MI and Tokyo University sign academic cooperation agreement

Signing MoU, Dr. Junichi Hamada, President, the University of
Tokyo, and Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute.

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and the University of Tokyo, have signed an agreement for academic and research collaboration, laying the foundations for many forms of partnerships.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Junichi Hamada, President, the University of Tokyo, and Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute. The collaboration was announced during the seventh edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2014, organised in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces.

Nasser Ahmed Alsowaidi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, and Yoshihiko Kamo, Ambassador of Japan in the U.A.E. were present on the occasion.

Some areas that the agreement will lead include the exchange of faculty research staff and graduate students, implementation of joint research and joint symposia, exchange of research materials, publications, and information, as well as lectures and courses by research and academic staff.

Yoshihiko Kamo, Japan’s Ambassador in the U.A.E., said, "Japan remains keen to cooperate with the U.A.E. in the academic arena, especially through research-oriented institutions such as Masdar Institute. We welcome the agreement between the University of Tokyo and Masdar Institute and believe such partnerships will lead to knowledge creation in emerging sectors." Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh said, "We consider the cooperation agreement with the University of Tokyo as an essential tool for building Masdar Institute+s network of top international universities, especially those focused on research for knowledge sharing.

The support of the U.A.E. leadership continues to guide us in establishing effective collaborations that are designed to bring productive outcomes. We hope the agreement will help us to further enhance our contribution to the region+s human capital development." Dr. Junichi Hamada, President of the University of Tokyo, said, "Being one of the top research universities in Asia, we are keen to engage other renowned institutions that are dedicated to research in sustainability areas.

This agreement will further entrench each other+s commitment to advanced research, especially in Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences. We hope the agreement will pave way for increased knowledge exchange between the two institutions." The agreement with the University of Tokyo builds on a number of collaborations Masdar Institute has already established in Asia in general.

Some of the significant partnerships include a deal on annual summer internship programme with the Japan International Cooperation Centre (JICE) and research collaborations with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Several leading Japanese corporate entities are already partnering with Masdar Institute on the summer internship programme.