UAEU and UNDP to cooperate in development efforts

The United Nation’s Development Fund (UNDP) and UAE University (UAEU) have on Tuesday agreed to cooperate in conducting research and studies on different issues related to human development and special studies on economic and social issues. The two organisation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to further enhance their existing cooperation and exchange of information for mutual benefit. Dr Elissar Sarrouh, the UNDP Resident Representative in UAE, and Dr Abdulla Al Khanbashi, Vice Chancellor of the UAEU, signed the memorandum, said a university official. The MOU will facilitate both the organisations to expand cooperation frameworks in the common interest, giving a chance to the university students as interns or trainees in specific programmes and projects during the summer, said the official. The cooperation will also include consultations and expertise exchange which in turn lead to find solutions and tackle various social issues in accordance with the University by-laws and policies. The two parties will work together to support scientific research through joint studies and projects in areas such as sustainable development, fighting poverty, crises prevention, the environment and energy, gender equality and human rights protection within the framework of project documents to be developed and subsequently agreed by the two Parties, he added. Joint conferences, workshops and specialists’ symposia will also be organised to discuss global development challenges, encourage policy debate and promote best practices in fields of Sustainable Human Development, in addition giving access to the UAEU students, researchers and faculty members to the Shaikha Fatima Human Development Centre and the United Nations Resource Centre located in the UNDP premises. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Khanbashi said the agreement will fulfil the university objectives of being a centre for learning and human development. The UAEU, he said, enjoys an academic and scientific environment which enables it to be a major instrument in training all the federal, local and private organisations employees. Dr Sarrouh said the UN has robust networks and links provided with knowledge and the expertise to assist individuals and groups with the aim to lead a better life. She explained that the Development Programme works in 177 countries around the globe to tackle the local and international challenges in order to enhance the service of human development through supporting the key elements of the comprehensive economic and social development. Gult News