Khalifa University Celebrates Achievements Of 2024 Young Future Energy Leaders Programme Graduates

Khalifa University of Science and Technology has announced the completion of the 2024 Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL) programme. Twenty-four participants received their certificates at a ceremony marking the end of their courses and projects. This initiative offers students and young professionals unique access to global leaders, business executives, and academics in clean energy and sustainability.

The 2024 YFEL cohort includes 15 male and nine female participants from six nationalities. They are affiliated with two local and eight international universities, highlighting the programme's global reach. Among them, 14 are international students residing outside the UAE, showcasing the programme's inclusive nature. These graduates join over 600 alumni who are advancing sustainability initiatives.

Professor Bayan Sharif, Provost of Khalifa University, stated, "The YFEL programme is Khalifa University's flagship outreach initiative that have consistently grown to its 15th year now, creating leaders for the future who can ensure the continuation of initiatives in sustainability and clean energy. The multifaceted aspects of the YFEL programme make it more globally appealing as can be gauged from the cross-section of nationalities that are its current and past members."

A significant event was the fourth edition of the YFEL German-Emirati Sustainability Days conference. It featured debates, panel discussions, and interactive dialogues between UAE stakeholders, German industry representatives, and YFEL members. Additionally, a case study competition focused on EV wireless charging systems' challenges resulted in 13 winners receiving exclusive training from BASF.

Participants also engaged in events like the World Future Energy Summit 2024 and COP28 UAE Summit. The programme included six projects: 'Sustainable Urban Design of Abu Dhabi Public Transportation', 'PV Panel Intelligent Fault Detection Techniques', 'Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS): Advancements, Challenges, and Future Prospects in the UAE', 'Advances in Methane Cracking for Hydrogen and Graphene Production', 'Promotion for Rooftop Solar Panels in Abu Dhabi Households', and 'Carbon Footprint Tracker'.

Participant Experiences

Emirati participant Rodha AlQubaisi from Khalifa University shared her experience: "The YFEL workshops were highly relevant and beyond my expectations. The instructors were incredibly supportive, and I gained valuable skills and built lasting connections." Similarly, Cai Zhuoang from Hong Kong Poly Technic University said, "The YFEL programme provided excellent workshops, great support from instructors, and well-organised logistics. The networking opportunities were very effective, and I achieved my learning goals."

The YFEL programme continues to nurture future leaders equipped to address sustainability challenges with innovative solutions learned through their participation.

With inputs from WAM