Higher Colleges of Technology Faculty of Engineering Technology & Science Newsletter
Issue #6 14 October, 2021 AY 21-22
Solar Decathlon Middle East competition (SDME 2021) is a prestigious competition in which international universities meet to design, build, and operate sustainable and high-energy efficiency grid-connected solar-powered houses. This competition will take place at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Duba, from October 24 to November 21, 2021 under the auspices of DEWA. SDME 2021 will happen in Dubai, during ESXPO 2020 activities, offering participating universities and their partners the best opportunity to be part of the most important global event of the year. These teams will exhibit the unique houses they have designed and constructed at a time when sustainability, innovation, and green energy will be in the minds of all people living in or visiting Dubai.
HCT is partnering with other universities in an international team, named "desert Phoenix." Engineering and architecture students, faculty, and staff from HCT, UofL, AUD, and AUS are designing, building, and competing with a 1000 sqft solar-powered home in the prestigious Solar Decathlon Middle East competition in Dubai.
Over the last few months, our team had a chain of meetings with the team partners, contractors, service providers, and potential donors for our project. Two professors from our project partner University of Louisville paid a visit to Dubai. They met with Dr. Aisha Abushelabai, Executive Director - Dubai Campuses, Dr. Mohanad Alata, PTL-Mechanical and Megatronicsw, and Dr. Tariq Khan, Project PI. Besides the project, both sides exchanged views on possibilities of collaboration between the two institutions. Visitors were accompanied by Dr. Ghazi Alsukkar, DAO, Dr. Mohanad Alata, Dr. Tariq Khan, and Dr. Yaser Qudaih, ELE PTL, in DBM tour and they were highly impressed by the standard of HCT labs and Innovation Center. The team visited competition site and had lengthy discussions with organizers.
Support from our management, Dr. Alex Zahavich, Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Saud Aldajah, Executive Dean - Faculty of Engineering Technology & Science, and Dr. Khaled Manasrah, Dean of Academic Affairs, is highly appreciated.
Construction has started, students and faculty are ready to start the fun in October 24th. All ETS faculty and students are welcome to participate. Our team house model is presented in SDME at EXPO 2020. See our designs, meet our people, and support the team.