Dr. Khalifa Musabeh Ahmed Alteneiji , Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock  stressed the importance of utilizing educational and research institutions in the agricultural and animal field and harnessing those possibilities in the development of agricultural and animal production, aimed at enhancing the self-sufficiency of agricultural crops and livestock products, boosting investments and employing the cutting-edge solutions to raise local production. This came during while H.E. Dr. Khalifa Al-Teneiji, President of the Department, hosting  a delegation from the University of Queensland of Australia at the Maliha Wheat Farm, to strengthen relations with educational institutions, and to explore ways of collaborating in the development of research programmes and activities in seed and agricultural science, and irrigation systems that operate with the latest technology. The delegation included Dr. Muhadtha Al Hashimi - Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority and President of the Academy of Education, Professor Melissa Fitzgerald, Interim Director of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland,  Dr. Warwick Bailey, Professor of Equine Medicine, Veterinary Clinic Science, Washington State University