Delegation from the National Research Foundation visits ICBA

Dr. Husam Al-Ulama, Director of National Research Foundation (NRF) and Dr. Ahmed Alosi, Research Program Manager of NRF visited the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) on 18 June 2013. The distinguished NRF delegation met with Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA, along with Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif, Deputy Director General, Dr. Mohammed Amrani, Director of Research and Innovations, and Ms. Fiona Chandler, Director of International Cooperation and Partnership. Both parties discussed collaboration and partnership opportunities.

Dr. Elouafi said, “We’ve had the pleasure of engaging in previous discussion with NRF however this was their first visit to ICBA and resulted in a very fruitful discussion. We saw a number of areas where we are very much in alignment with the National Research Foundation. I think in terms of benefits to the UAE, the partnership will provide a lot of benefit to the research community in the country.”

While commenting on the outcomes of the meeting, Mrs. Chandler highlighted that this was a meeting to explore each other’s programs and to find out more about what NRF is working on and to share with them ICBA projects and expertise. Fiona added there are some areas that are fertile for future collaboration such as a workshop on soil that NRF is organizing in September and a possible internship program.