Young Emirati To Join Solar Impulse Team On Historic Round-The-World Flight

Hasan Al Redaini will join the Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) team on its round-the-world journey set to take-off this March from Abu Dhabi. Si2 is the first solar-powered plane able to fly day and night without a drop of fuel.

Abu Dhabi is honoured – and a natural partner – to be the host city of Si2’s historic five-month journey around the world aiming to inspire future generations. This journey coincides with the UAE ‘Year of Innovation’ that was announced by UAE leadership.

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, is the host of this project and shares Solar Impulse’s long-term vision and desire to explore new horizons. Hasan will accompany Si2 as a representative of the UAE on a journey expected to return to the emirate in late July or early August.

Hasan is 25 years old, and is a graduate of Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and languages, which he completed after being awarded “The Distinguished Students Scholarship” from the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs. This is the most prestigious scholarship in the country and is granted annually by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, President of the UAE, to a cohort of 15 to 20 top-performing high school students.

During his time at Sorbonne, Hasan was one of the founders as well as the vice president of the University Student Council, and also acted as a university ambassador. He completed internships with global energy companies including Total and British Petroleum. Post-graduation, he started working as a communications officer at the Mubadala Development Company.

Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, director of sustainability at Masdar said: “Hasan will be our ambassador to the world on this historic journey that exemplifies how human ingenuity can solve the world’s greatest challenges. He will carry the UAE’s and Masdar’s message of innovation, optimism and pioneering spirit. We wish Hasan the greatest of luck, and urge audiences from the UAE and the world to follow and support him on this journey.”

Bertrand Piccard, founder and visionary and André Borschberg, cofounder and entrepreneur behind the Solar Impulse project said: “We are very happy to have Hasan on board. We are always looking for talented and outstanding individuals from around the world who share our enthusiasm and pioneering spirit. As a global project, having Hasan as the first team member from the Middle East adds diversity to our team and enriches our work culture”

In addition to his role as a UAE representative, Hasan will work with the Solar Impulse communications and marketing team, as well as support in planning the arrival and departure of Si2 at each destination while working with relevant authorities. Furthermore, he will post regular updates and pictures from the trip on Twitter and Instagram through his handle @HasanRTW for Emirati and Arab audiences to follow.

“I would like to thank Masdar for offering me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am very excited for the take-off of Solar Impulse 2 round-the-world journey. I take great pride in the UAE’s role supporting this pioneering project, and feel honored and delighted to represent my country in such an ambitious endeavor – something I’ve always dreamed of doing.” said Hasan.

Solar Impulse 2 round the world journey route includes stops in Muscat, Oman; Ahmedabad and Varanasi, India; Mandalay, Myanmar; and Chongqing and Nanjing, China. After crossing the Pacific Ocean via Hawaii, the plane will fly across the continental United States stopping in three locations, including Phoenix and New York City at JFK International Airport. The third U.S. location in the Midwest will be decided dependent on weather conditions. After crossing the Atlantic, the final legs include a stop-over in Southern Europe or North Africa before arriving back in Abu Dhabi.

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Mar 4, 2015

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