Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, ensuring the conservation of life on land. In Dubai, a city characterized by rapid urbanization and development, preserving biodiversity and the natural environment is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring a sustainable future.
Life on Land in Dubai:
Dubai is committed to addressing the challenges of SDG 15, despite its urban landscape. The city recognizes the importance of conserving its unique desert ecosystems, oases, and natural habitats. Dubai’s government has implemented initiatives to protect its natural heritage and promote sustainable land management.
CUD’s Commitment to SDG 15:
The Canadian University Dubai (CUD) actively contributes to the preservation of life on land through its campus initiatives and community engagement efforts:
Campus Initiatives:
Green Spaces: CUD maintains green spaces on its campus, creating a conducive environment for biodiversity to thrive, and ensuring sustainable landscaping practices.
Sustainable Architecture: The university may adopt sustainable architectural designs that minimize the environmental impact of its buildings and infrastructure, such as using energy-efficient materials and techniques.
Environmental Education: CUD integrates environmental education into its curriculum, raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity and land conservation among students.
Community Engagement:
Reforestation Projects: CUD may engage in reforestation and afforestation projects in collaboration with local environmental organizations to restore natural habitats in Dubai’s surroundings.
Biodiversity Workshops: The university organizes workshops and seminars open to the general community that focus on biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, and wildlife protection.
Community Cleanup Initiatives: CUD encourages students and the wider community to participate in land cleanup initiatives, removing litter and debris from natural areas to prevent pollution.
Research and Conservation: CUD’s faculty and researchers engage in research projects related to land conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable land use practices, contributing to the knowledge base on these topics.
Through these initiatives, CUD supports SDG 15 by actively participating in the conservation and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems. The university contributes to Dubai’s commitment to protecting its natural landscapes, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring the sustainable use of land resources. CUD’s efforts not only benefit the campus environment but also foster a culture of environmental responsibility and conservation within the broader community.
Sustainable Agriculture
Farouk Dalhatu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer and Networking Engineering Technology from CUD and is presently pursuing an MBA. During his degree at CUD Farouk participated in UAE competitions, designing innovative concepts to merge advanced technology and automation with precision farming techniques.
As the founder of Alzira’a Tech, he is revolutionizing sustainable agriculture by providing services including advisory support, hardware solutions and a management application, aimed to boost farming yields through best practices. This transition can enhance farming methods, cultivating growth through organic and sustainable agricultural methods.
National Workshop on Challenges of Creating Green Landscape in the UAE Held at Canadian Univeristy of Dubai
HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum attends ‘Landscaping of UAE Cities’ event along with experts in fields of environment and architecture
Dubai, UAE, February 20, 2013:The challenges of creating a green landscape and ensuring the UAE’s cities are environmentally sustainable were debated by key decision makers in the worlds of environment and architecture at the Canadian University Dubai.
With the region’s construction industry on the rise, it is becoming increasingly important to find ways to take on these challenges.
The event was organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who attended and participated in the event. The Canadian University Dubai and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture Dubai were co-hosts. Speaking at the opening, Dr Karim Cheli, President of the Canadian University Dubai, said: “It is an honour to have His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum participate in this.
“A sustainable and green landscape is an important component in every city’s architecture and urbanization, mainly because of the contribution to a healthy living environment. This event allowed us to discuss the issues involved, and encourage further research and action.”
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of ICBA stressed: “‘The water scarcity is a core development issue in UAE. Right now, 11% of the total water use in the country is dedicated to landscaping and this rate is on the rise, as the urban population is growing.
Managing landscapes especially in arid and hyper-arid environments such as UAE is a real challenge, and requires innovative approaches, such as using the right plants which are drought, heat and salt tolerant; using the right irrigation technologies, and safe use of treated waste water. Within this context, native plants have great role to play in UAE cities landscaping” Various researchers from the Canadian University Dubai and the ICBA presented papers and spoke on their areas of expertise. Architecture students from the Canadian University Dubai also had the opportunity to present their work on this issue. His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum also presented a series of awards to students.
CUD students accompany Minister of Climate Change and Environment during Bio Farm field trip
April 22nd, 2019: Students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) got the chance to accompany His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, on a two-hour educational tour during their recent field trip to Emirates Bio Farm in Al Ain.
Organized by Dr. Rami El Khatib, Associate Professor and Dean of Student Affairs, the field trip aimed to introduce senior students from CUD’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences to the principles of organic farming and the best practices in agriculture and integrated pest management, with a focus on maintaining a clean environment and preserving biodiversity.
Visiting the facility at the same time, His Excellency Dr. Thani and his team interacted with CUD students while they observed the various growing and harvesting activities taking place across the farm. Speaking about the experience, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Management student, Shaikha Mohammed, said, “This visit revealed to me why bio farming is so important, not just from an environmental perspective, but also in terms of food safety and health.
“We learned about the practices followed in greenhouses, while having the opportunity to harvest different organic vegetables and fruits. It was a great honor for us to accompany His Excellency Dr. Thani during the tour as he shared his own personal insights and experiences with us, and encouraged us to pursue research that will help to promote the UAE bio farming industry.”
Dr. Rami El Khatib, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, concluded, “We are privileged to have so many facilities in the UAE that are at the forefront of their industry in the environmental and health sciences, as well as a Ministry that is actively supporting this progressive work. We are very grateful to His Excellency Dr. Thani for sharing his knowledge and adding great value to the students’ learning experience during our visit.”
CUD Student Duo Win Funding for Environmental Health Project
October 15th, 2018 World Trade Centre: Two of Canadian University Dubai’s most talented and inventive Environmental Health students participated in the “Seeds of the Future” competition hosted by Huawei. They competed against 50 other inventors vying for worldwide recognition and were awarded funding of AED 25,000 to bring their project to life.
The event, which was held in cooperation with the Federal Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, reached out to young minds in a bid to inspire innovation in the field of Environmental Health Management.
The competition took place over a 6 month period and among the original fifty entries from different educational institutions in the UAE, the CUD team was selected to be among the sixteen teams in the second round which was then trimmed to six teams in the third and final round.
Each of the six finalists received funding, and CUD’s own Maha Talli and Maitha Almarzooqi were one of them.
The team was supported by Dr. Yassen Alfoteih, Assistant Professor, who specializes in Environmental Biology. All hypothesis testing, technical support and portfolio were carried out at CUD science labs designed to find an effective, easy, cheap and practical product along with a phone app. to check the purity of drinking water
Maha Talli, when describing the motivation behind embarking on this competition said, “developing the App and seeing it come to life inspired me greatly because I knew that it would help save lives. Over 844 million people lack safe drinking water, a commodity we all take for granted, so this invention is my way of giving back and appreciating the little things that make all the difference.”
Water has no monetary valuation and many countries in the world facing scarcity and water stress. Moreover, declining water quality has become a global issue of concern as human populations grow, industrial and agricultural activities expand, and climate change threatens to cause major alterations to the hydrological cycle.
CUD should be proud of our students and wish them good fortune in the final leg of their journey as they use the funding to bring their invention to life and see it used in impoverished areas of Africa, South America, the Middle East, and beyond.
World Environment Day
Here at Canadian University Dubai, we celebrate this important day and work hard to push for a greener future by implementing sustainability around our uni and encouraging our students, faculty and staff to lead a green life.
CUD Partners with UPEI to offer Unique Degree Program in Environment and Climate Change
Canadian University Dubai Partners with University of Prince Edward Island to offer Unique Dual Degree Program in Environment and Climate Change
January 9th, 2019: In an exciting and innovative extension to its existing transfer arrangements with the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has signed an agreement that will enable students in the UAE to complete a unique dual degree program combining environmental studies and climate change.
The agreement, which was signed recently by CUD Chancellor, Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, and President and Vice Chancellor of UPEI, Dr. Alaa Abd El-Aziz, allows students to undertake two years’ study in CUD’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Management program and then transfer to Canada where they can complete their studies in environment and climate change at UPEI. The student can also finish their degree in Dubai and graduate with a dual recognition.
This new collaboration will further cement CUD’s ties with the Maritime Province’s premier higher education institution and lays the foundations for the development of a co-degree combining environmental studies, environmental sciences and climate change, which students could complete either in Dubai or in Canada.
Established in 1969, UPEI has developed a growing reputation as a leader in education, research, innovation and academic excellence. The institution is among several Universities in Canada that hold a general partnership agreement with CUD, providing for a range of different collaboration opportunities, including student transfer and further education.
The initiative will also advance CUD’s strategic approach to supporting the UAE National Climate Change Plan, which calls for the reorientation and upgrading of higher education curricula to prepare the future workforce for the green economy.
On signing the agreement, CUD Chancellor, Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, said that at a time when climate change was a major issue for our world, the introduction of this innovative UPEI program to the University’s existing Environmental Studies portfolio would offer students an exciting new career pathway and enhance CUD’s reputation as an institution committed to providing relevant educational opportunities for society in the 21st Century.
Speaking after the ceremony, Dr. Alaa said this agreement was a wonderful opportunity for Dubai students to come to Canada and experience the welcoming atmosphere of a Canadian Institution, where they would immediately feel at home. Reflecting on his own experience of CUD, where he is always warmly received, he added that students from Canada who wished to study at CUD would feel the same.
Global Climate Change Conference Opens at CUD
The Global Climate Change conference began with an opening ceremony attended by government representatives, members of the Canadian diplomatic community and guest speakers from Canada and beyond.
Opening the ceremony, His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE, spoke about the UAE government’s plans to address global issues.
Professor Alaa Abd El Aziz, President of the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, also addressed the audience. The University of Prince Edward Island (UPE) is co-hosting the conference with CUD.
A Memorandum of Understanding signed by Dr. Karim Chelli, President and Vice Chancellor of CUD, and Professor Alaa Abd-El Aziz outlines the cooperation between CUD and UPE and includes the proposed launch of new joint degree programs related to a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Climate Change and Adaptation.
Among the keynote speakers was Dr. Francisco Dallmeier, Senior Conservation Biologist and Director of the Smithsonian Center for Conservation and Sustainability, who spoke about “global diversity conservation under a changing climate.”
He was followed by Dr. Daniel Scott, Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management and Executive Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change at the University of Waterloo, who addressed “global climate change and sustainable tourism.”
Finally, Ms. Mashael Al Ansari, Climate Change Specialist from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the UAE, gave a presentation about “the climate change opportunities and challenges in the UAE.” She is currently pursuing her MBA at CUD.
Over the next few days, a series of keynote speakers from Canada will address other issues surrounding climate change.
The three-day conference, which focuses on the challenges and opportunities of climate change, biodiversity and sustainability, is sponsored by Emirates and Air Canada.
Global Climate Change Conference Hosted by CUD Comes to an End
April 29th, 2018: At the closing ceremony of a very successful conference on Global Climate Change, President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Karim Chelli issued a challenge to the CUD community: to take an active role in fighting climate change.
In his closing speech, Dr. Karim said: “Over the past few days, we have re-focused on issues surrounding climate change, which affects us all. We all have a role to play in preserving our planet, nations, organizations and above all individuals. Make no mistake; if each one of us plays our small part, then cumulatively we will make a difference.”
He added: “I pay tribute to our keynote speakers. Nobody here can fail to be impressed by your passion and dedication to your subjects. You have all given us much food for thought and you have presented us with a challenge which I now pass on to our University family.”
In emphasizing our relationship with the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), Dr. Karim, recognizing UPEI as the main force behind the conference, highlighted the opportunities for cooperation in the future. He referred in particular to our new joint Bachelor of Environmental Studies and Bachelor of Science in Applied Climate Change and Adaptation programs which he cited as a “direct response to the issues we face, and which would be a driver for a relationship that would continue to grow with further initiatives in the pipeline.”
In response, Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President of the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada thanked CUD for its hospitality and for co-hosting the conference. He feels that in order to find global solutions to climate change problems, it is essential for people of goodwill to come together. He commented on the audience’s reaction and seeing the many conversations being generated throughout the breaks and cited this as a mark of success of the conference. He wished CUD well and looks forward to implementing the initiatives outlined in the University’s MoU with UPEI.
Announcement Falling Walls Lab Dubai
At the end of the ceremony, Professor David Santandreu Cologne, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Arts and Sciences, announced the launch of: “Falling Walls Lab Dubai.”
The aim of the Falling Walls Lab is to foster scientific and entrepreneurial innovations and to promote the exchange between outstanding scholars and professionals emerging from different fields of expertise worldwide.
Entrants will be required to present their research project, business plan or social initiative – in just 3 minutes!
Winners will be selected by a jury and will travel to Germany among 100 finalists for the global Lab Finale in Berlin on 8 November.
The Falling Walls Lab Dubai takes place on September 30th, 2018 at CUD. Applications can be submitted online until September 9th, 2018
CUD will be the only institution to host a Falling Walls Lab in Dubai.
For more information, visit the links:
CUD Professor Takes Climate Change Message to Dubai Youth
Dr. Rami El Khatib, Associate Professor in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) had been discussing the issues associated with global climate change at a recent conference hosted by the North American International School.
Under the theme ‘Change Climate Change – Road to Marrakech Conference’ Dr. El Khatib delivered a keynote speech at the youth-focused event, which was organized by Green Hope UAE. He was also called upon to join the judging panel for the environmental competitions that took place alongside the Conference.
The event was organized in the run up to the 22nd session of the United Nations Conference of the Parties, which will take place in November in Marrakech, with the aim of addressing issues of global climate change. Bringing together students from schools across Dubai, it aimed to unite young people in developing a shared vision for a sustainable future.
Dr. El Khatib said, “The consequences of climate change have a direct impact on the future of young people and therefore it is important to engage them from an early age in developing solutions and implementing action that will help to mitigate the effect of this global challenge.”
CUD students accompany Minister of Climate Change and Environment during Bio Farm field trip
April 22nd, 2019: Students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) got the chance to accompany His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, on a two-hour educational tour during their recent field trip to Emirates Bio Farm in Al Ain.
Organized by Dr. Rami El Khatib, Associate Professor and Dean of Student Affairs, the field trip aimed to introduce senior students from CUD’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences to the principles of organic farming and the best practices in agriculture and integrated pest management, with a focus on maintaining a clean environment and preserving biodiversity.
Visiting the facility at the same time, His Excellency Dr. Thani and his team interacted with CUD students while they observed the various growing and harvesting activities taking place across the farm. Speaking about the experience, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Management student, Shaikha Mohammed, said, “This visit revealed to me why bio farming is so important, not just from an environmental perspective, but also in terms of food safety and health.
“We learned about the practices followed in greenhouses, while having the opportunity to harvest different organic vegetables and fruits. It was a great honor for us to accompany His Excellency Dr. Thani during the tour as he shared his own personal insights and experiences with us, and encouraged us to pursue research that will help to promote the UAE bio farming industry.”
Dr. Rami El Khatib, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, concluded, “We are privileged to have so many facilities in the UAE that are at the forefront of their industry in the environmental and health sciences, as well as a Ministry that is actively supporting this progressive work. We are very grateful to His Excellency Dr. Thani for sharing his knowledge and adding great value to the students’ learning experience during our visit.”
Happy Earth Day!
At CUD we treat everyday like it’s Earth Day!