Texas A&M University and the University of Haifa announced today their plans to establish a major Mediterranean observatory to capitalize on the oceanographic and atmospheric strengths of the two institutions and build on existing teaching and research in the Gulf of Mexico.

The agreement, totaling more than $5.5 M in initial investments, will be known as the “Texas A&M – University of Haifa Eastern Mediterranean Observatory” (“THEMO”). The observatory will be located at the University of Haifa with its access to critical Mediterranean coastal regions, while drawing on instrumentation and analytical expertise of Texas A&M University faculty and their similar research initiatives in the Gulf of Mexico.

While separated geographically by half a world, the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea are viewed as similar bodies of water and thus provide unique opportunities for comparative analysis of their related impacts on the environment, industry and people of their regions.  

Consul Agranov of the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest United States was at Texas A&M for the formal announcement. Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System John Sharp was among other officials onhand.