Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. In the context of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this goal holds particular significance due to the rapid urbanization and growth experienced by the region over the past few decades. The UAE, especially Dubai, has become a global hub for business, tourism, and innovation. With such rapid development, there is an urgent need to ensure that this growth is sustainable, equitable, and environmentally responsible.
Challenges and Opportunities in Dubai and the UAE:
- Rapid Urbanization: Dubai has witnessed a remarkable transformation from a small fishing village to a global metropolis in just a few decades. This rapid urbanization has put pressure on resources, infrastructure, and social systems, making it crucial to adopt sustainable urban planning practices.
- Environmental Concerns: The arid climate and high energy consumption in the UAE have raised concerns about water scarcity, waste management, and carbon emissions. Addressing these environmental issues is central to achieving sustainability.
- Social Inclusion: Dubai is a diverse and multicultural city with a large expatriate population. Ensuring social inclusion and equality of opportunities for all residents is essential for sustainable development.
- Resilience: The UAE is vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events. Building resilience in cities and communities is critical to mitigate risks and adapt to changing climate patterns.
Canadian University of Dubai (CUD) and SDG 11:
The Canadian University of Dubai (CUD) is a notable institution in Dubai that has recognized the importance of contributing to SDG 11 and sustainable development in the region. Here are some ways in which CUD is addressing the goal:
- Curriculum Integration: CUD has integrated sustainability principles into its curriculum. This includes offering courses and programs related to sustainable urban planning, environmental science, and social inclusion. By educating the future leaders and professionals of Dubai, CUD is fostering a culture of sustainability.
- Research and Innovation: CUD promotes research in areas of sustainability and urban development. Faculty and students engage in research projects that aim to address the specific challenges faced by Dubai and the UAE, such as sustainable architecture, renewable energy, and urban resilience.
- Community Engagement: CUD recognizes the importance of engaging with the local community. The university organizes events, seminars, and workshops to raise awareness about sustainability issues and to involve the community in sustainable initiatives.
- Green Campus Initiatives: CUD is taking steps to reduce its own environmental footprint. This includes energy-efficient building designs, waste reduction programs, and sustainable transportation options for students and staff.
- Partnerships: CUD collaborates with local government agencies, businesses, and NGOs to work collectively on sustainability projects and initiatives that align with SDG 11. Such partnerships allow for a broader and more impactful approach to addressing sustainability challenges.
In conclusion, Dubai and the UAE are at a critical juncture in their development journey, and achieving SDG 11 is paramount for the well-being of their residents and the sustainability of their cities. The Canadian University of Dubai’s commitment to integrating sustainability into education, research, and community engagement plays a significant role in advancing the goal of creating sustainable cities and communities in this dynamic region. Through education, research, and collaboration, CUD is contributing to Dubai’s transformation into a more sustainable and resilient city for the future.
Student Transportation
Canadian University Dubai also offers Transportation from Ajman and Sharjah on a schedule.
The fees are as follows: • AED 2,200 per semester per student from/or to Sharjah or Ajman. Additionally, there are several metro stations nearby, and ample parking is available for students wishing to drive.
Shuttle Bus: Canadian University Dubai also offers a shuttle bus from Dubai Mall metro station – City Walk – Dubai Mall metro station every hour.
Transportation
CUD Bus from Dubai Mall to City Walk
| Metro station | City Walk |
| 8:30AM | 9:00AM |
| 9:30AM | 10:00AM |
| 10:30AM | 11:00AM |
| 11:30AM | 12:00PM |
| 12:30PM | 1:00PM |
| 1:30PM | 2:00PM |
| 2:30PM | 3:00PM |
| 3:30PM | 4:00PM |
| 4:30PM | 5:00PM |
| 5:30:PM | 6:00PM |
| 6:30PM | 7:00PM |
| 7:30PM | 8:00PM |
| 8:30PM | 9:00PM |
CUD Bus from City Walk to Dubai Mall
| Metro station | City Walk |
| 9:00AM | 9:30AM |
| 10:00AM | 10:30AM |
| 11:00AM | 11:30AM |
| 12:00PM | 12:30PM |
| 1:00PM | 1:30PM |
| 2:00PM | 2:30PM |
| 3:00PM | 3:30PM |
| 4:00PM | 4:30PM |
| 5:00PM | 5:30:PM |
| 6:00PM | 6:30PM |
| 7:00PM | 7:30PM |
| 8:00PM | 8:30PM |
| 9:00PM | 9:30PM |
Sharjah & Ajman
| CANADIAN UNIVERSITY DUBAI TO Sharjah/Ajman | |
| 1st Trip | 12:00PM |
| 2nd Trip | 3:00 PM |
| 3rd Trip | 6:00 PM |
| 4th Trip | 9:00 PM |
Friday
| CANADIAN UNIVERSITY DUBAI TO Sharjah/Ajman | |
| 1st Trip | 12:15PM |
Childhood Happiness Key to Urban Development
Canadian University Dubai Associate Professor for the Faculty of Architecture and Design, Dr. Hoshiar Nooraddin, recently presented a paper on “Childhood Happiness as an Urban Development Strategy” at the 2017 Ajman International Urban Development Conference, which took place in April.
The paper, which explores the issue of children welfare in urban settings, received praise from His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of the Emirate of Ajman and a member of the UAE Supreme Council of the Union.
“The well-being of children is a global issue,” explains Dr. Nooraddin. “Many cities around the world don’t consider the needs of children, such as parks, green spaces, sporting and educational areas, when conducting urban planning for many reasons, like poverty, conflict or simply forgetting about them. However, factoring in the well-being of children when creating urban development strategies leads to positive future outcomes and happiness for all levels of society, so it should really be a top consideration when planning a city’s growth.”
The conference was organized by the Municipality of Ajman and hosted delegations from cities that take happiness and tolerance into consideration when planning their urban growth, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Japan, France, Germany, Austria, and Canada.
Canada’s Rich Heritage and Culture
CUD students explore Canada’s rich heritage and culture, during a course in Canadian Studies. Led by Ms. Sanaz Sotoudeh, performances from Canadian artists complement in-curriculum classes.
Read More: https://cud.ac.ae/news/canadian-university-dubai-students-gain-insights-canadas-history-and-culture
#CUDubai #Canadian #CanadianStudies
Canadian University Dubai students gain insights into Canada’s history and culture
Lessons and performances immerse Dubai students in Canadian lifestyle and heritage.
July 5th, 2023, Dubai UAE: Students at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) have been discovering the rich history and culture of Canada as part of an immersive program of activities to explore the country’s lifestyle and heritage. Led by Ms. Sanaz Sotoudeh, CUD’s resident international concert pianist and lecturer, performances from Canadian artists complement in-curriculum classes, to broaden students’ cultural perspectives and prepare them for future life and work in Canada.
The initiative incorporates classroom-based lessons and extracurricular performances to introduce Canada to the global context. CUD has established a dedicated course in Canadian Studies, as part of the university’s general education curriculum. Ms. Sotoudeh explained, “Students learn about various aspects of Canadian society, including culture, politics, geography, economics, music, and literature. The course also teaches the rich history of Canada and its people.”
Alongside the classroom lessons is a program of extracurricular activities on campus that allow students to engage with Canadian performers and cultural experts first hand. Mr. Mohammad Lari, Canadian Cultural Officer at the Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi, delivered a session on ‘Art Without Borders: Cultural Diplomacy in Action’, sharing insights on how art, literature, and culture play important roles in the success of public diplomacy, providing opportunities to bring the Canadian culture to the UAE.
Most recently CUD staged a musical performance entitled, ‘The Canadian Identity: An Amalgamation of Different Cultures through Music’, celebrating the power of music in uniting cultures. Opened by guest speaker, Mr. Jean-Philippe Linteau, the Consul General of Canada in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the event featured a piano recital performance by Mr. Tony Yike Yang, a renowned international pianist recognized as one of Canada’s finest young musicians. The performance showcased music by Chopin, as well as Canadian and Chinese composers, and included a duet alongside Ms. Sotoudeh.
Explaining the thinking behind the course and the value of integrating culture into the curriculum, Ms. Sotoudeh said, “Today’s students will be entering a global market and it’s important that they develop an understanding of different countries, both geopolitically and culturally. Many CUD students go on to further study and employment in Canada, and this course complements their undergraduate curriculum to fully equip them.”
She continued, “Music, art, and all forms of cultural education provide students with a rich learning experience that builds knowledge and helps develop their understanding of the world around them. Dubai’s growing culture scene inspires future generations to engage, learn and ultimately lead. As a university, we partner in this process and provide a range of cultural opportunities for the community to connect.”
Final year Psychology student, Yolanada Jessican, is exploring her options to pursue higher studies in Canada and believes her experiences at CUD have helped to lay the foundation. She explained, “Canada is culturally diverse, like the UAE, and coming from Sri Lanka it has been a unique experience for me to integrate with Canadian culture in Dubai. Learning about the different aspects of the country and developing an understanding of the cultural context have provided invaluable exposure that will prepare me for the future. I am also grateful to have been introduced to a new world of music through the performances I’ve attended on campus.”
Embracing Diversity | A Look into the CUD Community’s International Cultural Day Celebration
Dubai, March 9th, 2023: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) International Cultural Day festival showcased the diversity of its community. The event, organized by CUD’s Student Council, brought together students from 16 countries to exhibit their unique cultures, traditions, and customs. The festival was graced by the presence of Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, CUD’s Chancellor, who visited the event and joined in the celebration of cultural diversity on campus.
International Cultural Day at CUD provided an opportunity for students and the wider community to unite to celebrate dynamic cultural backgrounds by showcasing their cultures, traditions, and customs. Students were able to share their unique perspectives and foster a greater understanding and appreciation for one another’s countries.
Several students also set up interactive tents on the campus showcasing items representing each of the individual cultures and traditional cuisines. The tents also showcased traditional clothing, artifacts, and food from countries such as Afghanistan, Algeria, the Americas, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine/Jordan, the Philippines, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, UAE, and many others. All teams made exceptional efforts, notably recognized for their live performance were students representing India and for their tent design Palestine/Jordan.
A notable aspect of the occasion was the featuring of attires, comprising traditional garments from different countries, providing glimpses into the wide range of clothing styles across the globe.
One of the highlights of the event was the ten live performances by students from Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Lebanon/Syria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine/Jordan, the Philippines, Sudan, Turkey, and which included drum performances representing India and Pakistan, and distinct music representations of each culture. The vibrant and lively night showcased traditional and cultural dances from CUD’s Music Society and CUD’s Dance Society, delectable cuisine, beautiful fashion, and games.
The event highlighted the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, demonstrating the role that higher education can play in promoting intercultural understanding. It also showed how cultural exchanges can enrich the educational experience. We are all part of one world, and celebrating diversity is essential for creating a more tolerant and harmonious society.
CUD’s Concert Series |‘Romanza’
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) was delighted to host the first of the conglomeration of Concert Series ‘The Interplay Between West-East: Romanza’ on October 20, 2022, in collaboration with the Canadian Council – to promote arts, music and culture in Dubai, UAE.
The concert series initiatives, instituted by Ms. Sanaz Sotoudeh, Pianist & Professor at CUD, invites musicians and artists from all over the world to perform within the well-located and avant-garde campus of CUD. The uplifting orchestrated series of concerts forms a part of the creative project initiatives and studies for CUD’s students in Music, Faculty of Communication, Arts & Sciences – where students learn the practical application of music in an event setting.
“Music is a universal language.” Sanaz Sotoudeh, Pianist & Professor at CUD.
Guests of honour at the first of the concert series: ‘Romanza’ included award-winning violinist Klaudia Olborska Szymańska, Violinist & Professor from New York University, Abu Dhabi and Ms. Sanaz Sotoudeh, Pianist & Professor, Canadian University Dubai.
The event was appreciated by dignitaries and distinguished guests, together with 100+ CUD students from the Faculty of Communication, Arts & Sciences.
“The adoring music from the piano and violin made me feel like I had wings and could fly.” Mariam Haider, Marketing & Communications, CUD.
CUD enthusiastically anticipates hosting the upcoming series of concerts throughout 2022.
Exhibition explores how Canada’s High Arctic Research Station incorporated works from indigenous artists
Dubai, UAE, March 11th, 2022: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has come together with Canada’s McGill University to stage an exhibition showcasing traditional Inuit art. The opening of the exposition, entitled, “Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit: Art, Architecture, and Traditional Knowledge”, was hosted at CUD’s City Walk campus in the presence of HE Jean-Philippe Linteau, Consul General of Canada in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and McGill alumnus; Christopher Manfredi, Provost and Vice Principal Academic of McGill University; and Prof Karim Chelli, President and Vice Chancellor of Canadian University Dubai.
Curated by Isabelle Laurier of EVOQ Architecture, the exhibition provides guests with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Inuit art and culture, and how it was successfully integrated into the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS). The event brings together the CUD community, McGill alumni, regional partners, and government representatives, as part of McGill University’s Third Century Celebrations in Dubai.
The imagery on display at the exhibition provides guests with an insight into how the design of CHARS was developed as a model construct to bridge the scientific and artistic worlds. The exposition also showcases the significance of CHARS in Canada’s commitment to a sustainable research presence in the Arctic, ahead of the planned Arctic Circle Abu Dhabi Forum, organized in association with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Opening the event, CUD’s Prof Chelli said, “As an educational institution that has welcomed students from 127 nationalities, in the center of one of the greatest international cities in the world, we are proud to represent the shared values of diversity and multiculturalism that both Dubai and Canada represent. It is our honor to host this celebration of indigenous talent, which demonstrates the power and significance of art in uniting cultures.”
Introducing the works at CUD, Ms Laurier said, “This exhibition is the result of a competition that invited Inuit artists from across Canada to submit works that would be integrated into the very fabric of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station. The aim was to reinforce the expression of Inuit culture and to give the artists the visibility they have long deserved.”
McGill University’s Christopher Manfredi said, “This exhibition tells three distinct stories of Canada – the country’s world-class research capability, the significance and creativity of indigenous art, and the capacity to construct sophisticated facilities in extreme conditions. Art is an exceptional tool for empowerment and reconciliation, and I hope everyone will be inspired by this exposition and the opportunity to explore indigenous culture.”
Featuring the works of some of Canada’s top Inuit artists, the collection is a travelling exhibition that aims to showcase the talent of indigenous peoples and how their cultural influences can be embedded in the advancement of science and technology. The exhibits have already been displayed in front of heads of state, ministers, and senior representatives of the science and business communities at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik.
The exhibition is open to the public until March 20, 2022 at CUD City Walk Campus.
CUD Student Chosen as an Artist to Represent Brand Dubai’s Partnership with RTA
Sheikha Fekri, an Environmental Health Management student at Canadian University Dubai, was chosen as one of the artists designing RTA’s parking meters around Dubai with Brand Dubai. Brand Dubai, the creative unit of the Government of Dubai Media Office, has partnered with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to beautify parking areas of Dubai. The objective is to turn Dubai into an open museum with tolerance and diversity being the theme of the artwork. In Sheikha’s words, her illustration was inspired by “the Arabic Ghitra as a background, with the words representing the diverse culture we have in the United Arab Emirates.”
After submitting a few pieces of artwork to the project, Brand Dubai got in touch with Sheikha with the news that one of her submissions was chosen to represent the Project. As a chosen artist, Sheikha had the opportunity to explain her artwork to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid. Sheikha’s accomplishment was also published in newspapers around Dubai and she was interviewed by Al Bayan, an Arabic language newspaper serving the UAE.
Sheikha has always considered art her hobby. She would like to encourage others to pursue their hobbies as well, “Do what you love, you never know what will come out of it,” said Sheikha.
You can spot the Sheikha’s artwork on parking meters around Jumeirah Beach Road and Trade Centre.
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/branddubai/
Adventure to Hatta
CUD students headed out on an adventure to Hatta! They spent time at the Hatta Dam where students kayaked, toured old houses, and experienced the heritage culture in Hatta. 🛶🐟🏠 They went to Hatta wadi for hiking and zip-lining! The day ended around a bonfire!🔥
Canadian University Dubai researcher reveals technology needs of smart city infrastructure
May 23rd, 2019: As Dubai presses forward with its 2021 smart city agenda, Canadian University Dubai Assistant Professor, Dr. Moayad Aloqaily, has revealed some of the technological solutions needed to help realise the strategy in a recent academic paper featured in leading industry research publication, the IEEE Communications Magazine.
The paper, entitled, ‘Data and Service Management in Densely Crowded Environments: Challenges, Opportunities and Recent Developments’ explores the issue of managing the transfer, processing and storage of data required for smart technologies to function efficiently, and specifically in the context of congested spaces such as stadiums or metro stations. Its publication in the Magazine, which has an impact factor of 9.27 and has maintained a Q1 ranking for the past 10 years, demonstrates the significance of the research to both academia and industry.
While revealing the huge potential of smart city technology to deliver streamline and sophisticated approaches in the management of everything from transportation and health services, to education and food production, the paper also highlights the demands that the exchange of such volumes of data present on existing cloud technology.
Exploring specific issues in relation to densely populated areas, the paper cites the example of the State Farm Stadium’s hosting of the Super Bowl, where the high demand for data transmission among mobile phone users resulted in network congestion and breakdown. Considering different dimensions of technology, the research reveals how such service interruptions might be avoided in a smart city context.
Dr. Aloqaily explained, “To ensure that data services are always available for end users in crowded environments, we cannot only rely on traditional cloud solutions for storage and applications. Data must be readily available near end users to achieve fast and effective access to data and services.
“One such solution is the replication of data, which is a commonly used technique for distributed systems, where data is stored at multiple storage sites. This could mean end users advertising their data availability and capability for other devices to connect to when their users request access to particular data or services.”
Dr. Aloqaily’s latest insights come following a recent directive issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to ensure safety standards in the testing of self-driving cars, which are a centrepiece of the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy and a fundamental development towards smart city living.
Reflecting on his research to date Dr. Aloqaily concluded, “While there are a number of approaches that present the potential to overcome the challenge of data availability and proximity, including network slicing and service composition, as well as data replication, what is clear at present is that there is still more research required to create an efficient, reliable and cost-effective service delivery technique for crowded environments.”