ICBA, Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance join hands for capacity development

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together to enhance scientific research capabilities among students of the foundation, including gifted Emirati youth.

Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Acting Director General of ICBA, and H.E. Dr. Jamal Al Muhairi, Vice President of the Board of Trustees and Secretary-General of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, signed the MoU during a virtual meeting hosted by the foundation on 2 June 2021 in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.

Under the agreement, ICBA and the foundation will, among other things, exchange knowledge and technical expertise and organize different capacity development programs, including hands-on training courses, mainly through the Emirates Soil Museum and the ICBA Youth Engagement Society (ICBA YES) initiative. The programs will be focused on agricultural and scientific research to help students to enter the scientific field.

Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi said: “We are delighted to forge a strategic partnership with the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance. Through this partnership, ICBA will work with the foundation on capacity development, which includes organizing hands-on training workshops focused on innovations in agricultural research. We aim to develop the skills of younger generations and make them passionate about advanced science and technology and ultimately support the development of solutions to address challenges related to water, the environment, and food security.”

Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi added: “As part of this partnership, ICBA will also engage students from the foundation in activities under the ICBA Youth Engagement Society (ICBA YES) to establish a youth community that contributes to addressing local and global challenges in food security, agricultural production and sustainability in marginal environments. In collaboration with the foundation, we look forward to implementing educational programs to encourage and nurture gifted and talented Emirati youth to contribute to scientific research and development to make a lasting impact on biodiversity and agricultural entrepreneurship.”

For his part, H.E. Dr. Jamal Al Muhairi said: “This agreement is in line with the vision of the wise leadership and the strategic directions of the UAE. It aims to activate strategic cooperation between the two organizations to achieve greater excellence and leadership in activities related to the areas of common interest. The foundation is keen to initiate strategic cooperation with various organizations within and outside the UAE and share our experiences and the vision to further achieve excellence in the entire educational system, create a leading global model for human development and support national efforts to produce a generation of leaders and innovators to address various future educational challenges.”

H.E. Dr. Jamal Al Muhairi added: “We are pleased to collaborate with ICBA, and we see great potential for exchanging our expertise. The foundation will share its know-how on caring for talented and innovative people, while the center will support the foundation in building technical skills through its vast experience in devising solutions to challenges related to water, the environment, and food security, among others.”

Building on the collaboration since 2018, the new partnership between ICBA and the foundation aims to support the UAE’s wise vision and strategic guidance for youth and build a generation passionate about modern science and technology.