The Masdar Initiative has established the Board of Trustees for Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Mist).

The private and independent institute will be the Middle East’s first graduate education and research university focused on developing the next generation of solutions to the world’s growing dependence on fossil fuels, the institute said in a statement.

Mist board will be chaired by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Twelve additional board members and Prince Charles of Wales will serve as a patron of Mist, it added

Mist lies at the core of Masdar’s effort to develop the scientific and human resources required for the new clean technology sector to thrive. As such, it has established a Board of internationally respected academics and leaders from civil society and government to guide the development of the institute, Masdar said.

“Mist will be the heart of the Masdar Initiative, feeding talent and innovative solutions to our other programs. The sustainable technologies that come out of Mist will change the way we meet the world’s energy demand,” said Masdar chief executive officer Dr Sultan Al Jaber.

“Mist will be an essential driver to our goal of expanding sustainable human capacity building and will be just one way Abu Dhabi will become the global knowledge hub for innovation in future energy.”

Mist is the first phase of development within Masdar City, the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city, powered entirely by renewable energy.

Beginning in September 2009, Mist will offer full-time, two-year master of science programs, requiring prescribed coursework and a research based thesis, in engineering systems and management, information technology, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering and water and environment.

Mist will begin offering PhD degrees in 2011. There are currently 14 Mist faculty members at MIT, and 100 students expected in the 2009 entering class.

“Mist is an exciting project that will shape the future of research in sustainable and renewable energies. We are proud to have assembled a dynamic and talented Board of Trustees of international caliber to oversee its growth,” said Mist president Dr Russel C Jones. – TradeArabia News Service