Ahmed bin Mohammed honors winners of 2nd Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award
- January 30, 2020
- Posted by: Lyn Wilson
- Category: Conferences, Environmental, Global, Technology & Innovation
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award was originally launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to encourage research institutions, individuals, and innovators from around the world to develop sustainable and innovative solutions to water scarcity that use solar power. SUQIA (The UAE Water Aid Foundation), one of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, oversees the award.
In the 2nd Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award which took place in January 2020, 10 winners were honored by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who is both the chairman of the Dubai Media Council and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation. Winners from around the globe presented innovative ideas and projects.
The award ceremony was attended by members of the UAE government departments and associations as well as, ambassadors, consuls general, public figures, officials from the public and private sectors, local and international universities and research centers, and students from national and international universities.
The 3 main categories of the award are as follows:
- Innovative Projects Award
- Innovative Research & Development Award
- Innovative Individual Award
In the Innovative Projects Award for Small Projects, the awards were as follows: First came the USA’s Give Power Foundation with the project, BLU Drop Solar Water Farm. Second place was awarded to German company Boreal Light with its Water Kiosk project and in third place came a company from the UAE, International Business Ventures with its project Platinum Heritage (PH) Source Oasis.
Khalifa University from the UAE won first place in the Innovative Research & Development Award in the National Institutions category for its low-cost desalination project using a distiller coupled with gravity solar heater.
The Innovative Individual Award for Youth was awarded jointly to Jan Radel from Germany for his Drinking Water for Malambo project; and Muhammad Wakil Shahzad for his 24/7 Solar Desalination project.
In the International Institutions category the awards were as follows: In first place came Liquinex Group from the Republic of Singapore for it compact water purification system. In second place came Plasma Waters from the Republic of Chile for their Innovation with Purpose project and in third place came Project Maji from the Republic of Ghana for their Solar Kiosks project.
In the Distinguished Researcher category the award was won by Dr. Mahmoud Shatat from Palestine for an innovative and affordable solar water desalination unit.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region said:
“The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award highlights the growing role of the UAE to help the needy, and adopting innovative and sustainable solutions to overcome humanitarian and developmental challenges. These include water scarcity, which adversely affects several communities.”
His Highness also added:
“Climate change has increased the scarcity of clean water. The award aims to find solutions, through its pillars, and encourage sustainable solutions to counter water scarcity around the world using solar energy and modern technologies.”
HE Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, and Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives said:
“The award is part of the UAE’s effort to contribute to protecting the world’s fragile water ecosystems as well as focus on a strategic approach to water security. It enhances cooperation between key stakeholders and helps to support the provision of clean and safe drinking water. The award has proven to be a tremendous success, particularly in the area of solar-powered solutions to support clean drinking water.”
In accordance with the UAE Vision 2021 which is to endeavor to make sustainable technologies and innovation part of putting an end to the global water crisis, the main objective of the award is to find sustainable and innovative solutions to global water scarcity employing solar power technologies.