Appointment will support the institute’s mandate of transforming Abu Dhabi into a hub of advanced technology and skilled human capital

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, claimed to be the world’s first graduate research institution dedicated to alternative energy, environmental technologies and sustainability, has announced the appointment of Dr Fred Moavenzadeh, as its President. Dr Moavenzadeh, who was James Mason Crafts Professor of Engineering and Director of the Technology and Development programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), took up his position at Masdar Institute on July 1. His appointment comes at the completion of the institute’s inaugural academic year. His brief is to support Masdar’s mandate of transforming the emirate into a source of advanced technologies and skilled human capital. MIT is Masdar’s collaborating partner.

According to Masdar Institute, Dr Moavenzadeh is widely recognised for his innovative role in building global institutions and developing new models of teaching and research through international initiatives in education, science and technology. He received his Masters degree from Cornell University, New York, and his PhD from Purdue University, Indiana. He also has a long and distinguished career at MIT. As the Director of the Technology and Development Programme, a position he held for the past 39 years, he led and facilitated the establishment of a research-based science and technology infrastructure, now regarded as a critical component in the economic development of any nation.

General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, which is an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Government, and a subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company, Mubadala. HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is its patron.

The institute, avowedly owes its founding to the vision of Abu Dhabi’s leadership to establish a sustainable knowledge-based economy, and serves as the nucleus of an interdisciplinary, collaborative, high-technology research and development infrastructure.

Commenting on Dr Moavenzadeh’s appointment, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, and the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustee of Masdar Institute, said: “In a short period of time, Masdar Institute has made significant progress towards supporting Abu Dhabi’s goal of cultivating the necessary human capital required to build a knowledge-led and technology exporting economy. I am confident that by bringing Dr Moavenzadeh and his wealth of experience to Abu Dhabi, another important stride has been taken towards our goal.”

In this context, Dr Moavenzadeh said: “In responding to the defining challenge of our time, climate change and energy security, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is embarking on an exciting and vital journey, with a comprehensive approach to education and research. I am delighted to be appointed as its President.”

Continuing on the same theme he added: “My mission as President will be to advance the long-term sustaining development of Abu Dhabi by providing a highly trained calibre of people equal to the task and working with other academic institutions in the region, with government officials, and with industry, to insure free flow of information and coordination of effort across platforms that will provide answer to complex questions and needs.”