Ecosystem Research Center
Ecological research that brings sustainable communities in the desert to life in Egypt & MENA Region
Heliopolis University’s Ecosystem Research Center, ERC is dedicated to studying the sustainable development tools in regard to climate, water, plants & animals, and the possibility of community development for harsh desert environments.With SEKEM Vision to transform the desert by bringing life, and sustainably developing communities, to it through agricultural activities, HU-ERC plays a pivotal role in the success of currently developed ecosystems in the Oasis Development Project & 13 Villages Initiative.It is also responsible for studying the possibilities of creating new successful ecosystems both locally & globally.
Vision
To become the ecological hub that provides communities with the knowledge & training needed to bring sustainable communities to life in the desert.
Mission
Provide ecological knowledge, in terms of research, applied studies, consults & training, in the desert areas; which consequently help provide necessary conditions for ecosystems to develop in the desert, thus creating sustainable communities.
Development
Tracks
- SEKEM Vision Goals
- SVG 5: Biodynamic & organic agriculture
- SVG 6: Sustainable water management
- SVG 7: Renewable energies
- SVG 8: Rich & resilient biodiversity
- SVG 9: Active climate change mitigation
- UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 6: Clean water & sanitation
- SDG 7: Affordable clean energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable cities & communities
- SDG 13: Climate action
- SDG 14: Life below water
- SDG 14: Life below water
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
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Services
HU-ERC facilitates the field training of interested parties, whether from HU or other organizations, in the ecological development of the currently developing communities in the desert, as well as the exploration of new communities
Since the beginning of SEKEM in 1997, SEKEM ElWahat farm started in the middle of the Eastern Desert, 300 km from Cairo, near to the Bahariya Oasis.
Accordingly, the ElWahat Community was born & continues to be a successful model for a sustainable community in the rural areas of Egypt till the present day, where people work,live, learn & develop together under the framework of SEKEM Vision & UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In collaboration with HU Carbon Footprint Center & Center for Organic Agriculture in Egypt, HU-ERC helps in raising awareness on the transition from traditional to organic agriculture, and the methods required for its development in desert areas.
Through the collaboration of faculty of organic agriculture, HU-ERC explores plant growth and sustainable production in desert areas, thus enabling the development of communities surrounding agricultural activities.
Through the management, monitoring & evaluation of field research in the Egyptian desert, HU-ERC establishes a database for natural resources that helps identify potential growth in desert areas.
HU_ERC is also responsible for publishing & exchanging relevant research on non-traditional energy sources as well as the development of water resources and the rationalization of its consumption; consequently maintaining ecological balance & biodiversity in desert areas
Development
Tracks
- SDG 1: No poverty
- SDG 8 : Decent work & economic growth
- SDG 9: Industry innovation & infrastructure
- SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
- SVG 1: Lifelong learning & potential unfolding
- SVG 10 Circular economy
- SVG 12: ethical finance
- SVG 13: Responsible consumption & sustainable lifestyle
- SVG 14: Integral organizational development & Leadership
- SVG 16: Social transformation