The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah has announced the commencement of the work of the jury for the ninth edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award. The committee has begun work on appraising projects in the domains of universities category awardthat include each of the design a model for sustainable environmental solutions domain, conduct a scientific researchto find a sustainable solution to pressing issues, and the sustainable architectural design in the built environment, smart application of information on smart phones, and green movie production. The number of participants from various universities and colleges in the emirates reached 257 students.
The Sharjah Sustainability Award also includes a category for government and private schools in the emirates, with 123 schools and educational centres participating in the 2020/2021 award. The school category sees students cover the following areas: electricity and water rationalization, sustainable applied environmental project, environmental innovator, environmental initiatives in artificial intelligence, creative writing for short stories, short environmental films, and the field of green school.
With different specializations
Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said, “The judging panel for the university category of the Sharjah Sustainability Award is made up of members with ample experience in arbitration, and different specializations related to the fields of the award. The panel consists of academic staff from the University of Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah, Skyline University College, and the Union of Arab Photographers.”
Al Suwaidi added that the judging panel for the school category of the award consists of members from the Sharjah Electricity ,Water and Gas Authority, Sharjah Education Council, Sharjah Radio and Television Authority, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, the Arabic Language Protection Association in Sharjah, and the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park.
She continued, “The Sharjah Sustainability Award aims to engage and inspire the youth of Sharjah to develop their perceptions of projects, ideas, and independent activities to promote the principle of sustainability. Taking into account the exceptional circumstances we are facingand adhering to the government’s approach to precautionary measures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sharjah Sustainability Award 2020/2021 will be carried out electronically, requiring an added element of innovation to submissions and to the judging process.”
Promote the concept of a sustainable green environment
The Sharjah Sustainability Award aims to promote the concept of a sustainable green environment through engaging with school and university students to develop their own perceptions to improve the environment and achieve a sustainable green planet.
It carries a message that is aimed at building a spirit of competition between different schools and competition between different universities in Sharjah, to innovate and apply sustainable solutions to pressing environmental problems that contribute to the spread of environmental culture. Additionally, the award endeavours to consolidate awareness of the importance of preserving the environment, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as well as preserving biodiversity and sustainability in the emirate.
The idea of launching the award arose in 2012, to keep pace with the visions of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The general objective of the award is to strengthen the principle of partnership with environmental work, as it constitutes a fundamental pillar in supporting Sharjah’s strategy of protecting environmental resources and educating the youth on their role in contributing to creating a green environment.
The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah seeks to protect the environment, natural reserves, wildlife and their biodiversity through scientific studies and research. The authority publishes educational awareness material, implements policies for environmental awareness and programs, and launches specialized campaigns in the field of environmental awareness and education.