Dr. Ismahane A. Elouafi, Director General, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, and Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, sign an agreement during the seventh edition of the World Future Energy Summit. JEDDAH – Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, a research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, has joined with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) to deliver agricultural and water scarcity solutions in marginal environments. Under the agreement, Masdar Institute and ICBA will lay the foundation for further co-operation on ways to develop greater understanding of the water, agricultural production and climates of the GCC countries and the wider Mena region, as well as conduct research and educate professionals in this field. The announcement was made at the ongoing World Future Energy Summit 2014 in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Ismahane A. Elouafi, Director General, International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, and Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute,signed an agreement during the seventh edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES). Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, president of Masdar Institute, said: “The agreement with the ICBA will help the UAE by creating a unique expertise in the fields of climate, water and agriculture in arid regions. The UAE can then lead the region in the development of agricultural and water management techniques that are adapted to arid regions.” “The two research-based entities will also help Abu Dhabi to develop human capacity in this area through the training of students and researchers,” he said. The current agreement will cover areas such as climate, water and agricultural modeling, monitoring and analysis. It will include developing research initiatives in key areas of common interest and seeking joint sources of funding in order to fund research activities. It will also include holding training and qualifying courses as well as workshops and regular meetings between technical and scientific experts from both parties in the areas of assessing, modeling and managing water, agriculture and climate; conduct joint experiments and research studies on water, agriculture and climate monitoring and modeling using the latest concepts and techniques. — SG
