Fulbright Project between Texas Gulf Coast Environmental Data (TEXGED) Center, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) and Center of Research and Studies of Protected Areas, Ain Shams University during 2004- 2005

Award No 464251-00001

Funded by the Bi-national Fulbright Commission in Egypt and Fulbright State Department, USA Granted September 24, 2004

ABSTRACT

The project aim is to develop new aspect of graduate curricula in Environmental Management and Ecological Studies. This curriculum has been developed and introduction of new courses has been implemented. The courses are:

  1. Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR);
  2. Natural Resource Economics;
  3. Habitat Conservation Planning for Endangered Species;
  4. Endangered Species Recovery Planning;
  5. An Ecosystem Approach to Conservation;
  6. Integrated Approach to Aquatic Invasive Species Management;
  7. Monitoring Aquatic Biota;
  8. Numerical Analysis of the Endangered Species;
  9. Computer Ecological modeling for monitoring and prediction of the loss and damages;
  10. Data Base Management System and Automation for Endangered Species, and Conservation of Natural Resources;
  11. Web Based Inventory Systems for Conserved and Protected Areas;
  12. Information System for Conserved and Protected Areas;
  13. GIS Design for Regional Conservation Planning;
  14. Conservation Biology: An Introduction;
  15. Natural Resources communications;
  16. Conservation Partnerships;
  17. Building Community Support;
  18. Stepping Up to Leadership;
  19. Dealing With Conflict and
  20. Waste Management and Indirect Impacts on Protection and Conservation of the natural ecosystems and related Environmental Impact Assessment methodologies

In order to accomplish the preparation of the courses and implement the project several trips between faculties of US Institution (Prairie View A&M University, Texas, USA) and faculties from Egyptian Institution (i.e. Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt) were accomplished. During these trips the US faculties visited Ain Shams University and delivered

several lectures regarding environmental issues concerning the environmental problems, conservation, waste management, environmental impact assessment and protected areas in Texas and USA.. Also, the Egyptian faculties visited Prairie View A&M University and delivered several lectures to the faculties and students of the university about the protected areas in Egypt, conservation of natural resources, protection of endangered species, endangered ecosystems in Egypt and the other environmental issues that facing Egypt. Further during these visits we discussed the applicable laws that are governing the environmental issues in both countries and how it be monitored. Additionally, one workshop has carried out at Ain Shams University. The title of the workshop is “Solid Waste Management “. The workshop has been divided to several topics regarding waste disposal, collection and recycling, processing technologies and methodologies of the solid waste materials and hazardous wastes such radioactive materials.

The project was a success and accomplished its mission and the students, faculties and administrators of both universities gained the experience from each other. The following is the description of the accomplishment of each trip. As the result of this project an agreement for memorandum of understanding between the two universities was signed and approved by the two presidents of the universities. This memorandum of understanding has an agreement to collaborate between the Texas Gulf Coast Environmental Data (TEXGED) Center, Prairie A&M University and Natural Protected Area Research Center, Ain Shams University in the Academic Training, Research and Service to the Communities. In order to fulfill this obligation Dr. Shakir , Prairie View A&M University and Dr. Khalil were submitted a collaborative research proposals to US –NSF and Agency for International Development (AID) to develop a scientific model to study the population dynamics of crayfish in the Rive Nile which is an exotic animal to Egyptian environment and it is native to US. The projects were funded.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
Texas Gulf Coast Environmental Data Center (TEXGED), Prairie View A&M University, PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS, USA
And
Natural Protected Areas Research Center (NPARC), AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY, CAIRO, EGYPT

Whereas,
Prairie View A&M University, a member of the Texas A&M University System, is the second oldest public institution of higher education in Texas, originated in the Texas Constitution of 1876. It is a state-assisted institution; a land grant institution by federal statue; and a “statewide special purpose” institution by legislative designation, serving a diverse ethnic and socioeconomic population prominent among who are the unserved and underserved. Having been designated by the Texas constitution as one of three “institutions of the first class” (1984), the University is committed to attaining and sustaining intellectual rigor while not abandoning its historical mission of providing equal opportunity access to persons who would likely be excluded from higher education were it not for Prairie View A&M University.

Prairie View A&M University is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service. It is committed to achieving relevance in each component of its mission by addressing issues and proposing solutions through programs and services designed to respond to the needs and aspirations of individuals, families, organizations, schools, and communities-both rural and urban. Though the University’s service area has generally targeted the Texas Gulf Coast Region, it serves the nation and has a history of international involvement.

Whereas,
Prairie View A&M University conducts coordinated programmatic activities in teaching, research, and service in seven colleges, two schools, and several research centers including the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, School of Architecture, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Juvenile Justice, College of Nursing, Graduate School, Premedical Academy,  Texas Gulf Coast Environmental Data Center, Center of Excellence for Communication Systems Technology Research, Thermal Science Research Center, and the Cooperative Agriculture Research Center.

Whereas,
The College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, the College of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Texas Gulf Coast Environmental Data Center have established international relationships.

Whereas,
Ain Shams University , as the third Egyptian University, was founded in July 1950 under the name of Ibrahim Pasha University” and participated with the two earlier universities, “Cairo University (Fuad the 1st ) and  “Alexandria University” (Farouk the 1st) in fulfilling the message of universities and meeting the increased demand of youth for higher education.

Whereas,
Ain Shams University conducts coordinated programmatic activities in 15 faculties (colleges) and two higher institutes including the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Commerce, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science, and Education, Faculty of Al-Alsun, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences, Faculty of Specific Education, Faculty of Nursing, Institute of Environmental Studies and Research, and the Institute of Childhood Postgraduate Studies.

Be it resolved
That Texas Gulf Coast Environmental Data Center (TEXGED) at Prairie View A&M University and the Natural Protected Areas Research Center (NPARC) at Ain Shams University enter into this Memorandum of Understanding whereby each will undertake to collaborate on issues, including but not limited to, the following articles:

Article I.     Academic Training
a)    Educational training at the undergraduate and graduate levels
b)    Continuing education training-non-degree training via workshops, short courses, seminars, and demonstrations
c)    Curriculum building, development and enhancement
d)    Resource materials for curriculum development
e)    Collaboration on graduate thesis research

Article II.   Research
a)    Environmental Issues
b)    Remote Sensing
c)    Conservation and protection of natural resources and wildlife

Article III.    Services to communities
a)    Education
b)    Collaborating on finding sources of funds to support the activities of this MOU

This memorandum shall become effective the date it is signed by all parties and shall remain in force until terminated by mutual consent of the parties, or by either party hereto giving to the other party written notice of termination. The termination of this
memorandum will not affect the completion of ongoing cooperative efforts formalized during its existence.

signatures for approvals.