Abu Dhabi, July 9th,2006 (WAM) -- Dr. Abdulla Al-Khanbashi, Provostof UAE University and Dr. Stewart Routledge, Middle East Director, GRMInternational of Australia, Abu Dhabi, signed today a Service Agreement,through which UAE University will provide testing/analysis services forthe Soil Survey Project of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
GRM International has contracted UAE University to conduct soil analysesinvolving about 20,000 physical, chemical and engineering tests costingDh. 1.32 million. The work will be carried out by the Research AffairsSector of the University at its Central Laboratories Unit, and involvingSoil Science Laboratory at the College of Food and Agriculture, Soil MechanicsLaboratory at the College of Engineering and Mineralogy laboratory atthe College of Science.
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) signed a contract withGRM International on 26th April 2006 to conduct Soil Survey for the Emirateof Abu Dhabi which involves soil analysis, satellite imaging as well asland mapping. "High quality education, research, testing and consultancy services havebecome distinct landmarks at UAE University" Dr. Abdulla Al-Khanbashi,Provost of UAE University, stated during the signing ceremony and addedthat the University is keen to be a pioneer in these areas in accordancewith the strategic vision of Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Ministerof Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of the UAE University,who stresses on the importance of the University's role as a source ofrenewable knowledge and as an effective support to all societal institutions. The successful launching and completion of numerous projects with localand international organizations has helped the University in enforcingits role as a genuine house of expertise and at the same time increasedthe level of confidence among our faculty members and specialists workingin various laboratory units. Dr. Stewart Routledge, Middle East Director, GRM International, said thatthe collaboration between the UAE University and GRM International reflectsthe true cooperation in using state of the technology and highly sophisticatedinstruments available at the University which provide data on soil characteristicsthat is considered as the back bone of the soil survey project. Dr. Maitha Salem Alshamsi, Assistant Provost for Research, UAE Universitysaid that Research Affairs Sector at the UAE University is providing analysis/testingservices and the partnership with GRM International is a clear testimonialof trust and confidence of both public and private sector organizationsin the quality of services provided by the University. Prof. Mohamed Fahim, chairman of CLU Technical & Consulting Committeesaid that soil testing is one of the most important components of soilsurvey project and awarding such a task to the University laboratoriesshow the trust of GRM International on the capability of our laboratoriesand emphasizing the role of University in serving the society. Dr. W.M. Porter, Project Manager of the Soil Survey Project at the GRMInternational said the excellent testing facilities available at CLU andother laboratories at the University, CLU accreditation under ISO/IEC17025:2005 by UKAS and demonstration of testing services of highest qualityhas prompted GRM International to select the University as its partnerfor this prestigious project. CLU is playing an active role in coordinating testing facilities availablein the Colleges of the University to provide analytical/testing servicesthrough a single window to the utmost satisfaction of its customers whichis a key in solving wide range of problems," says Dr. Madduri V. Rao,Director of CLU.
