Nov 24, 2021

MIPT, Khalifa University and MKC for Power Solutions sign a cooperation agreement

A trilateral cooperation agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi (UAE) between the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the Emirati company MKC for Power Solutions L.L.C. (part of the holding of the MKC Group of Companies). Within the framework of the agreement, the parties plan to jointly develop effective technologies for the production, storage and use of hydrogen in energy systems, as well as the construction of a unique joint laboratory operating in a fully autonomous mode on hydrogen renewable energy sources.

The agreement was signed by Executive Director of the MIPT Institute of Arctic Technology Yuri Vasiliev, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi and CEO of MKC for Power Solutions L.L.C. Alaa Zourob.

The agreement was signed within the framework of the Intergovernmental Russian-Emirati Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation, co-chaired by Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, and HE Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates. During the meeting, the parties discussed topical issues of cooperation between Russia and the UAE.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Mikhail Ivanov and all parties to the signed agreement additionally discussed plans for cooperation in the field of clean hydrogen energy on the sidelines of the 37th International Oil Exhibition ADIPEC-2021.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology is a strategically important partner for MIPT. Included in the list of top universities in the UAE, Khalifa University carries out active research work in the field of renewable and hydrogen energy. The cutting-edge developments of MIPT, in particular, the project of the international Arctic Station Snowflake, designed on the basis of renewable energy sources and hydrogen energy, sparked great interest of the Emirati partners. It is expected that the Snowflake station may serve as a prototype for the creation of a similar joint «living laboratory» of Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi for testing and implementing environmentally friendly future technologies.

The Snowflake International Arctic Station is a fully autonomous diesel-free complex being designed in the Arctic on the basis of renewable energy sources and hydrogen fuel. The aim of the project is to test and demonstrate environmentally friendly life support technologies, as well as smart home systems, robotics, telecommunications, medicine, biotech, new materials, AI-driven solutions. «We consider it promising and engaging from a scientific and practical point of view if a similar project — the «living laboratory» of Khalifa University — is implemented in a hot climate and becomes an illustration of international scientific cooperation», said Yuri Vasiliev, Executive Director of the Institute of Arctic Technology at MIPT.

MIPT enters the Emirati market with the support of the All-Russia Public Organization Business Russia and local partners. The official representative of the Russian university and technical partner in the implementation of the project will be MKC for Power Solutions (part of the holding of MKC Group of Companies), an engineering company engaged in the implementation of turnkey energy projects.

«We consider the signing of this agreement between two leading universities of both countries — the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation — an important strategic step for the implementation of sustainable development projects. MKC for Power Solutions L.L.C. has extensive experience and competencies to bring the most daring scientific ideas to life and is honored to be a technical and production partner of MIPT», underlined the CEO of MKC for Power Solutions L.L.C. Alaa Zourob.

It should be noted that within the framework of partnership agreements, MIPT and Khalifa University also plan to conduct fundamental and applied research in the field of carbon-free transport solutions powered by electricity or hydrogen. The Universities will also be able to develop joint educational programs, hold joint conferences, seminars and other academic and scientific events.

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Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) is one of the leading Russian universities, which holds a position in the main rankings of the world's top universities. The Institute has a rich history and a great research base. There are Nobel Prize winners among MIPT’s graduates. Research at MIPT covers a wide range of areas of theoretical and experimental physics, energy and biomedicine, chemistry and applied mathematics. Thanks to the support of a number of public and private scientific and investment funds MIPT is able to carry out research at the forefront of science.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology is a research-intensive university, which encompasses three colleges, three research institutes, 18 research centers and 17 faculties covering a broad range of disciplines in science, technology, and medicine. In 2016, Khalifa University was included in the list of the best universities in the UAE, and also recognized as the youngest top university in the ranking. Khalifa University educates world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and technology, while being a catalyst for the growth of Abu Dhabi and the rapidly developing knowledge economy in the UAE.

MKC for Power Solutions L.L.C. (part of the holding of MKC Group of Companies) is an engineering company based in Abu Dhabi, whose main activity is the construction of turnkey energy facilities. The company implements innovative projects, has its own production base and an international team of highly qualified engineers and designers.