AUS, Emirates Nature-wwf ink pact on conservation
Among other things, the collaborations have included multiple ongoing conservation research projects and student training opportunities on marine and terrestrial focused conservation issues
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Emirates Nature-wwf will collaborate closely in research, student training and employment, and aim to bridge the gap between academia, government decision-makers and industry, according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two institutions recently.
The agreement aims to formalise more than five years of work between the two institutions. Among other things, the collaborations have included multiple ongoing conservation research projects and student training opportunities on a variety of marine and terrestrial focused conservation issues, such as climate change, coral reefs, fisheries and marine megafauna (sharks, rays and turtles), and oyster beds.
Professor Kevin Mitchell, Chancellor of AUS, and Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, General Director of Emirates Nature-wwf, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.
The objective of the MOU is to actively explore research collaboration opportunities addressing key issues related to biodiversity, ecosystems, climate change and sustainability; support future employment of AUS students and alumni by providing internship placement opportunities; collaborate in organising mutual events such as workshops, symposiums, seminars and conferences; and work on projects that implement real-life solutions utilising the expertise of AUS faculty members and applying the skills of AUS students, such as awareness campaigns, events, fellowships, citizen science, consultations, practicum workshops and site visits.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Mitchell said: “AUS has benefited from the long-standing collaboration with Emirates Nature-wwf. We are pleased to sign the MOU, and look forward to continuing to work together on issues related to the conservation of natural resources in the UAE.”
Commenting on the agreement, Abdullatif, an AUS alumna said: “On behalf of the organisation, I am honored to have officially signed an MOU with our long-standing partner AUS. Having studied at AUS myself, I am personally invested in paying it forward and empowering youth to create a sustainable UAE. We need to invest in upskilling our youth so that they are ready for the green recovery which is set to shape the next 50 years of the UAE.
Looking back at our partnership so far, I am specifically proud of the first coastal habitat map of the Northern Emirates, which we released in 2019, that is being used by researchers and managers to continue working in the efficient conservation and management of these important ecosystems. I have no doubt that we will continue to shape the face of conversation in the UAE together.”
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan articulated his vision of a distinctive institution against the backdrop of Islamic history and in the context of the aspirations and needs of contemporary society in the UAE and the Gulf region.
Firmly grounded in principles of meritocracy and with a strong reputation for academic excellence, AUS has come to represent the very best in teaching and research, accredited internationally and recognised by employers the world over for creating graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and drive to lead in the 21st century.
AUS values learners not driven only by academic success, but by those that embrace our dynamic campus life and embody our ideals of openness, tolerance and respect. this combination of academic excellence and community spirit ensures AUS is filled with world-class faculty and students, poised to become the innovators, thinkers, contributors and leaders of tomorrow.
About Emirates Nature-wwf: Emirates Nature-WWF is a non-profit organisation established to drive positive change in the United Arab Emirates to conserve the nation’s natural heritage. Established in 2001 under the generous patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, it works with partners to devise policies, educate communities and implement conservation solutions to ensure the future health of the Earth, its ecosystems and inhabitants. It is part of the global WWF network, which has a 50-year legacy of environmental conservation and is supported by more than five million people worldwide. For more information about Emirates Nature-wwf, please visit emiratesnaturewwf.ae.