Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), has received students and academics from the Emirates Leadership Initiative, which is one of the most prominent educational programmes to train and prepare young leaders and government officials in the UAE. It was launched by the UAE Embassy in the USA in collaboration with John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, Waleed Salman, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Dr. Yousef Ibrahim Al Akraf, Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources, Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, and DEWA officials received members of the initiative at DEWAs headquarters in Zabeel East.

Organising this visit is part of DEWAs commitment to supporting UAE citizens, improving their skills, and preparing them to become future leaders. Thats why DEWA always launches and supports educational and professional development programmes in partnership with top universities and the best academic institutions worldwide. In 2013, DEWA launched a scholarship programme for students to get a Bachelors degree in renewable energy from universities abroad. It also launched the DEWA Academy, which received the first batch of students in the school year of 2013-2014, to prepare a new generation of young Emiratis in vocational specialities. DEWA has agreements with international companies such as RWE and First Solar to train DEWA staff in Europe and the USA, exchange expertise, and learn about the latest international developments in energy, water and the environment, said Al Tayer in his welcome speech.

DEWA promotes the exchange of knowledge between its staff and their counterparts in international organisations. DEWA has lately sent a number of its engineers to Essen in Germany as the first group in a month-long comprehensive programme. It also sent students to the University of Arizona to study renewable energy. A total of 133 students have graduated from the Dubai Government Leadership Programme. These steps are part of DEWAs efforts to build the capabilities of its staff, enhance their experiences, and provide them with the opportunity to learn about the best technological solutions in their fields, added Al Tayer.

Salman discussed DEWAs key developments and strategic initiatives. He highlighted DEWAs three smart initiatives: connecting solar energy to houses and buildings, smart applications through smart meters and grids, and electric vehicle charging stations. He said that DEWAs initiatives will be a new benchmark for sustainability and smart infrastructure, placing Dubai at the forefront of global smart cities.

After the meeting, DEWA organised a tour for members of the Emirates Leadership Initiative to its Sustainable Building in Al Quoz, which is the first sustainable government building in the UAE and the largest government building in the world to receive a Platinum Rating for green buildings from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The building uses 66% less energy and reduces water consumption by as much as 48%. It uses renewable energy from an on-site 660 kW solar power plant.

At the end of the visit, the Emirates Leadership Initiative members thanked DEWA for the warm welcome and for the chance to learn about DEWAs plans and projects, especially in renewable energy. They expressed their admiration of DEWAs projects and initiatives to support the sustainable development of Dubai and push forward renewable energy in the region.