Abderrahman Khaleg, left, agricultural advisor to the president of the United Arab Emirates, and Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef exchange gifts Monday evening during a ceremony in the Alumni and Visitors Center. Â鶹´«Ã½ and the United Arab Emirates initiated an agricultural research collaboration, focused on research related to salt-tolerant crops and other agricultural technologies developed in Â鶹´«Ã½' Department of Pomology. During an exchange of gifts, Vanderhoef presented Khaleg with the book Abundant Harvest, about the founding and development of Â鶹´«Ã½. In return, he received several books about the United Arab Emirates and a gold-and-marble clock featuring a camel and date palm, two of the UAE's most prized resources. Â鶹´«Ã½ is a leader in research regarding crops that can be genetically modified for planting in areas that have salty irrigation water and salt-damaged soils.