Open Admission
Desert Farming Techniques and Soilless Agriculture
Program Overview
The combination of water scarcity, poor soils, hyper-arid environment and projected climate change impact in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCCCs) constrain local agriculture production in meeting the food demand of the current and growing population. This has raised serious concerns and placed food security as a goal to achieve in most GCC countries. There are various options to achieve food security, including but not limited to local agriculture intensification using technological innovations. Food, energy and water are strongly linked especially in this region. Therefore, the GCC countries have placed water, energy, food, environmental sustainability, and climate change as top priority issues towards achieving sustainable development goals.
The program focuses on these issues by making them core areas of teaching and research to train students to face these challenges. The program is strongly linked to other specializations in the center, in an interdisciplinary educational and research track. The high number of specialized and electives in the curriculum allows students the flexibility to develop an academic program compatible with their personal interests.
Vision
A sustained agricultural sector that overcomes impediments and limitations of natural resources, adopts advanced technologies and emphasizes environmental sustainability while contributing to food security and economy in the GCC countries.
Mission
To enhance the capacity of the GCC countries with highly qualified post-graduates to take leadership role in confronting regional and global issues emanating from food-water-environment sustainability issues through integrating challenging interdisciplinary courses with research skills on advanced agricultural technologies and professional teaching methods.
Program’s Objectives
To build the capacity of the GCC countries in confronting the challenging food security and agricultural sustainability issues through the provision of graduates with;
- Fundamental understanding of current and future constraints facing agricultural production in the GCC countries.
- Ability to conduct research directed towards problem-based solutions and better understanding of issues facing farming techniques under complex food-water-energy interlinkages.
- Knowledge and skills to identify and address critical issues of crop production in the GCC countries.
- Technical skills for sustainable land and water resources management.
- Knowledge required to effectively manage irrigation and drainage techniques to support sustainable agricultural production.
Program’s Outline
The Master of Science is a two-year program organized in 4 semesters (16 weeks duration each). Shared core courses (minimum 5 credit hours), program specialized courses (minimum 16 credit hours) and elective courses (maximum 7 credit hours). A thesis equivalent to 8 credit hours must be completed, approved by the examination committee of internal and external examiners before the final oral evaluation. The courses selection and research project is determined through consultation with supervision committee and approved by the Center’s Council.
The specialized courses offered in the third semester are also available for Master students as recommended by the supervision committee and the approval of the Center’s Council. Elective courses can be selected from the sphere of Technological Studies upon recommendation by the supervision committee and approval of the Center’s Council.
Research areas include: (also in Arabic please)
Methods of Assessment
Summative and formative assessments evaluate students' learning and skills acquisition and academic achievement during the defined instructional period.
Admission Criteria
GCC citizen / Arab residents in GCC countries.
- BSc degree in natural sciences, engineering and technology, agricultural or environmental sciences or management.
- Pass the admission interview.
- English language proficiency (5.5 for IELTS and 500 for TOEFL).