American University of Sharjah (AUS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Environment and Water today, February 4, with the aim of providing a framework of cooperation to facilitate collaboration between the parties in areas of mutual interest. Dr. Björn Kjerfve, Chancellor of AUS and Abdulrahman Al Hamadi, undersecretary of the ministry, signed the MoU.

The signing of the MoU comes within the interest of enhancing the strategic partnership between AUS and the Ministry of Environment and Water, and coordination of the efforts to support and promote environmental awareness among the university students and educating them to lead the UAE towards a sustainable future for the next generations.

According to the MoU, the parties agreed on collaboration in developing research activities of mutual interest to benefit from the expertise and resources of both parties, or those related to the use of water in the agricultural field and cooling systems in reserved agriculture. That is accomplished through the development of models and designs of agricultural greenhouses and cooling systems in greenhouses, and methods of sustainability towards water resources and their sources for agricultural use. This is in addition to developing methods of using renewable energy resources in the agricultural sector (solar, wind, tidal energy, kinetic and mechanical energy).

The agreement also included training of students and supporting university student projects and theses and projects of higher education students in relation to the interest of both parties. Also, the agreement included organizing professional training and development programs, and holding workshops and conferences to promote the skill of AUS students and employees at the Ministry of Environment and Water, as well as the spread of knowledge and establishing collaboration.

Dr. Kjerfve welcomed the attendees, expressed his gratitude towards the efforts of the Ministry of Environment and Water to establish a collaboration with AUS, and said, "We are happy to pursue this agreement and look ahead to extend our relationship with the Ministry for further cooperation".

Al Hamadi added to the Chancellor's statement and said, "AUS is considered one of the leading universities in the world and we are excited for this partnership and believe this MoU is beneficial for both of us."

The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by a number of senior AUS and Ministry of Environment and Water officials.