Clean Energy Apps, Renewable Green Leaders magazine, June 2019

JUNE 2019

There’s an

App for That NEWS

Lightsource BP Builds Largest PV Project in India with 200,000 High-Efficiency Monocrystalline Modules supplied by LONGi Solar

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Breaking New Ground in Electricity Marketing: VSB and Mercedes-Benz Enter Into Long-Term Supply Contract for Wind-Generated Electricity

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Cepsa and Masdar Focus Their Collaboration on Renewables in Spain and Portugal

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EDITOR‘S NOTE

M

obile apps are certainly big hits in this millennium. Go to your app store and you can find a multitude of apps that are made for nearly anything you can think of. Social media, hotel bookings, flight bookings.

Name it and you will surely find tons of it in the internet. With this kind of prevalent use, what better way to make use of this trend than making it a social platform for renewable energy awareness. Technologies in these energy sources are paving its way to eradicate our current dependency on the fast-depleting fossil fuels. And thanks to the widespread use of mobile apps, may it be free or paid, the “switch to renewable energy� movement is reaching tens and that solar panel installations thousands of people across are done by the book. the globe.

Meanwhile, Project Sunroof and Mapdwell suit private But the apps are not only for homeowners and consumers and private organizations that will make households, but they are also use of solar energy simply to available for investors and power up their homes and potential and existing buildings. The apps estimates businesses. Among the best for them the technical details renewable energy apps needed if they were to switch distributed nowadays, six of into solar power for personal them stand out. consumption.

Mobile Apps for Renewable Companies: Engagement, Effective and Efficient

Global Atlas Pocket and Solar Checklist are both made for potential investors and current businesses. While the former provides detailed information for suitable renewable energy business in a certain location, the former is made to ensure 4

Windspire Me and Windfarm Locator are both used to track wind turbines. Windspire Me, which estimates the CO2 conservation a Windspire wind turbine can do, encourages people to convert into wind power. On the other hand,

Windfarm Locator gives you various details about windfarms both near and around the world.

Regional Office: LG Electronics Gulf FZE, P.O Box 61445, Dubai. Tel: +971 4 279 9222, UAE, Mr. Amjad Abu Alika, Tel: +971 50 450 9808, email: amjad.abualika@lge.com; Fortune International Trading LLC, Mr. Wail Halbouni, Tel: +971 50 481 3570, email: fortintl@emirates.net.ae; Ghantoot Trading, Mr. Nour Haboush, Tel: +971 50 109 4109, email: nour.h@ghantootgroup.ae; District Cooling Company, Mr. Ahmed Henedi, Tel: +971 50 658 4832, email: ahmed@districtcoolingcompany.com; Al Yousuf Electronics, Mr. Moitra, Tel: +971 50 457 6170, email: pmoitra@alyousuf.com; Bahrain, AJM Kooheji and Sons, Mr. Jayachandran, Tel: +973 36888801, email: v.jayachandran@ajmkooheji.com: Al Babtain Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Co., Mr. Naji Kataya, Tel: +965 5 051 5771, email: nkataya@albabtaingroup.com,kw; BLK, Mr. Imad Rhayel, Tel: +965 5 157 1229, email: irhayel@blk.com.kw; Oman, Oman Gulf Enterprise, Mr. Narender Kumar, Tel: +968 9 747 4505, email: narenderk@otegroup.com; Aspire Projects and Service, Mr. Vivek Wagh, Tel: +968 99357694, email: vivekwagh@aspireoman.com; Azerbaijan, NBC LLC., Mr. Elkhan Sadikhov, Tel: +994 50 216 3363, email: elkhan.sadikhov@nbc.com; Al-Con Maxiwell Group, Mr. Vagif Alexperov, Tel: + 994 50 216 2092, email: maxiwellbaku@inbox.ru; Armenia/Georgia, ARAY Gulf, Mr. Vilson Melikjanyan, Tel: +374 9 307 7755, email: vilson@aray.am; Yemen, Modern House Exhibition, Mr. Khaled Jabr, Tel: +967 71 172 0202, email: mail@mhe-yemen.com; Pakistan, Iceberg Industries (Lucky Goldstar), Mr. Imran Jamil Khan, Tel: +923 21 277 6100, email: ceo@icebergindustries.net

CON TENTS

NEWS

F E AT U R E S T O RY

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Top 6 Must-Download Renewable Energy Apps

Why undertaking an MBA at American University of Sharjah could be the best decision you make for your engineering career

30 Lightsource BP Builds Largest PV Project in India with 200,000 HighEfficiency Monocrystalline Modules supplied by LONGi Solar

44

Oscillating Axle is a Valuable Feature on Rough Terrain

48

34

How to Conduct an Open House Day for Access Platforms Clients? Manlift Group Marketing Tips

Breaking New Ground in Electricity Marketing: VSB and Mercedes-Benz Enter Into Long-Term Supply Contract for Wind-Generated Electricity

52

36 Cepsa and Masdar Focus Their Collaboration on Renewables in Spain and Portugal 6

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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

This Might Be the Best Wall Mounted Aircon in the Philippines With the growing range of choices for split-type aircon in the market, here are a few justifiable reasons why this might be the best split type aircon yet.

B

uying an air conditioning unit can be a very confusing task.

Considering the handful of types and sizes of aircon available in the market, choosing which one is the most appropriate for your homes and establishments can be quite puzzling. Honestly, there are quite a few factors to keep in mind before purchasing an aircon, so to make the decision more of an ease and less of a hassle, here are a few reasons why TOSOT LOMO A5 Series Inverter might be the perfect wall mounted air-conditioner for you.

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What is a Split-type Aircon?

A split-type aircon is a type of central air-conditioning system.

Split-type air-conditioning units are composed of two major peripherals: a relatively large compressor or condenser typically placed outside the home and an air-handling unit placed inside. The two units are linked via a conduit which keeps the suction tubing, refrigerant tubing, condensate drain, and power cable together. The compressor is ideally placed outdoors since it can be quite noisy and hot when operating.

General Benefits of Wall Mounted (Split-type)

•More Appealing

Compared to a window-type aircon, TOSOT wall mounted aircon is more pleasant to the eyes and adds to the aesthetics of the entire room.

•Well-Insulated Split-type aircons are also well-insulated than the regular window-type AC which has poor insulation. Better insulation means greater energy efficiency.

But among the multitude of aircon types one can see in the nearby appliance store, why choose a split-type?

• Permanent Cooling

While split-type AC requires some minor construction and professional installation that can somewhat be a hassle for the homeowners and the contractors, choosing this kind of air-conditioning unit is more of an advantage rather than a burden. The Philippines is sunny and humid most of the year and requires that homes and establishments are cool and comfortable almost every day. So having permanent cooling equipment available for use is such a great convenience during these times.

• Less Intrusion

The TOSOT LOMO A5 Series Inverter aircon, built to be compact and stylish, is wall mounted and frees your windows. You don’t need to block any openings with window-type ACs so you can enjoy the warm summer sunlight filling your home. The floor area is also not covered with bulky portable air coolers.

Furthermore, it produces more subtle sounds compared to the other types, making it a better choice for a home and establishment aircon.

Features to Look Out For in the Split-type (Wall Mounted) Aircon •Earth-friendly

•Remote and Wired Furnished with an all-new refrig- Control erant called R32, TOSOT LOMO A5 Series Inverter aircon is both energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

•Precise Temperature Control

In buying the perfect aircon for your home, one thing to consider is the capability of the unit to output precise temperature control just like the TOSOT LOMO A5 aircon.

Since the unit is basically installed a few feet up on the wall, it is convenient and flexible for the user to control the aircon from anywhere within the line of sight of the unit. There is also a wired control if ever your remote is out of batteries.

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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

Features to Look Out For in the Split-type (Wall Mounted) Aircon Before buying a split-type aircon for your homes, it is best to determine the dimensions of the room where you want your aircon to be installed. Ideally, large rooms with more than 40 square meters will require a minimum output capacity of 10,000 BTU/hour, while for medium-sized rooms, about 9,000 BTU/hour is already enough.

Good thing the TOSOT LOMO A5 Series aircons’ output capacity has a wide range from 9000 BTU/hour to 17000 BTU/ hour. The TWC09VRE which has a capacity of 9000 BTU/hour is best for rooms with floor areas from 32 to 37 square meters.

The TWC12VRE, on the other hand, fits rooms up to 51 square meters. The biggest unit in the series, the TWC18VRE can cool rooms with floor areas about 90 square meters.

Another factor to consider is buying an inverter-type aircon, like the TOSOT LOMO A5 Series. In regular ACs, the compressor turns on or off depending on the room’s temperature, but in inverter types, the compressor is always on but consumes varying amounts of power depending on the temperature. This is certain10

ly less energy-consuming since the compressor does not always operate at its maximum capacity.

This also lengthens its life span as the load is lesser compared to the regular ones. The inverter-type may be a bit more expensive, but the investment is sure worth it in the long run. Inverter ACs reduce energy costs by up to 50 percent, cutting back on your monthly electricity bills.

To find out the best wall mounted air conditioner for your home,

office or party event venue, visit TOSOT showroom located at 2162 FB Harrison St., San Jose, Pasay City, Philippines or call +632-8330000 to book an appointment. You may also visit their website (click here) to get more information about the best split type aircon in the Philippines.

S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

AUS’ Fulbright Scholar conducts research in Tianjin, China Sharjah, UAE. May 13, 2019—Associate Professor of Architecture at American University of Sharjah (AUS) Marcus Farr is currently pursuing research in China as a Fulbright Scholar. One of the world’s most prestigious and competitive fellowship programs, the Fulbright Schol12

ar Program has provided funding for qualified recipients to study, conduct research, teach or exercise their talents abroad. Fulbright recipients have included scores of Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winners.

As part of the program, Farr

is undertaking research and teaching at Tianjin University Graduate School of Architecture. Farr is studying ancient Chinese architectural and building traditions, examining how these historical methods could help today’s architects find solutions to China’s unprecedented urban

growth, and creation of what have been termed “mega cities.” Farr’s work is of much relevance in both China and globally, as new approaches to construction and urban planning are necessary for allowing large populations to live comfortably within geographically limited spaces.

As environmental considerations become an increasing concern for governments around the world, Farr’s research into historical techniques could help to foster more environmentally sustainable practices in the present day.

He is currently examining the buildings of foreign concessions in Tianjin dating from the 1600s, exploring how the architecture of these buildings could hold clues for modern buildings in the city, and further afield.

Founded in 1946 by US Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Program is part of the United States government’s public diplomacy agenda, helping to improve intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy and intercultural competence between the people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills. Since his arrival in China, Farr has therefore been joining his Fulbright counterparts in gaining an in-depth understanding of Chinese

history and culture, travelling to the southwestern city of Dali to see relics of China’s history first-hand. The group of scholars has also spent time with the United States Ambassador to China, the United States Consul General to China, and other high-ranking diplomats, gaining an appreciation of their role as Fulbright scholars in representing the United States government.

population growth.”

AUS is chronicling Farr’s Fulbright journey through regular posts on the AUS Blog.

The latest installment in this series can be read here: www. aus.edu/fulbright-research.

Under the program, Farr has also begun teaching a group of graduate architecture students at Tianjin University.

He says of the importance of this cross-cultural experience: “Successful architects need to understand their practice from a global perspective and consider how international influences can potentially benefit the form and function of their work. The Fulbright Program allows me to learn from the Chinese experience of urbanization and the solutions created as a result.

It also allows my students to gain new perspectives from my background as an architect and academic in the United States, the Middle East and other parts of Asia. This cultural exchange is valuable in the professional development of architects, and is also hugely important in the creation of architectural solutions that meet current challenges, such as climate change and rapid 13

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Apps that will help you save money and start up a new business all while you are saving our beloved Mother Earth

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COVER STORY It has been quite some time now ever since humans opened their doors to the Earth-friendly concept of renewable energy. With the disturbing depletion of the world’s supply of fossil fuels, opting to use the sun, the wind, the geothermal, and other renewable energies has been one of technology’s greatest breakthroughs. Little by little, more households and

corporations are starting to convert to these clean energy sources. And with the rise of innovations in renewable energy comes the rise of mobile applications that are beneficial to both the customers and the energy companies. Here are six of the most helpful apps you ought to install in your mobile devices.

1. Global Atlas Pocket Considered as the “only global tool of its kind”, this app developed by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has been helping hundreds and thousands of renewable energy investors ever since its launch in 2015.

Basically, what Global Atlas Pocket does is providing a comprehensive calculation of possible investment opportunities in solar, geothermal, wind, bioenergy, hydropower, and ocean energy in a certain location.

Extracting data from 1,000 maps provided by 50 data centers in no less than 60 world governments, the app provides users with the best hotspots for particular kinds of renewable energy and how viable that location is in producing said energy source.

With the massive information this app has to offer, more investors are encouraged to venture into the renewable energy business, making the world’s energy supply greater and more Earth-friendly.

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COVER STORY 2. Windspire Me Solely dedicated to Windspire wind turbines, Winspire Me can measure the wind speeds produced by these turbines with just one tap on your smartphones. Simply hold your mobiles up in the air with the microphone facing the wind, and let the app do its magic.

It even gives you the option to post the wind speed on a map and share it with everybody.

Aside from wind speed, the

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app also gives users an estimated of the power production of the turbines and the amount of carbon dioxide these can save.

Although Windspire Me is just a creative tool for Windspire, it makes the public generally aware of how wind energy can greatly impact the environment.

3. Solar Checklist As obvious as its name, Solar Checklist is a checklist for solar panel installers and businesses to make sure their job is documented properly and done according to standards. The app features a detailed procedure to solar panel installation, updated technical help, integrated barcode scanner, and options to link photos. Solar Checklist can greatly help businesses

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to monitor the job done and make sure everything is of the highest quality. Better energy production comes from installations that meet, if not exceed, expected standards.

4. Project Sunroof Project Sunroof is a nifty app for homeowners that encourages them to install solar panels on their roofs.

This can help them be aware of the amount of solar power they can produce if they would opt to convert to solar energy.

Aside from that, the app calculates how much they can cut off from their electricity bill with this simple life-changing decision. Just like that! With its advanced 3D modeling feature, it is able to compute how many solar panels your roof can accommodate, the sun’s position throughout the year and provide detailed considerations on the cloud cover and temperature in the specific neighborhood.

Having a current analyzing power of about 43 million rooftops, thousands of possible customers are just a few clicks away from getting their own rooftops evaluated for solar suitability.

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Although Windspire Me is just a creative tool for Windspire, it makes the public generally aware of how wind energy can greatly impact the environment.

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COVER STORY

5. Mapdwell Somewhat similar to Project Sunroof, Mapdwell, developed by MIT researchers, also provides an estimate of a city’s solar power capability by analyzing each rooftop. Simply enter a specific address and the app will give you an installation cost estimate, how long (in years) will you earn back this cost, how much carbon offset can be produced with this installation, and some details on the ideal panel tilt and the number of panels a roof can accommodate. It has greatly expanded its services both in Chile and in the US, analyzing a handful of cities and major metro areas.

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WE CREATE THE INNOVATORS, LEADERS & THINKERS OF TOMORROW

For over 20 years, American University of Sharjah (AUS) has been at the helm of the region’s intellectual, cultural and scientific development.

As we enter our third decade, we are renewing our commitment to providing outstanding undergraduate and graduate education, and embarking on a new era of pioneering research.

27 bachelor’s programs | 14 master’s programs | 4 research institutes | 3 research centers Executive Education | PhD in Engineering Systems Management

Learn more:

www.aus.edu/cen AUS has been ranked in the world's top 50 universities under 50 years of age.

AUS has the highest percentage of international students of any ranked university in the world.

COVER STORY

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6. Windfarm Locator With an iPhone or iPad, you can now locate any windfarm nearby or even across the globe. It provides real-time information on the wind power any wind turbine generates and the model and number of turbines in the wind farm. Each wind farm in the app varies in color according to their sizes.

One neat detail this app offers is an estimate of a specific windfarm’s energy production within a year and the number of houses this generated power can power.

-end-

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NEWS

Lightsource BP Builds Largest PV Project in India with 200,000 High-Efficiency Monocrystalline Modules supplied by LONGi Solar Lightsource BP announces the completion of its first utility PV project in India. The project, built on 240-acre in Maharashtra in central India deploys 200,000 high-efficiency monocrystalline modules supplied by LONGi Solar. The project is the largest and the first of the tenders that Lightsource BP has secured with the Solar Energy Corporation India (SECI). Its completion is an 30

important milestone for Lightsource BP. Nick Boyle, CEO of Lightsource BP, said, “We want to support the development of public utilities in India with efficient clean energy sub-products and technologies.

When officially grid-connected, the project will provide clean electricity to about 20,000 households in Maharashtra,

greatly improving local lifestyle.�

With continuous innovations in high-efficiency, high-reliability and high-yield PV products and best LCOE solutions, LONGi Solar has gained recognition worldwide with reliable products and guaranteed performance. As a global leading monocrystalline module manufacturer, LONGi Solar will accelerate the application of high-efficiency PV products and make continuous

efforts towards green production and advancing grid parity.

Lightsource BP was formed after British oil giant BP acquired Europe’s largest solar developer Lightsource. The company is dedicated to building solar projects in the United States, India, Europe and the Middle East with plans to deploy more than 8 GW solar capacity globally in the next 5 years.

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NEWS

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NEWS

Breaking New Ground in Electricity Marketing: VSB and Mercedes-Benz Enter Into Long-Term Supply Contract for Wind-Generated Electricity Project developer VSB helps Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Poland pave the way towards carbon-neutral manufacturing with a strategic investment: For the first time, the automaker will power an engine plant using electricity from renewable energy sources only. Bringing together the industrial sector and the wind energy sector, the long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) is the first of its kind in Poland. The agreement allows VSB to expand its operations and 34

assume a pioneering role in the Polish energy market.

The new Mercedes-Benz manufacturing site in the Polish town of Jawor will not only raise the bar with state-of-the-art manufacturing methods and Industry 4.0 technologies, but set new power supply standards as well. As of 2019, Taczalin wind farm, which is located around 10 km from the plant, will supply green energy for the entire high-tech facility.

The 22 wind turbines were commissioned in late 2013 and have a combined installed capacity of 45.1 MW. VSB Group developed the wind farm and operates it as well.

“In choosing locallygenerated electricity from renewable sources, Mercedes-Benz has assumed the role of an international pioneer in the automotive industry. We appreciate this opportunity to assist Mercedes-Benz on their path to carbon-neutral manufacturing,” says VSB Managing Director Marko Lieske.

The manufacturing site will produce four-cylinder engines for Mercedes-Benz cars. The automaker is able to choose wind-generated electricity

to power its plant thanks to Poland’s renewable energy scheme. The scheme permits suppliers to offer their electricity on the market or sell it as part of a PPA. PPAs are becoming an increasingly popular marketing tool for suppliers of wind-generated power in Europe and around the world. Suppliers enter into these agreements with major power consumers to coordinate a long-term purchase of electricity at a contractually agreed fixed rate. That way, consumers are able to protect themselves against rising electricity rates, while suppliers of green energy can rely on stable revenue that facilitates more reliable budgeting. “Our job as project developer far exceeds putting a wind turbine in a field. We

develop business models that make energy from renewable sources attractive for high-volume consumers and customers from the industrial sector. Our collaboration with Mercedes-Benz is a milestone for both the wind energy sector and the automotive sector,” explains Marko Lieske.

Michael Graf from Daimler International Procurement Services, Procurement of Energy and Fuels, is pleased with the agreement as well: “Our partnership with VSB offers multiple advantages, both economically and ecologically. Daimler also recognises the added value that the wind farm’s proximity to the Jawor engine plant represents.”

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NEWS

Cepsa and Masdar Focus Their Collaboration on Renewables in Spain and Portugal The agreement sets the guidelines to grow the portfolios of both companies in wind energy and solar PV Cepsa and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) have strengthened their collaboration in renewables by today signing a Partnership Agreement at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, one of the world’s largest gatherings on sustainability that is currently being held in the UAE capital.

After signing a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) in 2017, 36

this new agreement aims to grow the renewables portfolio of both companies. The focus will be on proven clean technologies, wind and solar PV (photovoltaic), in Spain and Portugal, where Cepsa is interested in establishing a capacity of 500-600 MW in the next five years.

The collaboration builds on the energy expertise of both companies, which are wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, and reflects their efforts to leverage synergies across Mubadala’s diverse busi-

NEWS

ness portfolio to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in international markets.

Attending the signing ceremony, Pedro Miró, Cepsa’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “After the initial phase of screening market access opportunities in several geographies, we have agreed Iberia to be the initial focus for our joint growth strategy. This step will allow us to combine synergies and expertise in one of the leading renewable markets in the world.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: “Masdar has a long-standing presence and growing portfolio of renewable energy projects in Europe. We’re delighted to see our collaboration with Cepsa gather momentum and look forward to pooling our expertise and project development track record to explore further commercial opportunities in the Iberian Peninsula in both solar and wind.”

The agreement strengthens Cepsa’s diversified energy model and long-term strategy, and is in line with the forecasts outlined in the Cepsa Energy Outlook 2030 report. In 2017, Cepsa acquired the rights to develop its first wind farm in Jerez de la Frontera, in Spain’s southern province of Cadiz. The company has led the

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project through its development and construction phases and is targeting completion in the first quarter of 2019.

Masdar is a global leader in both solar and wind energy with a presence in more than 25 countries. The electricity generating capacity of these projects, which are either fully operational or under development, is nearly 4 gigawatts (GW) gross.

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

Why undertaking an MBA at American University of Sharjah could be the best decision you make for your engineering career

Are you an engineer with aspirations to secure a management position, or start your own business? Have you considered how a Master of Business Administration (MBA) might help you realize these goals?

An undergraduate engineering degree provides essential technical knowledge for entry-level engineering positions, and for the first few years in an engineer’s career. However, as engineers ascend in their orga40

nization, their time is often less focused on technical problems, and more toward solving business challenges. As engineers are promoted, they often encounter the challenge of managing people and teams, and are required to oversee budgets and timelines.

For many engineers, undertaking an MBA allows them to navigate these challenges with confidence, and prove to their peers and leaders that they have not only excellent technical skills, but also

the capacity to strategically evaluate business problems and lead change. The MBA offered by the School of Business Administration (SBA) at American University of Sharjah (AUS) has long been a popular choice for ambitious engineers in the region, helping them to scale the heights of their profession, and, in some cases, successfully launch their own businesses and achieve financial success.

The AUS MBA is one of the region’s most highly regarded.

SBA has been ranked by U.S. News as being the region’s number one business school. It is also one of the region’s few

business schools to have achieved accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

Of the 15,000 business schools worldwide, only 760 have been accredited by AACSB, demonstrating the standard of learning provided at SBA. Such accolades give engineers undertaking an MBA through AUS confidence that their degree will be recognized and respected throughout their future careers, whether in the Middle East or further afield.

The structure and flexibility of AUS’ MBA allows engineers to 41

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

undertake the program while also successfully meeting the demands of their employers.

The program has been designed to permit professionals who are busy with their career and family obligations to balance their commitments. The program’s courses are taught during weekday evenings, and students can take as little as 15 months or as long as five years to complete the MBA. A wide selection of course electives also allows MBA students to tailor the program to their career or industry needs.

For many of AUS’ MBA students, 42

it is the experience and real-world understanding of SBA’s faculty that makes their experience so valuable. They represent 34 countries of origin, and have earned PhDs in their respective business disciplines from AACSB-accredited, predominantly North American, universities. Their understanding of the regional and global business environment offers SBA students precious insight, and prepares them well for the challenges and opportunities that await them as they advance through their careers.

In addition, the learning and sharing of ideas and experiences among the MBA student body is invaluable. Our students come from a wide range of academic and ethnic backgrounds, as well as industry experiences, providing valuable insights and connections within the AUS MBA student and alumni network.

Kevin Rose Dias, who completed a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at AUS and who is now undertaking his MBA at AUS, says:

“During my time as a candidate for the Master in Business Administration (MBA) at the American University of Sharjah, I have been involved in extensive academic and research work contributing to the program and my profession. My professional journey as a data analyst in business intelligence and marketing analytics is complemented by my MBA studies and academic research paths I have undertaken. The leadership, decision-making and innovation attitude fostered through the MBA program has also enabled me to contribute

back to the community, reflected by my being a guest speaker at various university/public events and my various published research work. The MBA studies have definitely complemented my engineering undergraduate degree, building on my design-thinking mentality and giving me considerably more scope for accelerated growth in my chosen career path.�

To learn more about the AUS MBA, visit: www.aus.edu/sba.

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MIDDLE EAST NEWS

Oscillating Axle is a Valuable Feature on Rough Terrain Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) often integrated into scissor lifts and boom lifts

When using an oscillating axle system, the two sides of the axle can pivot in response to flooring surface on which they operate so that all wheels remain on the ground when the equipment is on the move, but lock into place when the boom is elevated, to ensure stability. This means greater safety when operating the boom, and a smoother ride

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and greater operator control (and confidence) when moving the equipment. The system also reduces the risk that the AWP will get stuck, because the wheels are always in contact with the ground so they can always be used to propel the equipment over the terrain.

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

Not all AWPs are fitted with the feature, as it requires a more complex mechanical system with more hydraulics and more electronics. Nonetheless over the years, oscillating axles have been offered as a standard feature on more and more AWPs produced by most of the leading manufacturers.

Normally, if the platform is in the air, the oscillating axle feature is disabled. The reason is that the stability is reduced. Indeed, if ever there is any sort of equipment malfunction, one of the checks that we at Manlift run is to ensure that the oscillating axle system does automatically lock during operation and is only functional when the platform is in transport position.

However, an interesting variation is the active oscillating axle offer

by Genie. This system has the additional benefit of being able to drive the AWP even when the boom is elevated and while the axle is oscillating. This brings with it improved maneuverability over slightly uneven ground even when the access platform is elevated.

The various usages and benefits of oscillating axle were discussed during IPAF trainings to give operators a full understanding of how this important feature works and how to use it to best advantage.

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A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S

How to Conduct an Open House Day for Access Platforms Clients? Manlift Group Marketing Tips The key focus of Manlift’s open house day is the demonstration of the Manlift Way Having an open house day will allow us to build a foundation of trust with new and existing customers who are working in any industry that utilizes aerial work platforms. This delivery of the best customer experience is an important part of our mission and vision at Manlift as well as give our customers the chance to learn about our new value solutions that help them achieve the highest level of safety and efficiency.

The key focus of Manlift’s open house day is the demonstration of the Manlift Way. As the heartbeat of our company, the Manlift Way aims to showcase the latest improvements and advancements in our processes and services 48

while giving added values to our (potential) customers.

Additionally, such an event is a great reason for everyone to have look around, chat with our key account managers, or other stakeholders and experience the culture of Manlift.

360 degree Task Force Team Preparation is the key!

As with any event, organizing an open house day requires COOPERATION. It works only if everyone is willingly giving time and effort to the project and bringing their differing skills to the table.

Being systematic and having a proper agenda and action reg-

ister will help to not only gain an overview on all the steps that need to be taken, but also to not forget any important aspects: Defining next the project owner who drives and leads the project, coordinates with different team members and supports the team when needed is crucial.

Defining next the project owner who drives and leads the project, coordinates with different team members and supports the team when needed is crucial.

At Manlift, “The Manlift Way champion” makes sure to grant the best yard layout, promoting great visual experience, and an excellent flow to facilitate a “walk

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A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S through� the depot rental cycle, incl. the explanation of our depot bays. In fact, for each depot cell, we allocate a team member to share key criterias of the respective bay station.

Prior to the event, the workshop manager, yard controller and safety representative conduct the 6S internally and externally.

They prepare the visual signages, re-paint mark cell boundaries if necessary and carry out a depot risk assessment. We also suggest barricading off the area of the tour.

On a final note, the safety measures also need to be checked and made available such as PPE, high visibility vest and workshop layout displays.

From the communication point of view, the marketing team is responsible for sending out the invitations and promoting the Manlift Open House Day. This will be conducted through landing pages,press releases, and across all social media channels with a special attraction to come to the event with something that’s new and beneficial for customers.

Furthermore, the marketing team is responsible for creating a professional ambiance with proper, consistent branding in the yard. Manlift’s value propositions will be displayed through banners or pop ups and marketing materials such as leaflets and brochures. We will also create a nice give away for our customers, to make an impact on how we are perceived by them in return.

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The Commercial Team will be responsible for the tour guides, carrying out personal tours, and sending personal invites to customers across all industries.

Our Stores Controller ensures proper parts Kanban (signboard in Japanese).

and time at the beginning of your team meeting.

Training Department conducts a live IPAF training during the Open House Day.

At least two weeks prior to the event, set a deadline for registration once the date of the Open House Day is confirmed and announced accordingly.

Rental Desk Team / Hire Desk Team prepares KPI visual display, KPI explanation, hire process, sales app, etc.

In any case, the best way to learn is to visit us and experience Manlift for yourself!

At least one representative from all departments should be involved.

Make sure to agree on a proper budget to avoid facing any financial burdens in the end.

Also, make sure to define the day

A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S Filipinos recognize Fidel V. Ramos, or FVR, as the 12th President of the Philippine Republic who served from 1992 to 1998. The non-Roman Catholic leader was confronted with key national issues like the communist insurgencies and the Islamic separatist movement in Mindanao, but managed to forward the rapid economic growth early in his term. This fell apart later when a financial crisis hit Asia in 1997.

A President and Civil Engineering Board Exam Topnotcher FVR may not be a lawyer like many of the Philippine Presidents, but he is a licensed civil engineer who was a topnotcher.

Before he became the country’s commander-in-chief prior to Corazon Aquino, he was head of the Philippine Constabulary during Ferdinand Marcos’ regime. He was a key implementer of the martial law, but later defected from the government during the 1986 People Power Revolution. FVR led civilian demonstrations putting Marcos into exile.

That is what is mostly written in history books about him.

But there is also one thing that people should know about FVR which makes him unique among the Philippine presidents: FVR may not be a lawyer, but he is a licensed civil engineer who was a topnotcher.

Prior to this achievement, FVR joined the Philippine Military Academy as a cadet but didn’t finish as the 18-year-old won a government scholarship to the United States Military Academy in West Point. This was after he passed a series of qualifying examinations which he aced.

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A year after graduating in 1950, he grabbed the opportunity to take an engineering course in the US and applied for a government scholarship. He was accepted.

FVR received a one-and-a-halfyear grant for his Masters of Civil Engineering degree in one of the leading science and technology universities in the US, the University of Illinois.

FVR came back home with his master’s degree and reported to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He was assigned

to the southern military area in Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna where the Hukbalahap movement was active. It wasn’t long that the Korean War intervened and his battalion combat team was sent to the war zone in Korea in 1952.

His tour of duty was successful, so he came to the country only to be assigned to a star position in General Headquarters, AFP. Realizing that he wants to be board-certified about his being a

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A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S

civil engineer, FVR reviewed for the board examination. At the time, he was working at Camp Aguinaldo (then Camp Murphy) and had to find all the means to rush to school.

felt the need to help in rebuilding the structures of his beloved country.

He revealed in a Business Mirror interview that his decision to become an engineer came a little late at 17 years old.

“I saw the massive damage when we came back to Manila after liberation sometime in February 1945,” FVR recalls. “And when I was crossing the Pasig River on a pontoon bridge, put up by the American liberation forces because the old Nagtahan Bridge had been blown up, I decided right then and there to become an engineer, in order to help in the reconstruction of the Philippines.”

That was after World War II, where many of the Philippines’ buildings were destroyed including the Post Office Building, the Manila Metropolitan Theater, and the Manila City Hall. FVR saw the wreckage and

After he topped the board exam and just as he felt the need to settle down and get married, FVR met a former schoolmate named Amelita Martinez. They got married after six months of courtship.

The 25-year-old FVR took the 1953 Civil Engineering Board Examination at the National University in Sampaloc, Manila, only to place 8th overall.

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In the early days of their marriage, FVR decided to enroll at the University of the Philippines College of Law to follow the footsteps of his father, former Ambassador Narciso Ramos, who was a successful lawyer and diplomat. However, this became difficult for the couple that his wife had made him choose.

“But it turned out that going to UP Law in the Ermita district was too much of my newly married status, and so my wife gave me an ultimatum: It’s either me or that law degree that you want so badly,” he says. “So I said, ‘of course I want you,’ and I gave up the law degree.”

Note that six of the Philippine Presidents were bar topnotchers.

FVR is one of the non-lawyers,

A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S

and the only one to receive a distinction of being a board topnotcher.

FVR went on to take two more master’s degree: one in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines in 1969, and the other is in Business Administration at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1980. He holds five degrees as doctor of laws honoris causa. To add to that is the books he wrote counting close to 30 while in retirement.

Politics didn’t end for FVR after his term as President, as he was still involved in several 56

influential political organizations.

A little less than two years before the 2010 national elections, he urged voters to elect an engineer for President, if there were any. He hinted during a keynote speech in a Cebu conference that an engineer can better lead the Philippines compared to an economist. He said this without naming names.

“Let’s just say that we need someone who can visualize the whole picture, start and actualize,” FVR shares, referring to the skills inherent to an engineer.

F E AT U R E S T O RY

Senior Citizen Engineer? Nobody is Ever Too Old Age is just a number in Engineering!

I browse engineers’ forums regularly. In Quora and in Reddit, I always come across posts about users, sometimes in late 20s and more often in mid-30s, asking for public opinion whether or not they should pursue an engineering course at that age. And the answers, which come from the younger ones to people of their batch, unanimously express one thing: age is just a number.

It must be taboo for them that once you are no longer in the ideal age to be a college student, you are less likely to succeed or not at all. Last time I checked, there is no standard age to enroll in engineering. Hence, nobody is ever too old to become an engineer, or to become any professional for that matter.

From the forums, I have gathered that many brave – and old – souls have made the jump; however, they are not too many to be common. A lot of them come from different industries, regardless if related to engineering, but realized that they want to become an engineer later in life.

Which is completely all right.

I agree with the answers because age is just a number indeed – it is immaterial to reach one’s dreams.

‘Age doesn’t matter’ is usually 58

applied in other contexts but it fits so well in this situation.

One cannot rule out though that there may be to varying circumstances that affect the decision of the elderly to be involved in engineering. But I can say that they can only be ruled out as excuses – unless they are planning to take engineering half-heartedly – once they know the story of Colonel Sanders who went through an awful lot in life before he became an icon of Finger Lickin’ Good.

Long before he was known to be the founder of the famous fastfood chain KFC, Colonel Sanders had worked different odd jobs like a farmer, streetcar conductor, soldier, railroad fireman, lawyer, insurance salesman, steamboat operator, secretary, and lighting manufacturer, among others. This was after he quit school in seventh grade realizing that he would rather work all day than go to school. In the first half of his life, he also had a stint in Cuba with the Army.

Until in 1930, he acquired a ser-

F E AT U R E S T O RY

vice station in Corbin, Kentucky and served Southern dishes to travelers. Over time, his little restaurant became famous which forced him to get rid of the service station’s gas pump.

It took him 9 years to discover the signature “11 herbs and spices” that KFC is well-known for, a recipe that was developed in a pressure cooker now considered obsolete. It had the ideal consistency that Sanders had been looking for.

Undoubtedly, his chicken gained 60

wide popularity. Later, he was conferred by the governor of Kentucky in 1950 with a title of colonel, the highest honor the state can give. From then on, Colonel Sanders dressed in white suit and Kentucky colonel tie which is now used as the KFC icon.

But a new interstate had bypassed Sanders’ restaurant, forcing him to sell the location in 1956. He was left with a $105 Social Security check for income, but the 65-yearold did not leave the business and went door to door

with his chicken.

Together with his wife and a car, Colonel Sanders entered restaurants, offered to cook his chicken, and made a deal with the owners in case they liked the recipe. By 1963, he already had 600 restaurants across the US and Canada selling the signature Kentucky Fried Chicken.

In October of the same year, Colonel Sanders met lawyer John Y. Brown Jr. and venture capitalist Jack C. Massey who wanted to buy the franchise rights. In 1965 and at 73 years

F E AT U R E S T O RY

old, he finally agreed to sell the rights for $2 million (valued at $15.1 million in 2015), but under certain conditions: KFC keeps the chicken recipe, and Colonel Sanders gets a lifetime salary of $40,000 (which became $75,000 later) and remains as the brand ambassador, among others.

In October of the same year, Colonel Sanders met lawyer John Y. Brown Jr. and venture capitalist Jack C. Massey who wanted to buy the franchise rights. In 1965 and at 73 years old, he finally agreed to sell the rights for $2 million (valued at $15.1 million in 2015), but under certain conditions: KFC keeps the chicken recipe, and Colonel Sanders gets a lifetime salary of 62

$40,000 (which became $75,000 later) and remains as the brand ambassador, among others.

Colonel Sanders may not be an engineer, but there are valuable lessons to learn about his journey that should be picked up by those who think that it’s too late to achieve success in life.

Nobody is ever too old to become an engineer. It doesn’t matter if you are 36 or 43, one only needs hardwork, patience and determination to succeed in life because again, age is just a number.

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