MIT to Help Develop Renewable Energy Institute in Middle East

Known primarily as being a country rich in oil reserves, the United Arab Emirates will soon play host to a new research institute that offers postgraduate programs in renewable energy and sustainability in its capital city of Abu Dhabi.

Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC) signed a cooperative agreement to help develop the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.
“The Masdar Institute will serve as the nucleus of the Masdar Initiative, feeding it with talent and innovative technologies to enhance economic development and promote new industries using renewable energy and resources in the emirate and the region.” said Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of ADFEC. “This cooperative agreement will lead to a superior relationship between the Masdar Institute and MIT to jointly address global energy issues.”

Al Jaber highlighted the importance of developing indigenous research and development capabilities in Abu Dhabi to address issues of particular regional importance, such as energy, water and sustainability.

“The guiding philosophy of Masdar is to transform the natural resource wealth of the country to a long-term, sustainable knowledge economy through the development of human capital that can effectively compete in the global marketplace,” he added.

Renewable Energy Access