Dr. Adel M. Abdel Kader, Regional coordinator, Division of Early Warning and Assessment, UNEP- West Asia office, visited GRC to discuss possible cooperation in environmental activities especially the UNEP potential GEO Gulf Region Environmental Assessment research project.
A delegation from the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) visited the Gulf Research Center on April 13, 2008. The delegation consisted of Cui Liru (President), Li Xin, (Deputy Director/ Department of International Exchanges), Dr. Yuan Peng, (Research Professor/ Director Institute of American Studies), Li Rong (Research Professor/ Director Institute of Asian and African Studies) and Tian Wenlin, PhD. (Associate Research Fellow).
The main theme of discussion was the current and future perspective of China-GCC relations with regards to oil supplies from the region and possible implications of China’s enhanced presence in the MENA region. The delegation recognized the “limited capabilities” of China’s engagement in the region and stressed the interdependence of its relations with the USA. Recognizing the complicated nature of China-USA relations in the past, the bilateral relationship was described to develop positively, particularly since 2001. CICIR’s representatives stressed the Chinese “model of mutual cooperation” in Middle Eastern Affairs and substantiated China’s role as a mutual benefactor, particularly in view of China’s engagement in Africa.
The Chinese delegation shared a keen interest on the future of the “Dubai Model”, the region’s nuclear future and on perspectives of renewable energy in the Gulf. A further aspect of the discussion was the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiation process between China and the GCC.
The fruitful exchange also envisaged enhanced cooperation between GRC and CICIR in the future.
His Excellency Sergey Krasnogor, Consul General of Russia in Dubai and Professor Vladimir Naumkin, Deputy Director of Moscow State University visited the GRC. They were briefed about relations between the GCC States and Russia, as well as the current situation of Gulf Security. They also discussed possible future cooperation between the two institutions.
Dr. Eckart Woertz, Program Manager Economics at GRC briefed a delegation of the Committee on Transport, Building and Urban Affairs of the German parliament about the GCC transport sector on March 27. The delegation was headed by the chairman of the Committee Dr. Klaus W. Lippold, Dieter Kaden, Chairman and CEO of the German Air Navigation Services was also present.
On a panel with Dr. Günther Beckstein, the Bavarian Minister-President, Emilia Müller, Bavarian Minister of Economy and Dr. Peter Göpfrich, Official Delegate of the German Commerce and Industry in Dubai, Dr. Eckart Woertz, Program Manager Economics at GRC briefed a delegation of German business people from the German state of Bavaria and Dubai about contemporary economic issues in the Gulf on March 19, 2008 in Dubai.
On the occasion of the visit of Dr. Thomas Goppel, State Minister for Science, Research and the Arts in the Free state of Bavaria, Germany, the Gulf Research Center and the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the area of scientific cooperation and joint research projects. The MoU was signed by Prof. Dr. Karl-Dieter Grüske, Rector of the University Erlangen-Nürnberg and Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Gulf Research Center. Accompanied by a delegation of dignitaries from Bavaria, including several University Presidents, the memorandum seeks to further the GRC’s objective to collaborate with universities, think-tanks and research organizations in order to promote solid academic work on the GCC states and the Gulf region. This agreement will allow the GRC and the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg to cooperate on event organization as well as staff and student exchange.
Prof. Dr. Grüske underlined that both institutions share common values and opinions on the matter and he emphasized the need and desire to cooperate with the GRC not only on educational issues but specifically in research. He also emphasized the long tradition of the university in relations to Middle Eastern studies. GRC Chairman Abdulaziz Sager mentioned that this is a great opportunity for the GRC to look into integrating further technology and applied sciences to the four core areas of research pursued by the GRC including politics and security studies, energy and economics, as well as education and the environment
State Minister Dr. Goppel highlighted that both Bavaria and the Gulf are regions attached to their traditions and values which they should preserve but also allow to grow. Through determinant partnership such as the one signed between the GRC and the University Erlangen-Nürnberg, better understanding and knowledge as well as educational and economic opportunities will be promoted and expanded.
In addition to Dr. Goppel and Prof. Dr. Grüske, the delegation also included Dr. Hartmut Wurzbacher, director of the research, planning in higher education and international affairs department in the Bavarian Ministry. Prof. Dr. Alf C. Zimmer, President of the University of Regensburg, Prof. Dr. Marion Schick, President of the University of Applied Sciences, Munich, Prof. Dr. Reinhold Baumstark, General Director of Art Collection of the State of Bavaria, and Prof. Dr. Heidrun Stoeger, Chair for School Education at the Universität Regensburg, School Research and School Development, and Thomas Boehm, Director of the German Academic Exchange Service in the UAE (DAAD).
