Welcome to the Desert Environment Research Center (DERC) at United Arab Emirates University.
As we embark on this vital journey, our mission is to establish the Center as a leading regional hub for innovative, interdisciplinary research dedicated to the unique challenges of desert and arid environments. At DERC, we recognize that the sustainability of our desert ecosystems and the resilience of our climate are central to the UAE’s national development priorities.
Our research is built on a foundation of interdisciplinary engagement, bringing together expertise from across the university to provide practical solutions for water resources, biodiversity, and sustainable socio-economic development. A key pillar of our strategy is the integration of Geomatics-using GIS, Remote Sensing, and Machine Learning—to monitor land degradation and support data-driven decision-making for our region’s future.
We are committed to building strategic partnerships with national and international leaders to ensure our scientific efforts remain closely aligned with the UAE's environmental and climate goals. Through our upcoming flagship projects and a strong focus on capacity building, we aim to empower a new generation of researchers and students to lead the way in desert science.
Director, Desert Environment Research Center
