Masdar Institute Hosts Student Orientation for Fall 2016 Enrollees

Monday 29 August 2016

Abu Dhabi - MENA Herald: The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, today announced that it organized an orientation program for 172 new local and international students for the fall 2016 semester.

The three-day program, held from 22 August to 24 August 2016, provided the new students an opportunity to learn about Masdar Institute’s academic and campus offerings. UAE satellite operator Yahsat was also on hand to promote Masdar Institute’s Master’s Concentration in Advanced Space Systems and Technology. Yahsat is a sponsor of the concentration and provides expertise for its CubeSat miniature satellite development program.

This year 172 new students -- 118 UAE National and 54 international students representing 23 countries -- have accepted the offer to attend Masdar Institute. This brings the institute’s expected total enrollment to 468 students, increasing the expected percentage of UAE Nationals attending the Institute from 43% in 2015-2016 to approximately 50% in 2016-2017

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, welcomed the new students in Masdar Institute’s nine master’s and interdisciplinary doctoral program.

Dr. Abdullah Al Hefeiti, Acting Dean of Students and Dean of Library, addressed the new students at the event, and said: “By enrolling with Masdar Institute you are contributing to not only your own bright future, but a brighter and more sustainable future for all. I urge you to make the most of your time with us through studies, research, and community activities.”

Other Masdar Institute senior management, including Vice President for Research and Interim Associate Provost Dr. Steve Griffiths, and Dean of Academic Programs Dr. Youssef Shatilla,
gave the students an insight into the functions and services provided by their various offices.

The Student Affairs Office, which organized the event, discussed campus life, extracurricular activities, a newly-opened athletics office, and other aspects of student life. The Research Development Office and Technology Transfer Office also presented information on invention, innovation and development at Masdar Institute. This year Masdar Institute’s four academic departments joined the orientation program to present an overview of their degree offerings and research themes, which culminated with an open question and answer panel session.

The new student entrants were also informed about internship opportunities, the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) Program, the Ambassadors Program, and other personal and intellectual development offerings available to them. Six UAE national students also presented about their internship experiences in Japan and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Masdar Institute orientation program is held twice a year to welcome and inform new students about their new home and how best they can take advantage of their institute experience. The three-day program closed with placement exams for the students, to determine their classes for the coming year.

Masdar Institute offers full scholarships to admitted students who come with high academic credentials. The institution’s academic programs and research offerings respond to the needs of the UAE, the region and the wider global community.

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