Wright Redda
Yeboah Taylor
In partnership with TLB Enterprises Group Holding, a delegation of Florida A&M University (FAMU) officials and researchers will participate in the World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi, the capital and second largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The conference will be held Jan. 20-22.
The trip marks the official launch of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FAMU and TLB, which will facilitate an ongoing relationship with UAE government officials and leaders in academia. This relationship will allow FAMU to offer training, expertise, research and development in an array of disciplines, including: environmental, natural and pharmaceutical sciences and engineering.
FAMU delegates include: Rodner Wright, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Ken Redda, professor and interim vice president for research; Dr. Yaw Yeboah, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Dr. Robert Taylor, dean and director of land grant programs at the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences.
Terence Bolden, the president of TLB, a black-owned consulting company operating in the UAE, will host the delegation.
“The FAMU visit provides the opportunity for both the university and TLB Enterprises Group Holding to fulfill its partnership goal of adding substantive value to the United Arab Emirates as professional service providers,” Bolden said.
He continued, “It is our vision to do this by combining the strengths of our organizations to address substantial human need issues like environmental agriculture, waste to energy, clean water and educational services. We are excited about this historic visit and look forward to the value and benefit it will produce for all parties involved.”
Redda echoed Bolden’s sentiments.
“This trip is important for FAMU, TLB and the host country (UAE) to lay out the groundwork for concrete engagement in promoting education, research and development,” Redda said. “Our expectations for this partnership are to also further explore the current and prospective needs and priorities of the UAE region, to share FAMU’s expertise in these processes relevant to the UAE area and to interact with the main stakeholders in the UAE.”
According to Redda, the delegation hopes to utilize the trip to further its understanding and appreciation of the culture, language and best practices of the UAE environment.
“FAMU wants to pursue the possibilities of future funding for the proposed MOU-driven projects,” Redda said.
While in Abu Dhabi, the delegation will participate in business matchmaking and strategy sessions, meet with the UAE National Research Foundation and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as well as visit local universities.
For more information on FAMU’s research and development programs, visit the following links:
www.famu.edu/index.cfm?DOR_division_of_research
www.famu.edu/cesta/main/index.cfm/research/agricultural-research/#my-menu
www.eng.fsu.edu/research