To support continuous cooperation in scientific research in the fields of energy and water, His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, received His Excellency Saeed Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA). The meeting dealt with several topics related to scientific research and the University's role in serving and developing the local community.

Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, attended the meeting along with Dr. Salah Taher, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs; Prof. Abdallah Shanableh, Director of the Institute of Sciences and Engineering Research; Dr. Chaouki Ghenai, Chairman of the Research Funding Department; and several Department Directors at the University of Sharjah.

At the beginning of the meeting, His Excellency the University Chancellor presented the indicators of the continuous development of the University of Sharjah during the past years in various fields, whether in research, education, or teaching. As well as the University's continuous contribution to serving and developing the local community. Through the support and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and the President of the University, the University is now one of the largest universities at the local and regional level and occupies a distinguished position at the global level. This according to the latest classifications and reports issued by many international institutions.

The Chancellor confirmed that the University of Sharjah is now the largest in the UAE in terms of the number of enrolled students – more than (16,500) students at the undergraduate and graduate levels – as well as the number of programs. The University has branches in Khorfakkan, Kalba, Al-Dhaid, and several research institutes in the fields of medicine, health sciences, sciences, engineering, and social sciences. He also addressed the University's achievements in scientific research publications in the most prominent internationally ranked periodicals.

For his part, His Excellency Saeed Sultan Al Suwaidi praised the role of the University of Sharjah in serving the local community and its scientific contribution in the field of applied research directed at the of society. He stressed that there are many opportunities for joint research cooperation between the University and SEWA, especially in the field of renewable and sustainable energy.

During the meeting, Prof. Abdallah Shanableh gave a detailed presentation of several joint research projects currently implemented in the fields of energy and water. The most important of these in the field of water is the research on the movement and quality of sea water around the Hamriyah Water Desalination Plant in Sharjah. A team from the University of Sharjah and the SEWA through developing a hydrodynamic model of water in the area to understand the hydrodynamics, water quality, and potential sources of pollution.

There is also research related to the time-spatial distribution of the levels and quality of groundwater in Sharjah. A team from the University of Sharjah and SEWA was formed to collect data from the available wells in different areas in Sharjah to analyze and prepare it in the form of maps showing the time-spatial distribution of ground water levels and quality. This contributes to the efforts made for the sustainable management of water resources in Sharjah.

The University and SEWA are also to studying the development of "gray water" reuse policies and practices in Sharjah, as gray water recycling reduces the demand for desalination and reduces groundwater consumption. A team is now working to evaluate and develop the water recycling system and to propose appropriate modifications and improvements.

In the field of energy, there are many research projects currently underway by the University's research teams, including the study of a solar-powered chilled air-conditioning system. This with the aim of designing a 10-ton solar heat absorption cooling system in the Emirate of Sharjah through simulation and modeling analysis to improve the cooling solar system. They are also preparing and testing the performance of the system under the weather conditions in Sharjah.

Among the studies presented during the meeting was also the study of the hybrid thermal photovoltaic complex, in accordance with the strategic vision of the United Arab Emirates towards implementing alternative sources of energy. Other studies are also working on converting solar energy into thermal energy or electrical energy, as is the case with the solar heater, solar cooler, concentrated solar power plant (CSP), and photovoltaic energy.

One of the studies is also concerned with the economic, technical, and environmental analysis of drinking air systems (water production from moist air). This is a collaborative research project on the performance and improvement of potable air units under the weather and humid conditions in Sharjah. The project aims to develop a sustainable system to produce fresh and clean drinking water from moist air using a renewable and clean energy system.