To provide training, exchange knowledge and conduct agriculture-related research
7/15/2020 11:00 PM

Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) to boost mutual cooperation in providing training, exchanging knowledge, conducting research and studies, and analysing data to predict the future of agriculture, food safety & security, and biosecurity. The MoU was signed remotely by H.E. Saeed Al Bahri Alameri, Director-General of ADAFSA, and H.E. Prof. Ghaleb Al Hadrami Al Breiki, Acting Vice Chancellor of UAEU.  According to the MoU, cooperation between ADAFSA and UAEU is based on three main axes, the first one is focusing on providing training and exchanging knowledge by organizing joint programs supporting the key activities of both sides. The UAEU will organize training programs tailored to ADAFSA's staff, while ADAFSA will enable UAEU's students to conduct their graduation projects and carry out field training related to their specializations. Moreover, both will cooperate in organizing conferences, workshops and seminars of relevancy to agriculture, food security and biosecurity, as well as coordinating in creating knowledge networks at the national, regional and international levels.
Meanwhile, the second axis includes cooperating in conducting joint research programs and benefiting from the experiences of both entities' staff. Under the MoU, both sides will utilize their labs and training facilities in conducting research and applied studies programs, as well as making comparative studies of relevancy of their main areas of work

The third axis aims at enhancing cooperation in conducting artificial intelligence technologies-related research and utilizing the two parties' infrastructure and capabilities in epidemics analysis and finding technical solutions for their treatment. The MoU is valid for two years and can be renewed by consent of the parties, provided that its items should be assessed semi-annually, to ensure achieving the MoU's goals and develop it for the benefit of both parties.
Speaking on the MoU, H.E. Saeed Al Bahri Alameri said, "ADAFSA is keen on running Abu Dhabi's agricultural sector based on scientific research, developing work according to scientific foundations, and finding solutions to challenges facing the sector and its sustainability." ADAFSA has been cooperating with UAEU for a long time ago, and the latest MoU is a new move for developing cooperation and enhancing joint work to attain the strategic goals of the two parties, he added. Alameri expressed his happiness for cooperating with UAEU, stressing that ADAFSA will seek to utilize the university's scientific capabilities and expertise. In its turn, ADAFSA will work on enabling students and researchers to take advantage of its capabilities and infrastructure, to achieve complementarity between conducting scientific research and its implementation in agriculture, food safety and security, and biosecurity. Furthermore, Alameri affirmed that ADAFSA is constantly embracing artificial intelligence and modern technologies, to develop its operations, support decision-making process, and improve services provided to the public in Abu Dhabi. We hope this MoU will fulfil the aspirations of both parties in promoting sustainable agricultural development, running the agricultural sector on scientific foundations, and boosting scientific research in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Alameri concluded. For his side, Prof. Ghaleb Al Breiki, illustrated that the MoU is an additional step to enhance research and development efforts, and to find real and tangible solutions for agriculture and food safety in the UAE. He added the university is keen on providing technical expertise, harnessing all capabilities, labs and studies, offering technical solutions and addressing challenges to develop research capabilities and support areas of importance nationally and globally. Being a supportive environment based on knowledge, research and innovation, the UAEU is also eager to provide the community with the needed research and scientific studies to achieve the desired goals, Al Breiki clarified.

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  • Last Updated On: Jul 16, 2020