Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 15 2016

Diamond Developers announced today a PhD Fellowship program in Sustainability Studies in partnership with the University California Davis (UC Davis), one of the premier research Universities in the United States. The program will provide the opportunity to some of the brightest minds from across the Arab world to carry out valuable research in sustainability topics.

The Diamond Developers Fellowship Program will select up to 50 students from the Middle East, selected candidates need to be accepted in a doctor of philosophy degree program at UC Davis in disciplines relevant to sustainability and economic/social development of Arab countries.  Examples include, but are not limited to, agriculture, water, energy, biochemistry, or social science disciplines with a focus on sustainability and sustainable development. Students will also have the option to carry out part of their research at The Sustainable City in Dubai.

The program supports the United Nations 'Sustainable Development Goals' (SDG) and the COP21 Paris Agreement by developing leading researchers, teachers and practitioners in sustainability fields in the Arab world. The Fellowship Program is a critical part of the work of the newly established Diamond Innovation Center based in The Sustainable City in Dubai, which will build and spread knowledge on all aspects of sustainability and the built environment.

Faris Saeed, CEO of Diamond Developers, said: "The mission of The Diamond Innovation Center is to advance progress in sustainability whether it is environmental, economical or social. This initiative will further strengthen our work in this field and build on the sustainability studies we have been working on with UC Davis and our other academic partners."

He added, "Investing in the promising students and bright minds from this region will accelerate the move towards achieving the green economic targets for the region and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals."

Professor Suad Joseph, Faculty Advisor to the Chancellor, University of California, Davis commented: "Diamond Developers' PhD Fellowship Program in Sustainability offers an exciting opportunity for graduate students from the Arab world to receive world-class training in sustainability studies.  With the possibility of training up to 50 PhD scholars over a seven-year period, Diamond Developers has opened a gate-way to transformative sustainability research and practice in the Arab region. 

The Fellowship program builds on Diamond Developers' ongoing partnership with UC Davis, which   includes a US$ 3 million Sustainability Research and Training Program (SRTP). This industry - academic collaboration carries out cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and training on topics related to sustainability and the built environment with the University of California Davis and five leading Arab Universities: The American University of Beirut, Birzeit University, The American University in Cairo, Lebanese American University, and the American University of Sharjah.

Applications for the Fellowship are now open through the website: [www.thesustainablecity.ae/fellowship/]. The application deadline for students seeking sponsorship for the September 2017 intake is 1 September 2016.

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About Sustainable City:
The Sustainable City in Dubai offers the three pillars of sustainability; Environmental, Economic and Social, across one all-inclusive and comprehensive community landscape. Providing a full array of residential luxury facilities and amenities that have no negative impact on the environment, a unique concept that redefines sustainable living through its energy efficient housing, first Net Zero Energy city, no service or maintenance fees, green education and health care, eco-attractions and a full range of indoor and outdoor leisure activities, commercial, urban farming, and an Innovation Centre all that delivers a high quality sustainable living. With 46 hectares, the city is located in Dubailand on Al Qudra Road.

The Sustainable City recently received two awards, one from the International Green Design Awards 2016 in China, and also the 'Green Residential Building of the year' at EmiratesGBC 2016 Award. Furthermore, the city has recently partnered with Emirates Wildlife Society - WWF (EWS-WWF) to tackle climate change and promote energy conservation & solar power.

About Diamond Developers:
Established in 2003 by a team of eco-minded entrepreneurs, architects and civil engineers, Diamond Developers' vision and mission is to be at the forefront of an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable property industry and to deliver premium quality properties and businesses.

© Press Release 2016