UT expands presence at global energy summit

February 3, 2011 | News, UToday
By Meghan Cunningham



Members of the UT delegation that traveled to Abu Dhabi for the World Future Energy Summit included, from left, Mark Fox, Dr. Frank Calzonetti, Dr. Nagi Naganathan, C. William Fall and Chuck Lehnert.

Members of the UT delegation that traveled to Abu Dhabi for the World Future Energy Summit included, from left, Mark Fox, Dr. Frank Calzonetti, Dr. Nagi Naganathan, C. William Fall and Chuck Lehnert.

The University of Toledo’s international presence in alternative energy continues to grow, as does its exhibit at the annual World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

A delegation from the University recently returned from the United Arab Emirates, where, for the third year, UT participated in the energy summit that convenes world leaders committed to renewable energy and sustainable development. The event, sponsored by MASDAR, attracts more than 25,000 attendees and includes 500 exhibits.

“The University of Toledo is one of few U.S. institutions to make a commitment in this way to be an active participant in the World Future Energy Summit and really use this opportunity to build relationships with other leaders in the area of advanced renewable energy,” said Diane Miller, director of federal initiatives and associate director of incubation.

UT was the only U.S. university with its own booth, which was located on a main thoroughfare and received a high volume of foot traffic, Miller said.

Along with Miller, the UT delegation was Trustees William C. Fall and Linda Mansour; Dr. Frank Calzonetti, vice president for research and economic development; Chuck Lehnert, vice president for facilities and construction and interim director of the Scott Park Campus for Energy and Innovation; Dr. Nagi Naganathan, dean of the College of Engineering; and Mark Fox, patent technology associate.

Participation in the summit elevates UT’s stature as an international leader in advanced renewable energy and helps develop relationships with the MASDAR Institute of Science and Technology and Zayed University.

The summit also provides an opportunity to promote UT’s research and academic programs and recruit students, evidenced by the many potential future students vying for speaking time with Naganathan, Miller said.

Fall and Mansour recounted their trip for their colleagues on the Board of Trustees last week, and said they respected the dedication and enthusiasm for the UT staff in this area. Both said they were encouraged by the University’s growing reputation in this field.

“Being there. Our presence there is important,” Mansour told the Board of Trustees Jan. 24. “We stood out.”

The UT delegation left the World Future Energy Summit with promising prospects for collaboration and a number of students and institutions interested in graduate-level and distance education. The summit also could lead to a new UT alumni chapter in the United Arab Emirates.

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