Ceremony aimed to strengthen cooperation in both educational and scientific fields

Sharjah, November 26, 2015,

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, signed a memorandum of understanding between the Sharjah Research Academy and the University of Queensland, Australia yesterday with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the academy and the university in both educational and scientific fields.

According to the memorandum -- the first of its kind to be signed between the academy and an Australian university -- both sides will cooperate in the fields of coastal and oceanic studies, water sustainability, food systems, and clean and renewable energy, all through joint research, an exchange of scientists and researchers, and joint academic programmes.

Addressing this occasion, Dr Amr Abdel Hamid, Director General of the Sharjah Research Academy, said, "This MoU is part of Sharjah's eagerness -- thanks to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah -- to benefit from the experience of international academic institutions in strengthening the research works at the academy, thus helping produce more accurate studies and research to the community. The MoU sheds light on the scientific renaissance in the emirate of Sharjah and the UAE."

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director of the Global Change Institute at the University of Queensland, was impressed with the growth the emirate of Sharjah is witnessing in its many fields. He stated that the MoU will pave the way for more cooperation in the future, especially since the university is eager to share its expertise worldwide, benefit from the experience of the Sharjah Research Academy, and learn about the best research practices in the region, all in order to enrich and use the scientific disciplines for the service of mankind.

The Brisbane-based University of Queensland is one of the oldest educational and research institutions in Australia -- founded in 1909, it currently houses 50,000 students, 25% of which are international students from all over the world. UoQ has the largest enrollment of PhD students in Australia and was ranked the 43rd best university in the world for academic year 2014-2015.

The Sharjah Research Academy specialises in scientific research and studies. The academy includes the following science and research centres: Sharjah Institute for Desert Development Research, Sharjah Institute for Plant Research, Sharjah Marine Science Institute, Sharjah Institute for Bird Science, and Sharjah Environmental Research Institute. 

The signing ceremony was attended by HE Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Sharjah Protocol and Hospitality Department, HE Salem Mohammed Al Qaseer, Chairman of the Labour Standards Development Authority, and Dr Amr Abdel Hamid, Director of the Sharjah Research Academy. 

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© Press Release 2015