Trip to Abu Dhabi as Young Future Energy Leader

The EPA programme looks at the Grand Challenges of our generation; for example food distribution, healthcare, global warming, terrorism and global sustainability. To cover these grand challenges our students end up all over the world. Our first year student Sabine Kerssens just returned from her trip to the United Arab Emirates.

Every year Abu Dhabi hosts a grand sustainability week, with as main event the World Future Energy Summit (WFES). Over 30.000 people from 180 different countries visit this event, including leaders such as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates armed forces and the inventor of LED lighting. A good atmosphere for people involved in EPA to share their expertise. This week has the goal to connect leading figures in the field of energy to work together towards a brighter and more sustainable future.

Sabine describes the week to be most exciting. Worldwide initiatives are being shared, new plans are developed and start-ups are born. For our EPA student this week started at the Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi. The founder of the UAE, and his search for sustainable energy provision, built the UAE to withstand the time. The Masdar institute is a leading party in sustainable technological development. Since 2016 self-driving vehicles are used to transport visitors from remote parking spaces to their destination. Their knowledge and expertise is found all over the UAE and is especially observable during the WFES.

To stimulate the educational growth in sustainability knowledge, Masdar invites ten international students or young professionals every year to join the Emirati as young future energy leaders. The program includes participants from all over the world, from Egypt to Moscow and even at MIT. For our EPA students, the possibility to engage in this event is very promising. It can really bring to life the lecture materials. The faculty encourages ambitious students to find connections with these new cultures and perspectives.

Sabine was one of the ten international students that were chosen as a Young Future Energy Leader to join this event. During the event Sabine visited several presentations, debates and exhibitions and had a little free time left to go sightseeing. Sabine: ”It was a great experience to be part of this group of people that are all interested in making the world more sustainable. I learned a lot from the Emirati and spoke to many participants about the developments in the field of energy. I noticed that more and more woman are being involved in the decision making and innovation of sustainable energy and that makes me very proud. Together with the other Young Future Energy Leaders I had an unforgettable time and hope to be joining an event like this again someday.”