UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1986-02_Page-033

, • • Tuesday MINUTES THE DESERT CENTER COMMITTEE THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO 10:00 a.m. February 3, 1986 Trustees Room Present: Mr . Hannon, Mr. Crary, Mr. Bacon, Dr. Lamont, Dr. Pedersen, Dr. El Ezabi, Mr. Snaith, Mr. Richey, Dr. Bishay, Dr. Lakany. Mrs. Saad-El-Din 1. The minutes of the October 30, 1985 meeting were approved. 2. The agenda was approved. Dr. Bishay suggested that "objectives and administration of the Center" be added as an agenda item. 3. Dr. Bishay presented a general report summarizing acti­vities of the Desert Center. He stressed tangible short­term objectives and methodologies of the projects run by th e Center. 4. 5. Mr. Hannon commented on the Center's multidisciplinary approach to integrate biological and technological strategies to design cost effective agricultural practices. He inquired whether the Center was going off to too many directions. According to Drs. Bishay and Lakany the Center seeks to develop integrated agricultural systems involving crops, soils and water as well as animal husbandry. Accordingly, its activities are largely interdisciplinary. Also, such an expansion is a necessary step that preceeds the narrow­ing down to the most economically viable agricultural practices that could be replicable in other desert communities in Egypt. It is that aspect, Dr. Bishay says, that distinguishes AUC Desert Center from Ain Shams Center which is only academically oriented. Mr. Hannon recommended that the Center continue in the area of renewable energy where the resources are abundant in the desert. Visiting Committee Plans Dr. Bishay welcomed the decision to host a visiting com­mittee of experts in desert development and related interests to evaluate the Center and its activities and make recommendations. He felt the members should be of outstanding quality