DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland was awarded the second place in a global award that tackles the issue of water scarcity through finding innovative solutions. The award, overseen by The UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), includes three main categories: Innovative Projects Award (Small and Large projects), Innovative Research and Development Award (National and International institutions), and the Innovative Youth Award. The Swiss university came second in the second category.
Valued at $1m, the award was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to encourage sustainable and innovative solutions to address water scarcity using solar power. The UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia) oversees the award under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).
The Swiss university participated in the award with a solar thermal water sterilisation panel to produce drinking water, a cost effective device that can filter 10 litres of drinking water in 5 hours. Its efforts were recognised with an award for the second place.
In his speech, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia, noted that, according to UNICEF, hundreds of millions of children won’t have access to clean water in the future, and that girls now spend 200 million hours a day collecting water, which affects their education. He stated that the United Nations agency has warned us that 600 million children will live in areas with severely limited water resources by 2040, putting them at risk of deadly diseases.
Dr. Endre HORVATH, Scientist from the university, said “This award would help us finalise the validation process of our water purifying solution and get endorsement from 3rd parties to market it in remote communities. We are honoured and delighted to be winners today and receive this award and we are confident of the exposure it will grant us.”
*Source: ME NewsWire
