DEWA | Research and Development Center Hosts Researcher Day

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s Research and Development Centre held a virtual  Al Baheth Day 2021 to honour young researchers who took part in Al Baheth capstone projects and internships. The R&D Centre launched this programme to develop and strengthen Emirati talents. The programme consists of four categories: Internships, Capstone projects fund, visiting researchers, seminars and workshops for DEWA’s staff, engineers, academics, and other stakeholders.

The Al Baheth Day included panel discussions by several future researchers from the UAE University; University of Sharjah and Higher Colleges of Technology. They highlighted the importance of the programme in developing their projects, experiences and skills, while accelerating sustainable development goals.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, praised the universities participating in the programme and their efforts to benefit from the R&D Centre’s facilities which are the most extensive testing facilities in the UAE for PV and issuing compliance certificates. The R&D Centre is the only Centre in the UAE that focuses on renewable energy, smart grid technologies, and energy efficiency. It operates the longest continuous testing of photovoltaic panels in the UAE in desert climate conditions. Al Tayer noted that attracting the finest researchers and academics from different nationalities contribute to exchanging the best local and global practices and experiences. This also enhances the public, private, and academic partnerships to turn Dubai into a global hub for R&D and help it become the top destination for scholars, researchers, and those shaping the future.

“The R&D Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park aligns with national strategies and plans. These include the UAE Centennial 2071, which is a long-term government plan to prepare the UAE and young Emiratis for the future; and the Dubai 10X initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which mandates the Government of Dubai to be a global leader that is 10 years ahead of all other cities. Through such strategic partnerships, the R&D Centre consolidates the Solar Park’s position as a global hub for R&D,” said Al Tayer.

 “DEWA’s R&D Centre is an ideal example of public-academic partnerships. The Centre collaborates with several academic institutions to develop joint research in renewable and alternative energy. The Centre brings together 41 researchers, including 24 PhD and master degree holders. In 2020, the Centre produced 11 conference papers and published 4 papers in journals that are all Scopus indexed, increasing the number of published papers in international scientific conferences and journals to 55. The Al Baheth programme also funded 17 research projects by local universities,” said Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA.

“I would like to congratulate participating researchers in the Al Baheth programme who are the best technical candidates sent by their universities locally and globally. I would like to highlight their efforts and collaboration with researchers at DEWA in different areas to develop projects at the R&D centre and at DEWA. I would also like to commend their serious engagement in research, competitions, training programmes and events organised by the Centre in collaboration with major international companies and an array of researchers, academics, and global speakers,” said Dr Saif Saeed Almheiri, Vice President of Research & Development at DEWA in a video speech.

The participants thanked DEWA, highlighting the importance of their participation in gaining new experiences and strengthening their skills.