A Swiss Institute in the Emirates
The Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, or EPFL, has baptized the new campus in Ras Al Khaimah EPFL Middle East —and the first research and educational programs are in place. Wind engineering, energy studies including solar power, daylight in architecture and sustainable architecture are among the research projects in development.
“EPFL Middle East is happening,” says the campus’ dean, Franco Vigliotti. “We have outlined the first four scientific projects, hired staff here in Ras Al Khaimah and at EPFL, and have moved into temporary facilities.” The project to build a campus in the United Arab Emirates was announced last year in May in an agreement with HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi - Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah . Since then, EPFL Middle East has been created and has plans for a world-class wind tunnel. Scientific projects focusing on sustainability with EPFL School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC) and the Energy Center—with other laboratories to follow suite—have taken form. It also is offering Executive Education Classes next semester and plans are in the works for 10 PhD projects and several master projects by the end of fall. Dean Vigliotti has moved into a 1,000 square meter office space in the RAKIA Amenities Center in Ras Al Khaimah, and the architectural project for the campus, still in the design phase, will be built according to advanced energetic and ecological standards.
RESEARCH IN EPFL MIDDLE EAST
The laboratories in EPFL Middle East, funded by Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA), will have mirror laboratories working on the same themes with complementary scientific topics in EPFL Lausanne. The educational and research opportunities in the region are limitless, for the current transformation of the energy and transportation infrastructures presents an open terrain for scientific innovation.
Among the most advanced scientific projects for the new campus is the development of a large wind tunnel for research into the fields of atmospheric boundary layers, wind energy, air quality and structural wind engineering. The wind tunnel project, headed by Fernando Porté-Agel who was nominated full professor by the ENAC School at EPFL this January, will enter the pre-design phase this month and is the subject of a scientific advisory board including members from top universities in the United States, Australia, Europe, and Japan. The hundred-meter-long world-class facility will be of special scientific relevance to the region—for it will allow studies optimizing wind farm layout and wind forces on tall, irregular buildings and other man-made structures. “It will help spawn innovation and attract talented researchers from all over the world,” explains Professor Porté-Agel.
A recent addition to ENAC at EPFL will also contribute to the collaboration between the two campuses. Marilyne Anderson, EPFL doctoral graduate from the Solar Energy and Building Physics Laboratory (LE-SO-PB), is returning to teach and do research at her alma mater after founding and directing the Day-lighting Lab at MIT in the United States. According to the Dean of ENAC, Marc Parlange, Dr Anderson will play an active role elaborating the sustainable architecture program for EPFL Middle East.
EDUCATION
A specialized master’s program in energy management and sustainability is in development for EPFL Middle East under the direction of Prof. Maher Kayal, professor in electrical engineering at EPFL. Taking the evolution of higher education in a globalized world into account, the educational program will be developed around the specific domain of sustainability. A scientific education must respond to the current needs of a society, but these needs are often determined by geographical location. By establishing a specialized master, in accord with the Bologna agreement, EPFL is responding to these needs for both Switzerland and the UAE.