The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and Al Ain Municipality held a joint press conference to announce the hosting of the third International Conference on Engineering Geophysics from the 11^th to 15^th November, 2015. The press conference was held in the the presence of his Excellency Engineer Suhail Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Infrastructure and Assets at Al Ain Municipality and the Chair of the Conference Higher Committee; Dr. Ahmad Murad, Vice Dean of the College of Science and Deputy Chairman of the Conference Higher Committee and Professor Haydar Baker, Professor of Geology in the College of Science and Chair of the Conference Technical Committee.

Engineer Al Muhairi introduced the importance of Engineering Geophysics and the decision by the Department of Municipal Affairs in Abu Dhabi Emirate to ensure every urban engineering project in the emirate conducts a thorough geophysical study before construction begins. This decision was one of the outcomes of a previous Engineering Geophysics conference and its subsequent recommendations.

Dr. Ahmad Murad said that the conference will see the participation of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, an organization with more than 250,000 members worldwide. This organization promotes scientific research and its participation will help to raise the profile and status of the third International Conference on Engineering Geophysics. He noted a significant increase in the number of working papers and presentations submitted and emphasized the role played by UAEU in promoting and consolidating the values of research and innovation that can contribute to sustainable environmental solutions for the betterment of the wider society.

Dr. Murad also mentioned the launch of an international student research award targeted at university students round the world. This award covers all the various branches of Engineering Geophysics. Dr. Baker emphasized the fact that the delegates will be well versed in the most important techniques used to detect caves and cavities and also learn about how Geophysics can be used in criminal investigation, the detection of antiquities, the discovery of groundwater, soil studies and other practical applications.