Marine scientists from the Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences hosted a delegation of senior officials from the Emirati Ministry of Education led by UAE Education Minister H.E. Hussein Ibrahim Al Hammadi. The visit to UofH marine research facilities follows the signing of an academic agreement between the University of Haifa and Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates that will foster joint research on environmental issues and student and faculty exchanges.

Highlights from the visit included a discussion with Prof. Dan Tchernov (Head, Mediterranean Sea Research Center of Israel) on the importance of deep-sea research amid growing climate change concerns, and a demonstration of the university’s underwater robotic capabilities led by Dr. Yitzhaq Makovsky (Department of Marine Geosciences and The Hatter Department of Marine Technologies). Professors Israel Finkelstein (Director, School of Archaeology) and Deborah Cvikel (Maritime Civilizations) presented the remains of a recently excavated Bronze Age cargo ship and intact cargo that included 1,500-year-old urns with inscriptions in Arabic. Dr. Moran Zaga (Ezri Center for Iran & Persian Gulf Studies), Baruch Marzan, VP for Internationalization and Sustainability, and President Ron Robin joined the delegation. MORE ON THE VISIT

We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with you…Through education, tolerance, and advocating for peace, we can live together. – H.E. Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, UAE

The sea is a source of food, water, and energy both for Israel and the UAE. As we continue to contend with today’s climate change challenges there is no doubt that the sea holds the key to our shared future on this planet. – President Ron Robin

*UAE delegation with UofH marine scientists and senior administration in front of the Helmsley Charitable Trust Mediterranean Sea Research Center. | Credit: University of Haifa