Climate Conference
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), happening in Expo City, Dubai, and hosted by the United Arab Emirates, continues to unite global efforts to curtail carbon emissions. It convenes parties who have signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, offering a platform to assess advancements made towards tackling climate change.
University participation in climate events like COP28 deepens understanding of climate challenges and fosters a pragmatic global vision.
The Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, driven by the desire for meaningful participation in national and international dialogues on topics significant to its constituents and leaders, sees COP28 as an opportunity to enhance collaboration with researchers and experts from around the world.
This forum allows the exchange of ideas and knowledge while inspiring and encouraging the youth to develop environmental awareness and adopt sustainable practices to achieve environmental conservation.
The University’s Road to the Climate Conference
The Sustainable University Initiative
The Sustainable University Initiative seeks to empower students to advocate for positive transformation, specifically within the scope of the university campus and broadly in society. This initiative aims to tap into the forward-thinking, innovative ideas of the youth related to critical areas including climate change, efficient utilization of natural resources, and economic and societal matters. The objective is to harness the dynamism of the youth and direct it towards shaping a brighter future for universities and communities.
- حرصًا من إدارة الجامعة على توفير بيئة جامعية مستدامة، فقد تَقرّر تشكيلُ فريقِ عملٍ للتحضير لمشاركة الجامعة في مؤتمر "الإمارات للمناخ وذلك بهدف وضع خطة للمشاركة العلمية قبل وأثناء انعقاد المؤتمر، وتشجيع ومتابعة جهود البحث العلمي لأعضاء الهيئة التدريسيّة في الجامعة التي تقوم على الرّبط بين مجال العلوم الإنسانية والاجتماعية ومجال المناخ وتحقيق الاستدامة، هذا بالإضافة إلى تشجيع ودعم الأنشطة الطلابية في مجال المحافظة على المناخ وتحقيق الاستدامة. ومن هذا المنطلق تم تأسيس نادي البيئة والإستدامة في مـايو 2023 تحت إشراف د. هبة أحمد غانم، وبلغ عدد الطلبة المشاركين فيه 44 طالبًا، وهو عدد قابل للزيادة.
- أهداف النادي:
- دعم وتعزيز دور مؤسّسات الدولة محليًّا وعالميًّا في مجال الاستدامة والمحافظة على بيئة دولة الامارات.
- إكساب الطلبة القيم والسلوكيات الإيجابية والسليمة تجاه البيئة والطبيعة بما يساهم في حمايتهما.
- استثمار طاقات وإمكانيات أعضاء النادي وطلبة الجامعة في ترسيخ السلوك البيئي السليم.
- المشاركة في المحافل المحلية والعالمية الداعمة للبيئة ووسائل المحافظة عليها.
Sustainability Club
Student Activities
- Night of Ideas: In association with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and French institutes, our students advocate for reduced plastic use and innovation in waste management.
- Energy Leadership Symposium: In collaboration with Total, the French Institute, and Khalifa University, students will play a pivotal role in organizing this symposium to promote energy conservation.
- Learning from "Farz": Our students will gain hands-on experience at the "Farz" waste management facility, studying the Dubai Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021–2041 to understand waste segregation and recycling promotion in society.
- Green June Initiative: As part of this initiative, our students will contribute to carbon sequestration by planting mangrove trees.
- Recycling Lecture: Teaming up with the Friends of the Environment Association, our students will participate in a public lecture on recycling to bolster sustainability culture.
- AI for the Environment Workshop: Recognizing the importance of technology, our students will conduct a workshop exploring the use of artificial intelligence for environmental challenges.
- Podcasts and Visual Media: By engaging in visual and audio activities, our students will promote sustainability, enhance their research skills, and hone their media interaction abilities.
Lectures/Seminars/Forums
- Sustainability Forum: In this gathering for university partners, we'll spotlight initiatives by organizations taking a diversified approach to income sources.
- Women in Sustainability: This forum will focus on the crucial role of women in achieving sustainability. It's a platform designed for knowledge sharing and discussing strategies to boost sustainable education.
- Our School is Sustainable: This forum aims to educate students on the importance of eco-friendly practices for preserving our environment.
- Emirates: A Gateway to Hope: This dialogue session will highlight UAE's outstanding achievements in sustainability and environmental conservation, fostering positive engagement and inspiration.
- Student Creativity - Make Your University More Sustainable: This symposium will give students a platform to actively contribute towards transforming the university into a greener institution.
- 1st Forum for Green Programs in Education: In collaboration with Zayed University and the Environment Agency, we are organizing this forum to equip educators with ways to incorporate sustainability into their teaching.
- Cultural Sustainability for a Better Life: Hosted in partnership with the Sultan Al Owais Foundation at Zayed University's headquarters, this intellectual event will focus on strengthening cooperation for a sustainable future on both national and global levels.
Introducing the Dictionary of Human and Sustainable Development, which aims to refine its terminology, thereby enriching the Arabic language for both native and non-native speakers. This effort also seeks to encourage present and future generations to propose community-driven initiatives.
Sustainability Dictionary
A youth program that presents and discusses topics related to sustainability and climate change, and how the university’s expertise in the humanities can be leveraged to make an impact. This is part of the university’s participation at COP28, which is being hosted by the UAE. The podcast is presented by distinguished university students and supervised by academic experts who specialize in environment and sustainability.
Estidama Podcast Initiative
Conferences
- Enhancing Climate Action: The university is presenting a research paper titled, "Enhancing Climate Action Through Youth Empowerment and Environmental Education - Visions of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities."
- Sustainability in UAE Education: We are disseminating a research paper which explores, "The Impact of Sustainability on Higher Education Institutions in the United Arab Emirates."
- The Founding Leader's Efforts: We have contributed a research paper known as, "The Efforts of the Founding Leader in Sustainable Development in the United Arab Emirates," published in the Journal of University of Jordan Studies.
- Sharia Rulings on Environment: The university is also circulating a research paper titled, "Sharia Rulings on Environmental Issues and Their Sustainability," featured in the Journal of Islamic Studies at the Islamic University in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Climate Conference Contributions
- Climate Ambassadors Program: Our students will be a part of this program, a collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the "Expo Program for Schools." This initiative aims to immerse UAE students in the challenges, policies, and procedures integral to combating climate change, guaranteeing a brighter future for the world.
- COP Simulation Program: Students will participate in this simulated program at the British University in Egypt, designed to equip youth with the necessary tools to effectively combat climate change.
- Intercollegiate Environmental Public Speaking Competition: University students will also engage in this competition, hosted alongside the Emirates Environmental Working Group. This event allows international undergraduate students from across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to creatively showcase their public speaking skills.
University Sustainability Week Initiatives
- Plastic Free Day: A one-of-akind initiative where we replaced all office plastic water bottles with recyclable ones, distributing them among students to promote reduced plastic usage.
- Fortress, O Homeland Initiative: Launched by the students of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, this environmental pledge aims to boost awareness among students and staff about preserving the environment and natural resources in the UAE.
- Green Initiative: We planted 600 seedlings forming the letters of our university's name, demonstrating our commitment to enhancing ecological awareness and making our campus more sustainable.
- Arej Sustainability Perfumes Without Alcohol Workshop: We hosted a unique workshop to educate students about the environmental impacts of reducing alcohol production and the subsequent benefits to skin health.
Climate Conference Contributions
- Climate Ambassadors Program: Our students will be a part of this program, a collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the "Expo Program for Schools." This initiative aims to immerse UAE students in the challenges, policies, and procedures integral to combating climate change, guaranteeing a brighter future for the world.
- COP Simulation Program: Students will participate in this simulated program at the British University in Egypt, designed to equip youth with the necessary tools to effectively combat climate change.
- Intercollegiate Environmental Public Speaking Competition: University students will also engage in this competition, hosted alongside the Emirates Environmental Working Group. This event allows international undergraduate students from across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to creatively showcase their public speaking skills.