UKF STRENGTHENS RESEARCH PRESENCE AT UAE AGRITECH CONFERENCE 2025, MOU TO SUPPORT NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY

Amidst the vibrant scientific exchange at the UAE Agricultural Conference and Exhibition 2025—a premier national platform for envisioning the future of agriculture and food security—University of Khorfakkan, UKF, made a significant impact with its active participation. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment at ADNEC Al Ain from 28 to 31 May 2025, brought together government entities, universities, and research centers from across the country. Professor Ali Hilal Alnaqbi, Chancellor of UKF, contributed to the second-day panel session titled “Aquaculture: A Promising Sector for Enhancing Local Production.” His participation reflected the University’s advanced role in this critical field, particularly through its College of Marine Sciences and Aquatic Biology—a pioneering academic program in the UAE, known for its applied research programs and strong focus on marine ecology and sustainable aquaculture. The session provided a platform to showcase the university’s expertise in supporting the development of this vital sector, while also highlighting innovative research directions aligned with the national vision for advancing food security systems. On the sidelines of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, was signed between the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and several local universities, including University of Khorfakkan. The MoU aims to foster collaboration in agricultural research, enhance national capabilities, and develop robust data analytics and databases aligned with the country’s environmental and food sustainability goals. The agreement also outlines joint efforts to implement research programs and applied projects across agriculture, marine resources, and food security. It includes provisions for knowledge exchange, specialized student training opportunities, and shared use of research facilities and laboratories under a strategic university–ministry partnership. Through this engagement, the University reaffirms its commitment to national initiatives of strategic impact, strengthening its role as an academic hub contributing to agricultural innovation and the broader goals of environmental and food sustainability in the UAE.