ISLAMABAD: Dr Muhammad Wakil Shahzad, a Pakistani national, won a second edition of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award in the category of Innovative Person Award and Youth Award.

His concept, ”24/7 Solar Desalination” is a hybrid desalination cycle combining the adsorption cycle (AD) with traditional multi-effect distillation (MED) method to address MED’s operational limitations. Hybrid MEDAD water cycle production is 2-3 times that of conventional MED. The technology makes use of solar or waste thermal energy.

Two industrial pilot projects have been carried out at Singapore National University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, local media reported.

The awards were presented at a ceremony held at Madinat Jumeirah by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai media council.

Also present at the event were Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister for climate change and environment, and Ghulam Dastgir, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE.

Pakistan’s ambassador congratulated Dr Muhammad Wakil Shahzad on winning an Innovative Individual Award at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award in the second edition.

His groundbreaking project ”24/7 Solar Desalination” he said is an important contribution to the management of water resources network.

He said Dr Shahzad’s project will encourage communities to use enhanced and efficient water solutions.