Members of Masdar Institute’s YFEL 2015 programme honoured for successful completion of year-long course

ABU DHABI, 22nd January, 2016 (WAM) -- Masdar Institute of Science of Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology, yesterday announced that 33 members of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) 2015 outreach programme were honoured for successfully completing their year-long training and mentorship experience. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, and Chairman of Masdar, presented certificates of completion to the fifth batch of YFEL members at the graduation ceremony, which was organised during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2016. The ceremony was attended by Abdulla Al-Majid, Assistant Under-Secretary and the Chief Innovation Office at UAE Ministry of Justice, Faisal Al Ali, Scholarships Division Manager, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Rafi Baghdjian, Chief Operations Officer Shell Abu Dhabi, representatives from YFEL sponsors such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), dignitaries, and guests. Previous private sponsors and community leaders, including Salem bin Kardous Al Ameri, son of Mohammed bin Kardous Al Ameri, the renowned Emirati philanthropist who made the first private contribution to YFEL, also attended the event. Dr. Ahmed Belhoul, CEO, Masdar, Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, James Mason Crafts Professor, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Systems, and Director of the Technology and Development Program, MIT. Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, Dr. Lamya N. Fawwaz, Vice- President of for Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, Masdar Institute, Hamza Kazim, Vice-President for Operations and Finance, Dr. Steve Griffiths, Vice-President for Research, and members of the YFEL 2016 program were present on the occasion. Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, said: "This annual ceremony honours YFEL members who have successfully completed their year-long courses, overseas visits, and training programs that equip them to be future leaders. It also represents the culmination of the development phase the YFEL members pass through on their journey towards becoming leading professionals in clean energy and sustainable sectors. We congratulate the YFEL 2015 members and welcome the new members for YFEL 2016." The fifth graduation ceremony served as an inaugural event for the YFEL 2016 members while helping the YFEL 2015 members to look back on their achievements with pride. A special video on the success stories of the year highlighted the major activities of YFEL 2015 program, which included specially organised courses on leadership, policy and technology as well as visits to sustainability-related activities for communities in overseas locations. YFEL 2015 member Mohammed Bastaki offered his perspectives on the year-long experience. During the year, YFEL 2015 members attended courses that promote innovation in different areas related to advanced energy and sustainability. These courses were led in partnership with different international government organisations such as IRENA, energy leader SHELL, and others. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395290592438.html