Two Masdar Institute students depart for Antarctica Expedition

Abu Dhabi, Feb 29, 2012 (WAM) - Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, yesterday announced that two of its students have departed on an expedition to Antarctica. The expedition is a part of the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) program, a Masdar Institute outreach initiative that aims to inspire, educate and empower energy leaders of tomorrow. The students Reem Al Junaibi and Maitha Al Kaabi will reach at Ushuaia in Argentina and board the Sea Spirit on 1 March with members of polar explorer Sir Robert Swan's International Antarctic Expedition (IAE) 2012 team for a voyage to the southern continent. The expedition will traverse through Chilean territories on Antarctica including Cape Horn, Drake Channel, King George Island and South Shetlands. During the journey, the students will participate in the 2041 Education Base (E-Base) Goes Live' mission by utilising the knowledge they gained at Masdar Institute. The E-Base, powered solely by renewable energy, is intended to educate young people on the importance of preserving Antarctica, to promote the use of renewable energy, and to raise the awareness of global warming. They will also experience Leadership on the Edge', Sir Robert Swan's personal leadership and sustainability program. Al Junaibi will be applying the planning and forecasting tools she learned from Masdar Institute in Antarctica to help improve the reliability of renewable energy. Al Kaabi will conduct research on the process of temperature-induced salt precipitation, a key principle in her research, in a natural environment. In the dynamic classroom of the Antarctica, guest experts will host presentations, debates, and lessons on environment, climate change, sustainable development, and outdoor leadership. After completing their expedition, they will return to Ushuaia on 12 March to board their flights home. The two students will reach Abu Dhabi on 16 March.Later, they will share their experience in sustainable living and use of renewable energy with students and faculty of Masdar Institute as well as the wider community in the UAE.- Emirates News Agency, WAM