AARSE 2012 was held in El Jadida Morocco, from October 29, to November 2. The conference proceedings took place on the campus of the University of ChouaiDoukkali at El Jadida, in the Faculty of Sciences, located just minutes from downtown. Approximately 450 to 500 participants were present at this year's conference. Earth Observation & Geoinformation Sciences for Environment and Development in Africa: Global vision and Local Action Synergy was the theme of this year conference.

ECSU graduate student Patrina Bly presents her research titled: "The Applicability of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing in Identifying Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers sources using NOAA National Status & Trends Mussel Watch Program Data"

Throughout the week the conference agenda was filled with plenary sessions from invited keynote speakers, exhibits from sponsoring agencies, oral talks and poster presentations. On Tuesday, October 30, 2012, Patrina Bly presented her research titled, The Applicability of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing in Identifying Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers sources using NOAA National Status & Trends Mussel Watch Program Data. She spoke on applying methods of water quality testing to the African Continent by means of a global expansion the U.S. mussel watch program overseen by NOAA. Through out the week presentations were also given by ECSU sponsored individuals from select African Universities. Titled talks included: Possible collapse of the Sardinella fishery in the Gulf of Guinea as a result of global climate change, presented by Kwaume Agyeku and Assessing and Modeling Flood Disaster Using Remote Sensing and GIS presented by Dr. Peter Nwilo. On Thursday, invited students had the opportunity to present their research during the poster session. Over 40 students from across the African continent presented research bases on their remote sensing and GIS studies.

On Wednesday night, a Gala dinner was held in the heart of the city at a historical riad, a traditional Moroccan home. The "feast" highlighted Moroccan culture, and gave insight into the traditions and many customs of the country. Through the night, various different performances of song and dance displayed the country's' customs, and promoted their traditional way of life. On Friday, the conference concluded with an awards ceremony, and closing remarks from AARSE organizers. AARSE 2012 participants were encouraged to continue their Remote Sensing and GIS studies and reconvene in 2014 at the 10th biennial AARSE conference to be held in the South Africa.