UAE national to become Masdar’s first PhD Graduate

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology yesterday announced that Faisal Al Marzooqi, UAE national PhD student, will be the first Masdar Institute Doctoral Programme Graduate at its upcoming Commencement 2015 ceremony on 26th May.

Al Marzooqi was the first Masdar Institute PhD student to successfully defend his thesis entitled ‘Interplay of membrane fabrication and nanotechnology in water desalinat', making him the first Masdar Institute PhD student to be cleared for graduation. A technology patent resulting from Al Marzooqi's thesis is now pending with the US Patents Office.

Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, said, "The graduation of Masdar Institute's first students in its PhD in its Interdisciplinary Engineering programme marks an important milestone in our efforts to develop the UAE's research and innovation ecosystem. These dedicated students have successfully reached the pinnacle of academic achievement to become highly-trained and specialised experts in critical fields. They will prove a valuable contribution to the UAE's efforts to become one of the world's most innovative nations by 2021."

Al Marzooqi focused his PhD thesis on the critical technology of desalination, inspired by the statement from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, that ‘water is more important than oil for the UAE.' Al Marzooqi said, "A major part of my PhD has been related to nanomaterials, nanotechnology and nano and micro fabrication techniques. It was such an important period in my PhD since it unlocked for me a new horizon in science and engineering, offering me a stepping stone to venture into various challenges in the scientific and engineering disciplines. This is one thing I would like to focus on further developing since it will help me in my future career as a researcher."

Al Marzooqi developed six scientific papers in the course of his thesis research. He has published a review paper, submitted a paper on the use of image analysis in membrane characterisation, in addition to drafting the final version of three other studies on the development of membrane fabrication techniques. He also has two accepted conference papers – one will be presented at the second International Conference on Desalination using Membrane Technology, Singapore, in July 2015, while the other will be offered during August-September 2015 at the International Desalination Association Conference, in San Diego, California.

For Al Marzooqi, Dr. Hassan Arafat, Associate Professor, Water and Environmental Engineering, Masdar Institute, was the thesis advisor. The research committee members included Dr. John H. Lienhard, Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Water and Food and Director, Centre for Clean Water and Clean Energy at MIT, Dr. Amal Al Ghaferi, Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, and Dr. Irfan Saadat, Professor, Microsystems Engineering, Masdar Institute.

The PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering at Masdar Institute is accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) at the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The first set of PhD students were enrolled at Masdar Institute in September 2013.
Source: WAM