UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1985-10_Page-007

Board of Trustees -7- October 31, 1985 Chloride Egypt Co. ~.~.~. - The Egyptian Government has taken a decision to halt the import of cheap foreign batteries. The beneficial results of this action will not be felt until 1986/87. Currently the company hopes to complete the current fiscal year at a break-even position. 17. Report of the Desert Committee: Mr. Bacon. Mr. Bacon reported that, as requested by the Desert Committee, the Desert Center had presented a report describing its aims and purposes. Essentially, there are three prime foci of the Center: desert agriculture, desert community development, desert renewable resources. Currently the funding of the Desert Center's activities is covered by a variety of grants. The major source is the "Maxi-linkage" grant which funds the joint activities of the Desert Center and the University of Alexandria. In addition, individual projects are funded by the Near East Foundation, the Canadian International Research and Development Council (IDRC), the Ford Foundation, and private donors. The University provides $170,000 in support of the Center's activities. The 200 acres which the University received from the Egyptian government have been reduced to 25 acres which will be leased for 30 years. The Desert Center Report stressed the need for 4 to 5 full-time positions and housing facilities. The Committee agreed that donors should be found to provide support for these needs. The Committee agreed that the objectives for the Center in the coming years should be to consolidate and stabilize the operation. To this end, it was proposed that a visiting committee for the Desert Center be established to visit the Center at an appropriate time and provide direction and advice. The Board accepted this proposal. 18. Report of the Adult Education Committee: Mrs. Sage. Mrs. Sage reported that Dean of Adult Education, Dr. Ralph Nelson, and AUC Press Director, Mr. Mark Linz, would be leaving the University at the end of the current academic year. Enrollment in DPS is holding at 1984/85 levels. The computer programs have been expanded and the extension operation in Heliopolis continues to do well. The Commercial and Industrial Training Unit (CIT) of the Division of Public Service has expanded its training courses and is expected to produce increased revenue this year. The AUC Press has greatly expanded its operations. More than 25 titles have been added to th