UAEU Future UAE Energy and Environment Leaders (FUE2L) Competition Helps Prepare Future Leaders
The first Future UAE Energy and Environment Leaders (FUE2L) Competition was organized by the College of Engineering at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) for students of Secondary School and UAEU, under the patronage of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Emirates Aluminium (EMAL). The aim of this event was to highlight the importance of energy and the environment, particularly renewable energy which is one of main priorities of the government and research centres in the UAE.
A total of 160 students from different schools across the UAE participated in the event, 8 from Abu Dhabi, 8 from Sharjah, 6 from Ras Al Khaimah, 1 from Dubai, Fujairah and Umm Al Qewain. The students were divided into 30 teams with each team appointed a supervisor. The competition consisted of two parts: Energy and Environment Projects Competition which involved creating a prototype and poster and a Car Race Competition which included 22 cars utilizing clean power source.
Prof. Reyadh Almehaideb, Dean, College of Engineering, said during the opening ceremony of the competition, "This is one of many UAEU initiatives in the field of Energy and Environmental Research which are derived from the directives of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak bin Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and UAEU Chancellor to encourage students to conduct more research and be more involved in this field. The competition implements the vision of H.H. to prepare the coming generations to become the future leaders in this field. We have a great interest in these students and their skills in engineering and research. Today, we focus on conducting eco-friendly research, inspired by the vision implemented in many projects such as Mohammad bin Rashid Gardens , Abu Dhabi Vision 2013, Green Building Initiatives as well as UAEU initiatives in this field, which is committed to research on clean and renewable energy".
"Believing that the student is the heart of the educational process, we aim through events like this, to prepare a generation of talented students who are able to excel in their engineering study and become real leaders in the area of energy and the environment. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) for sponsoring and supporting this scientific competition." Prof. Almehaideb added.
A numbers of seminars were conducted during the event in order to highlight the importance of energy and preserving the environment and also to share with the students future job opportunities in this field. It provided a great opportunity for students to determine their choice of major so that they can avail of a position in one of these pioneering industrial companies and organizations in UAE upon graduation. An external judging committee evaluated the projects and selected the winners. The winning schools were as follows: Car Race Competition; 1st place - Anas Bin Al Nadher School (Dibba Al Hosn), 2nd place - Al Hera School and 3rd place - Al Ameer Secondary School (Umm Al-Quwain), Project Competition; 1st place - Al-Raafa Secondary School (Umm Al-Quwain), 2nd Al Khaleel Bin Ahmed School (Sharjah) and 3rd place - Taween School (Fujeirah), Best Poster; Al-Jeer Secondary School (RAK) and Innovative Idea; Al Khaleel Bin Ahmed School (Sharjah).
The participating students expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm to be offered such an opportunity by UAEU to present their projects and innovations.
UAEU, College of Engineering currently offers 7 Bachelor Programs accredited by Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and US Accreditation Authority in addition to 8 Master programs and a Ph.D program which covers all specializations in Engineering.
