USIM Is Malaysia's Sole Rep To SDME2018

NILAI (Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia), Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The proposed model of an energy-friendly smart house by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM or Science University of Malaysia), dubbed 'Mizan House', is the sole Malaysian entry to the final of the 2018 Solar Decathlon Middle East (SDME) 2018. USIM FKAB Architecture Department co-ordinator, Fadli Arabi said USIM was among 20 varsities globally picked to the final of SDME2018 in Dubai, as announced by main organisers Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) recently. Universities wishing to take part in SDME must submit the proposal of a model smart house operating fully on solar energy, and USIM's Engineering and Built Environment Faculty (FKAB) works with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM or Technology University of Malaysia) to turn out a model of the house. The house must also be able to adjust to hot weather, dust and high dampness in this region (Dubai). "The 'Mizan House' team has two years to design and build the house which is sustainable and durable. Upon completion, the team will be involved in 10 contests encompassing architectural evaluation, engineering for sustainability and innovation. "It will give a new challenge and experience to us in turning out a house which meets the 'clean energy' concept," he said in a statement here Monday. Meanwhile, according to Dubai Energy Supreme Council Vice-President-cum-DEWA chief executive officer, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the selection of the finalists was carefully carried out by a panel of experts. In a statement, he said the results of the SDME contest would be announced in October next year, in conjunction with the organisation of the 2018 Solar Decathlon, with the winner set to win a cash prize of US$2.72 million (AED10 million). SDME is organised via an agreement between the Dubai Energy Supreme Council, DEWA and the United States Energy Department, with the main aim of disseminating knowledge on housing innovation which is energy smart and sustainable. It also supports the 2050 Dubai Clean Energy Strategy launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to turn Dubai into a clean energy and green economy global hub, diversifying Dubai's energy and boosting the contribution of renewable energy. --BERNAMA