How are UAE Scientists Collaborating with India for the 45th Antarctic Expedition?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Collaboration between UAE and India for Antarctic Expedition.
- Focus on Mars-like landscapes for research.
- Enhances climate research and earth sciences.
- Supports joint scientific missions in Antarctica and Arctic.
- Strengthens presence in polar science.
Abu Dhabi/New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) A collaboration has emerged between scientists from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India for the 45th Antarctic Expedition, as announced by the Indian embassy in the UAE.
A dedicated team from the UAE's Khalifa University has joined India's expedition at the Maitri research station.
This joint initiative focuses on examining Antarctica's extreme, Mars-like terrains to bolster research in polar science and planetary studies. Such collaboration highlights the growing partnership between the two nations in climate research, earth sciences, and space-related studies.
The embassy shared on the social media platform X, stating, "Emirati researchers from Khalifa University joined India's 45th Antarctic Expedition at Maitri station, exploring Antarctica's Mars-like landscapes to advance polar and planetary science."
The focus of the expedition is on the Amery Ice-Shelf/Lambert Glacier off Prydz Bay, developing a multi-institutional program aimed at identifying orogenic and cratonic components for a refined geological correlation between India and Antarctica, as reported by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), which operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
This scientific collaboration is rooted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Emirates Polar Programme and India's NCPOR during the 15th session of the UAE-India Joint Committee Meeting held in December 2024.
The MoU aims to foster collaboration in polar and ocean research.
Moreover, the partnership seeks to support joint scientific missions in Antarctica and the Arctic, promote data sharing, and advance research related to climate change, polar ecosystems, and earth system science.
Launched in 2024, the Emirates Polar Programme is designed to enhance the UAE's role in polar science and focuses on engaging in international polar missions while contributing to global climate action.
By collaborating with India, the UAE aims to deepen its comprehension of polar environments and strengthen international scientific cooperation.