ABU DHABI // Researchers at the Masdar Institute welcomed the students and introduced them to Masdar’s vision of the future.
The tour began with a trip to one of Masdar’s high-tech laboratories, where Faisal Al Marzooqi, a doctoral candidate at the institute, showed where he was able to view a piece of graphene worth Dh18.3 million. They then visited the city’s facilities, which combine ancient Arabic architectural methods with modern technology.
Using this technique, the headquarters is naturally cooler by capturing prevailing winds, making the walks between the buildings more tolerable in the summer.
Noura Al Attar, a pupil from Ras Al Khaimah, said that the visit was as much educational as it was like “opening a door to the future”.
“It’s comforting to know that my country is not just concerned in the present but planning for the next generation,” she said.
The students then were introduced to the solar capabilities.
Harnessing the sun’s rays, Masdar uses clean energy generated on-site from rooftop solar panels and one of the largest photovoltaic installations in the Middle East. Another pupil, Ali Shawi, said that technology used in Masdar is both an experiment and reality for his generation.
“By using the sun, wind and other forms of energy, we can actually pave our way, and look for another alternative to gas that is sustainable and good for the environment,” said Ali, from Umm Al Quwain.
Dr Nawal Al Hosany, director of sustainability at Masdar, said she hoped this would inspire the students to consider the field of renewable energy sciences as a career path.
“As we approach National Day, we should all feel proud of our leadership’s commitment to follow the legacy of our late founding father Sheikh Zayed and his vision for a sustainable future,” she said.
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
