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Don’t create borders for your ambitions, says Abdullah

Shaikh Abdullah handing over certificates to graduates of class 2015 of Masdar University  at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday. — KT photo by Shoaib Anwer

Abu Dhabi - Some a bit anxious, some a bit shy, but all cheered by family and friends, 106 students walked on to the stage of Emirates Palace on Tuesday. They were all graduates of Masdar Institute, receiving their Master’s certificates from Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister and a member of the Board of Trustees of Masdar Institute.

“Today we face great challenges. As we take steps towards the future, our economy, based on oil and gas, moves towards a more environmentally sustainable economy,” said Shaikh Abdullah, addressing the young graduates.

“Masdar Institute is a pioneer of sustainability in the water, energy, industry, food and health sectors (...) and I see here today capable men and women who have the confidence to go on the right path and put the UAE on the sustainable future map”.

Reminding graduates of the hard work and passion they invested in their research projects they have done for their Master’s degree, Shaikh Abdullah urged them to maintain the same drive and dedication in their future careers.

“Don’t give up! Continue to do your best for your country. Don’t create borders for your ambitions, for your innovation ideas. I believe in you and I look forward to see your participation as ambassadors for the UAE,” he added.

This was Masdar Institute’s fifth graduation ceremony. After two years of study and research, the 106 students received their Master’s in Science degree. And, for the first time ever at Masdar Institute, two students received their PhD in interdisciplinary engineering, as the institute is now offering doctoral programmes. Most of the graduate’s research projects focus on innovative means for greener, more sustainable engineering applications in such fields as water desalination or solar energy storage.

“I believe innovation is the creation of an idea that helps to protect humanity, the world and all of its ecosystems in a more inventive way, with low risk for all parties,” claimed Shaikha Omran Al Shamsi, one of Masdar Institute’s class of 2015, with a Master’s in microsystems engineering.

“Masdar Institute has bridged the gap between government, industry and academia to foster innovation and develop a core intellectual platform, dedicated to solving issues of sustainability in an integrated way,” added Ahmed Saleh Dalaq, who, as of now, has a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Masdar Institute.

silvia@khaleejtimes.com