Al Ain, UAE: Based on the United Arab Emirates declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has promoted the concept of sustainability in all sectors. The UAEU has recently established an integrated infrastructure to achieve a balance between economic and social development while ensuring environmental sustainability. The Research Office of UAEU established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Research Program, which aims to raise awareness about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) among university students and the community. The program also aims to find comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the world's problems and challenges. It attempts to improve students' research abilities so that they can be active members of their society.
Prof. Ahmed Ali Murad, Associate Provost for Research, emphasized that the UAEU works to strengthen its participation and interaction with the community by promoting initiatives to establish research projects addressing the seventeen SDGs. Within the second cycle pf the program, the university announced the funding of 104 research projects with the participation of 468 students from various colleges. The fact that this session is taking place in the Year of Sustainability shows the value of the university's efforts to assist in the development of scientific solutions to issues relating SDGs.
Prof. Ahmed Murad elabrated that the remarkable success of the first cycle of the program led to the launch of the second cycle, which focused on four different SDGs: the fourth goal of quality education, the sixth goal of clean water and sanitation, the eighth goal of decent work and economic growth, and the fifteenth goal of life on land.
Prof. Ahmed also noted that the 104 research projects include 32 research projects that support the fifteenth goal of the SDGs linked to 'life on land', 25 research projects were funded that support the fourth goal related to “quality education’' and 28 research projects supporting the sixth goal of “clean water and sanitation”, 11 projects supporting the eighth goal of “decent work and economic growth”. In addition, 8 other projects, supporting common goals, were funded.
