Masdar Institute of Science and Technology

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology
معهد مصدر للعلوم والتكنولوجيا
Established	February 25, 2007
Type	Private not-for-profit
President	Fred Moavenzadeh[1]
Academic staff	42 [2]
Students	No undergraduate programs
Postgraduates	170 [2]
Location	Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Campus	Small city
Website	Masdar.ac.ae

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) is a graduate level, research-oriented university which is focused on alternative energy, sustainability, and the environment. It is located in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Masdar Institute is an integral part of the non-profit side of the Masdar Initiative^[3] and will be the first institution to occupy Masdar City. The Technology and Development Program ^[4] at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is providing scholarly assessment and advice to Masdar Institute.

History

Masdar Institute was established on February 25, 2007 ^[5] and has commenced with 170 students from 32 countries in spring 2011.^[2] The establishment of Masdar Institute is part of a resource diversification policy for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi's leadership views research and education in alternative energy as a keystone for the future development of the emirate and have expressed their commitment through the establishment of Masdar Initiative, Masdar City and the Zayed Future Energy Prize.^[6]

The President, Fred Moavenzadeh, was appointed in June 2010 and is the James Mason Crafts Professor of Systems Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT.^[1]

Campus

The campus, like Masdar City, is designed by architectural firm Foster + Partners^[7] and the first phase of the project is managed by CH2M HILL.^[8] Emphasis is placed on flexibility, use of traditional architectural elements and modern materials to provide for an optimized combination of natural lighting and cooling that minimize energy needs both indoors and outdoors.

Organization

Masdar Institute is emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and an early decision was made to establish programs rather than departments. The currently existing programs are:

• Chemical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Material Science and Engineering
• Engineering Systems and Management
• Water and Environmental Engineering
• Computing & Information Science
• Electrical Power Engineering
• Microsystems

Students

Masdar Institute has admitted 92 students from 22 countries in the first year of its operation and is planning to have a steady state population of about 800 students. Qualified students from around the world are offered a full tuition scholarship, monthly stipend, travel reimbursement, personal laptop, textbooks, and accommodation once accepted to any of Masdar Institute's programs.

Faculty and Research

Masdar Institute commenced teaching in September 2009. They will be conducting research individually and in collaboration with MIT on a variety of topics.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Moavenzadeh named president of Masdar Institute". MIT News. June 29, 2010. http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/moavenzadeh-masdar.html. Retrieved August 6, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "About us - Fast facts". http://www.masdar.ac.ae/aboutus/FastFacts.php. Retrieved April 13, 2011. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ Masdar Initiative - Masdar Institute
4. ^ MIT|TDP - Technology Development Program
5. ^ ADFEC signs a cooperative agreement with The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
6. ^ Opening address of the World Future Energy Summit by H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of The U.A.E. Armed Forces. Available at: WFES presentations
7. ^ Foster + Partners Masdar City project website
8. ^ Masdar selects CH2M Hill to manage the development of the world's first fully sustainable 'Green Community'

External links

	United Arab Emirates portal
	University portal

• Official website
• Masdar Initiative website