United Arab Emirates' Minister of Education Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi visited the University of Haifa in early November as part of a delegation of senior Emirati officials.
The group had arrived in order to gain knowledge about the institution's acclaimed marine sciences research and made a point of emphasizing how education is the antidote to difficulties present in both the Middle East and the world.
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"We're delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with you; education is the future," Al Hammadi said. "All over the world and in the Middle East, we have great challenges ahead. Education is the way to manage them. Through education, tolerance, and advocating for peace, we can live together. I'm sure we're only beginning to develop this relationship."
University of Haifa President Professor Ron Robin, concurred with the sentiment, commenting that "Israel and the UAE have much in common. Both countries are situated alongside the sea, which is a source of food, water, and energy. There is no doubt that as we continue to contend with today's climate change challenges, the sea is the future."
The group, led by the minister, was taken to the University's Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, where they learned about the modern-day relevance of deep-sea research in the context of heightened concern for challenges such as climate change. President Robin stated that he expects to improve on the existing working partnership between the two countries and that a joint research facility in the Persian Gulf would be established in the future.
Prof. Dan Tchernov, the founder and scientific director of the University's Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, also explained exactly why and how the sea is so significant to the earth's long-term sustainability as both a food and water source, and further stressed the importance of fostering renewable technologies to keep the oceans healthy.
The University of Haifa also inked an academic collaboration agreement with Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates earlier this month, which will focus on environmental challenges and promote cooperative research between academics and students.
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