SHARJAH, The Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) announced an increase in participation in the 11th session of the Sharjah Sustainability Award for 2022-2023, with 485 entries received from university students, colleges, and government, private and foreign schools from different regions of the country, and youth centres in Sharjah.
Attracting and highlighting innovative, creative projects, independent activities, and scientific and environmental research
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the EPAA, said, “The increased turnout and participation in this annual award confirms its commitment to its environmental and educational mission. It continues to attract and highlight creative talent, innovative projects, independent activities, and scientific and environmental research from students and members of the two administrative bodies. Teaching in universities and schools and working to invest in the rich and qualitative ideas they bring to promote a sustainable environment in the UAE helps enrich environmentally-friendly practices inside and outside educational institutions.”
Al Suwaidi stressed that such environmental initiatives are in line with the vision and directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, regarding the need to develop projects to protect the environment, preserve biodiversity, and serve people by providing a safe and sustainable future.
311 entries from university and college students and 174 entries from school students
In its two main categories, “green schools” and “universities”, 311 entries were received from university and college students and 174 from school students across the UAE.
The EPAA is keen to develop the award periodically by extending the scope to include students of all disciplines in higher education institutions, universities, colleges, and institutes in the UAE. This reflected positively in achieving an increase in the total number of entries from students at the University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah, Al Qasimia University, and Skyline University College in Sharjah, as well as Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi University, Ajman University, Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi, British University in Dubai and Higher Colleges of Technology.
9 categories fall into six domains for university category
Entries were divided into nine categories within six key domains: Sustainable design and construction, Scientific Research in sustainability, Applications of artificial intelligence in sustainability, Preserving and protecting environmental resources, Future energy and emissions, and Sustainability in protecting human health and the environment.
Diverse participation from 174 public, private and foreign schools and centres competing in 13 categories over 7 domains
The current session also witnessed the diverse participation of 174 public, private and foreign schools and centres from the emirates of Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Ras al Khaimah, Fujairah, and its affiliated cities and regions in environmental innovator, creative writing for a short story in Arabic and English, environmental project in artificial intelligence, short film, sustainable environmental application project, the rationalisation of electric energy and water and the green school. Nominations were also received in the Distinguished Teacher Award category and nominations from members of the administrative and teaching staff of the schools in the Distinguished School Award category for the green school domain.
Entry to the awards was closed on October 2022. Initial evaluation of the projects and nominations will begin, with distinguished projects sorted according to how they meet the conditions and criteria of the award. This process will be followed by a final evaluation conducted by members of the project arbitration team during March and April 2023.
The evaluation process will also include field visits, meetings with stakeholders in schools and universities, and the organisation of an exhibition of university students’ projects, where the winners’ names will be announced and honoured during a closing ceremony held at the end of May 2023.
Source: Emirates News Agency