Underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to build a knowledge-based economy, renewable energy and clean technology

Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, officially inaugurated the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology campus at Masdar City on November 23, according to a recent announcement. It is the Middle East’s first graduate research institution dedicated to renewable energy and clean environmental technologies.

During the inauguration, His Highness Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, “Backed by the visionary leadership of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the UAE is committed to the development of human capital as a foundation to drive the country’s long-term economic viability.”

He added that Abu Dhabi was committed to strengthening its intellectual capital and moving to a knowledge-based economy through the investment in higher education as well as research and development, particularly in the field of renewable energy. He further noted that the students at Masdar Institute represented the world’s future researchers, academicians and leaders, who will be responsible for developing and advancing the technologies, which will address some of the world’s most pressing energy challenges and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and diversification.

On the occasion, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute, said: “Thanks to the guidance of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi is dedicated to higher education as a key element to the successful integration and adoption of clean energy and forging commercialisation opportunities for the region. Masdar Institute is the foundation for shaping future scientists, and is a core driver in moving to a knowledge-based economy, with a strong focus on intellectual capital.”

He further emphasised that the advancements in renewable energy and clean technology were vital to diversifying Abu Dhabi’s economy, creating jobs, helping meet rising energy demands, expanding its energy portfolio and conserving its hydrocarbon resources. He added that Masdar had demonstrated that being a leader in alternative energy required focus on long-term strategic planning, careful decision-making, adaptability and flexibility to market conditions and technological innovation.

The announcement, underpinning this aspect highlighted that the institute has smart, high-performance building design, and its facilities use 54% less potable water, have shown 51% reduction in electrical demand and are fully powered by solar energy. While constructing the buildings, a special mix of concrete was also used to minimise carbon emissions, and the wood used came from sustainable forests, the announcement claimed. These measures underscore Masdar’s ongoing focus to use environmentally friendly materials and recycling all that is unused, in order to minimise the ecological footprint, it added.