Masdar Increases Student Awareness of Sustainability as Partner of Building Future Education MENA

ABU DHABI, October 16, 2011 -

Masdar to conduct three surveys among hundreds of students attending the region’s leading education exhibition

Building Future Education (BFE) MENA has appointed Masdar the Abu Dhabi-based multi-faceted renewable energy and sustainability company, as its Future Energy Partner.  In partnership with Abu Dhabi Education Council, Building Future Education MENA, takes place on the 25^th and 26^th of October 2011 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE.

The partnership seeks to increase the level of awareness of sustainability and environmental issues among students in the UAE. In addition to being one of the exhibitor’s at BFE MENA 2011, Masdar is also one of the featured presenters in the event’s Public Awareness Programme for students and teachers where it will discuss important sustainability topics including carbon footprints, climate change and renewable energy.

Masdar will conduct surveys to determine student’s current level of awareness on important sustainability and environmental issues.  The surveys target three different segments attending Building Future Education MENA: educators, high school students and junior school students in order to give a better understanding of current levels of awareness within each segment.

“Renewable energy education is a key component of Masdar’s mission and supports Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy and diversifying the energy mix.  So we are pleased to be partnering with Building Future Education MENA to bring sustainability and renewable energy issues to the fore, especially among school children,” said Aida Al Busaidy, Manager - Planning Internal and Online Communications, Masdar.  

The survey, which Masdar will conduct for the first time this year helps to establish baseline data and will form part of Masdar’s future public information and community outreach programmes.

Al Busaidy said, “We are looking forward to using the results of the survey to help develop programmes that will further raise the level of students’ interest in critical sustainability and environmental issues”.

Students taking part in the survey will have the chance to win a guided tour of Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi, a graduate level research driven university located within Masdar City.  Students will experience Masdar City first hand, furthering their education of sustainability and renewable energy through an interactive city tour.

Andrew Pert, Regional Director of UBM Middle East, organisers of the event said, “With hundreds of students attending our Public Awareness Programme, BFE MENA provides an ideal platform for various stakeholders to reach out to this important audience.  It will allow students to understand the importance of renewable energy and their potential role to become active contributors to initiatives seeking to save and preserve the environment.”

As well as an interactive exhibition floor, this year’s Building Future Education MENA will include a full free-to-attend conference including world-renowned speakers from the field of education, the public awareness programme, high-level roundtable forums and design my learning space competition.

The main conference will bring together those at the forefront of education from ministries, institutions, operators, architects and investors. The conference features in-depth panel discussions, based around specific research studies from BFE MENA’s Knowledge Partners Booz & Co, Parthenon and RAND Qatar Policy Institute (RQPI), assessing the education market in the GCC and areas of potential investment.  

The conference will also cover key topics such as world-class facilities and learning environments, curriculum and school improvement, quality assurance, special education needs and sustainable education facilities.

Visitors can register now free at www.buildingfutureeducationmena.com.  Building Future Education (BFE) MENA in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) is a free-to-attend international exhibition and conference covering educational spaces, management, reform, investment and operation of all educational institutions and programmes in the MENA region; and covers all tiers of education.

BFE MENA will have strong representation from the MENA region’s education ministries and councils including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordon and Lebanon.

Notes to the editor

About Masdar

Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted initiative advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy technologies and solutions.  The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future - developing the “greenprint” for how we live and work, tomorrow.  Backed by the stability and reputation of the Mubadala Development Company, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy.

For more information about the Masdar Initiative, please visit www.masdar.ae   

Stay connected, facebook.com/masdar.ae and Twitter.com/masdar

About Building Future Education MENA

Building Future Education (BFE) MENA in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) is a free-to-attend international exhibition and conference covering educational spaces, management, reform, investment and operation of all educational institutions and programmes in the MENA region; and covers all tiers of education.

BFE MENA attracts strong representation from the MENA region’s education ministries and councils including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Jordon and Lebanon and is organised by UBM Middle East.

Media, for all enquires including the knowledge partner reports please contact:

Anthon Garcia, press@buildingfutureeducationmena.com or +971-50-139-8661

For other marketing related enquiries:

Bryan Espie, Marketing Director, UBM Middle East, bryan.espie@ubm.com or +971-2-406-4471.

For more information on Masdar, please contact:
Name: Meray Atef
Email: press@masdar.ae
Phone: +971-2-653-6014

.