers members the opportunity to share their innovative ideas in advanced energy and sustainability with their peers as well as industry and academic leaders.

YFEL offers participants exceptional and unmatched access to top global leaders, senior business executives and academics engaged in alternative energy and sustainability through events such as World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi and other major events held globally. It is mandated to educate, inspire and empower students and young professionals to become future leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges in advanced energy and sustainability.

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