Sustainability Research and Training Program
The Sustainability Research and Training Program (SRTP) is a collaborative project of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and the Diamond Developers of Dubai, UAE. In March 2014, UC Davis and Diamond Developers signed an agreement to promote research and training regarding the technologies and social conditions entailed in building, living in, and maintaining communities designed for sustainable living. During the term of the agreement, Diamond Developers designed, built and populated The Sustainable City in Dubai. The Sustainable City has served as a living laboratory for research and training. The interdisciplinary collaborative research included partners from the UCDAR Consortium. The projects engaged faculty from the social sciences, physical sciences and engineering. Research focused on water, soil, solid waste management, organic food production, renewable energy, and the social conditions and experiences entailed in building, living in, and maintaining communities designed for sustainable living.
SRTP promoted research and training through the following strategies.
1. Diamond Developers Sustainability Fellowship Program
5. The Next Generation of Sustainable Communities Conference
For additional background, please see the SRTP History page which includes information on key events and activities in the development of the SRTP program. More information about the Sustainable City in Dubai can be found here.
Select photos from past SRTP engagements:
The Next Generation of Sustainable Communities Conference
UCDAR
January 24, 2020
Pictured is the Next Generation Planning Committee. From the left: Meghan Klasic; Nermin Dessouky; Distinguished Professor Suad Joseph; Professor Stephen Wheeler; Bernadette Austin, Acting Director of the Center for Regional Change; and Distinguished Professor Bryan Jenkins.
October 2015
The Sustainability Research and Training Program is a partnership between Diamond Developers and UC Davis. Pictured from left to right are: Mr. Faris Saeed, CEO of Diamond Developers; Vice Provost for Global Affairs Joanna Regulska; Professor Bryan Jenkins; Distinguished Professor Suad Joseph; Mr. Wassim Aldouni; Executive Director of Diamond Developers; Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi; and CFO David Lawlor.
University of California, Davis Arab Region Chancellor’s Delegation
Diamond Developers Headquarters
Dubai 2014
Pictured from left to right: Distinguished Professor Bryan Jenkins; Vice Chancellor of Research Harris Lewin; Mr. Wassim Aldouni, Executive Director of Diamond Developers; Mr. Faris Saeed, CEO of Diamond Developers; Mr. Emil Samarah, CMO of Diamond Developers; Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi; Ms. Alya Alhamad, Social Sustainability Consultant; Distinguished Professor Suad Joseph; Mr. Brian Azzopardi; Vice Provost William Lacy.
University of California, Davis Arab Region Presidents/Chancellors’ Meeting
Signing of SRTP in Dubai
March 27, 2014
Front row, from left to right: Associate Provost Ted Purington, American University in Cairo; President Khalil Hindi, Birzeit University; Chancellor Linda P. B. Katehi, University of California, Davis; President Peter Dorman, American University of Beirut; Dean George Nasr, School of Engineering, Lebanese American University.
Back row, from left to right: Dean Tarek Shawki, School of Engineering, American University in Cairo (AUC); Mr. Wassim Adlouni, CFO of Diamond Developers; Distinguished Professor Suad Joseph, Founder of UCDAR, Co-PI SRTP, University of California Davis; Vice Chancellor of Research Harry Lewin; Mr. Faris Saeed, CEO of Diamond Developers; Distinguished Professor Bryan Jenkins, Chair, Department of Bio-Agriculture Engineering of UCD, co-PI of SRTP; Vice Provost of University Outreach and International Programs William Lacy; Provost Ahmad Dallal, American University of Beirut; Mr. Fuad Hashwa, Coordinator EU-ERASMUS Mundus, Lebanese American University.