Masdar Institute Associate Dean appointed Committee Chair at American Nuclear Society

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate, February 10, 2011: Masdar Institute of Science and Technology has lauded the appointment of one of its key faculty members as a committee chair at the American Nuclear Society (ANS).

Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Youssef Shatilla has been honored with the appointment of Chair of the ANS Accreditation Policy & Procedures Committee, a move welcomed by the senior administration of Masdar Institute.

“Professor Dr. Shatilla’s appointment is a testament to the strength of the professional and academic credentials of Masdar Institute’s faculty. We are proud that one of our own will be contributing to such an esteemed body as the ANS Policy & Procedures Committee in such a senior way. We wish Dr. Shatilla all the success in his appointment,” Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President of Masdar Institute said.

The ANS is a prestigious not-for-profit, international, scientific and educational organization that, since 1954, has sought to unify professional activities within the diverse fields of nuclear science and technology.  The Accreditation Policy & Procedures Committee that Dr. Shatilla will chair from June 30, 2011 is responsible for developing policy, procedures, and criteria for accreditation of nuclear, radiological and related academic programs in engineering and technology.

In announcing Dr.Shatilla’s selection ANS Vice President/President Elect Dr. Eric Loewen said: “From his current post at Masdar Institute, he brings an international academic flavor to the Committee. This will better position the Society to expand into the Middle East where nuclear engineer programs are increasing. Dr. Shatilla’s previous industrial work at Westinghouse, his work at the INL, and teaching at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology bring extensive experience and insight as both an industry person and now as a professor.”

Dr. Shatilla said his new role was complimentary to his work at Abu Dhabi’s first graduate-level research university focused on the challenges of sustainability.

“As the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Masdar Institute, I am responsible for the accreditation of the academic programs. Maintaining the highest standards of education and research through academic accreditation is at the heart of all that we do at the Institute. This is exactly what we will strive for at the Accreditation Policy & Procedures Committee,” he said.

Dr. Shatilla will be focusing his attention as Chair of the Accreditation Policy and Procedures Committee on increasing the ANS’s presence in developing the policy, procedures and criteria for accreditation of nuclear engineering academic programs across the globe.

“This is very relevant today as the world is experiencing a “nuclear renaissance” across developed and developing countries. The committee I will chair will ensure that the standards used to accredit nuclear engineering academic programs across the world are of the highest quality and relevance,” he said.

Ends

About Masdar Institute

Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) was established by the government of Abu Dhabi as a not-for-profit, private graduate university to serve as a “knowledge-hub” in the region to develop indigenous R&D capacity in Abu Dhabi addressing issues of importance to the region. Masdar Institute is committed to advancing the role of women in science, 37 per cent of its 153 students are female.

With the assistance of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that articulates its mission and vision according to critical energy and sustainability challenges. 

An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective.  This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.

Masdar Institute offers degrees in:

·         MSc Engineering Systems and Management

·         MSc Computing and Information Science

·         MSc Materials Science and Engineering

·         MSc Mechanical Engineering

·         MSc Water and Environmental Engineering

·         MSc Microsystems Engineering

·         MSc Electrical Power Engineering

·         Interdisciplinary Doctoral Degree PhD program

For more information on Masdar Institute, please visit http://www.masdar.ac.ae/