The students at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah are in plans to develop sustainable and zero-energy homes by 2018. The plans were made as part of the UAE Solar Decathlon Middle East. AURAK has already began the process by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the provider of energy efficiency and renewable sources systems. German company Neon Energy Green Building Construction Materials inked the MoU with AURAK, and the agreement ensures the latter's student team receives training, support, and technology for its participation in the event. The collaboration will also focus on research studies, through the university's RAK Research and Innovation Centre (RAKRIC). The Research centre -RAKRIC specialises in harnessing solar energy for tasks such as cooling and water desalination. The university hopes to be showcase it’s advance technologies with the project. "This competition puts AURAK in the spotlight, so we are striving to ensure that our team has world-class expertise and state-of-the-art technology”, said Prof Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, president of AURAK to the news agency