UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNIVERSITY ALLOCATES CLOSE TO $1 MILLION TO 104 STUDENTS' RESEARCH PROJECTS ON SUSTAINABILITY

Within the activities of the year of sustainability and the sustainable development goals research program of United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), 104 students’ research projects were launched. This is in line with the UAE’s declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability.

The Office of the Associate Provost for Research at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Research Program to raise awareness about the United Nations SDGs among university students and the community. The program aims to find comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the world's problems and challenges related to sustainability.

Prof. Ahmed Ali Murad, Associate Provost for Research at UAEU presented the program to Innovation@UAE Magazine. He explained that in the second cycle of the program, the university funded 104 research projects at a total budget of

Prof. Ahmed Ali Murad

United Arab Emirates University Associate Provost for Research

3.62 million AED and the participation of 468 students from various colleges.

Prof. Murad stated, “The program is intended to support the national efforts towards COP28 and beyond as well as to raise awareness on the importance of the United Nations SDGs among the university community and the youth. The SDG research program offers students a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on global issues, develop essential skills, and prepare them for future careers that align with their values and aspirations. It is a platform for students to become active contributors to a more sustainable and equitable world.”

The second cycle focused on four SDGs including, quality education, clean water and sanitation, decent work economic growth, and life on land. Of the 104 research projects, those having exceptional outcomes will be chosen for further funding and continued research. Of the funded projects, 32 addressed the fifteenth goal of the SDGs linked to ‹life on land›, 25 focused on the fourth goal related to ‹quality education› and 28 research projects tackled the sixth goal of “clean water and sanitation”. In addition, 11 projects were devoted to the eighth goal of “decent work and economic growth” and 8 projects, addressing common goals, were also funded.

Examples of funded projects include those pertaining to treatment of food waste using two bacterial-algal immobilized bioreactors with recycling by adjusting dissolved oxygen levels, self-sustainable harvesting freshwater system from UAE's humid climate, and advancing clean water production from solar-driven thermal-desalination using novel solar receivers.

Prof. Murad explained, “This program also involves collaboration with other academic institutions and industries. We are ready to provide additional funding that might be needed to advance these outcomes. In addition, some of the projects have been selected for international research collaboration, exhibitions, and conferences.”

As for the future, the UAEU's roadmap towards COP28 and beyond will be focusing on the 13th SDG goal, climate action. As per Prof. Ahmed, the UAE University will expand its SDG program to include collaboration with universities in Egypt, across Africa, and India.

The students of UAEU will continue to apply the gained knowledge and values in their personal and professional lives. They will effectively contribute to the culture of sustainability and climate awareness in society. Several students have already joined environmental organizations and participated in climate activism. Some of them became leaders of sustainable initiatives on campus.