The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) honoured the winners of the 7th Sharjah Sustainability Award (SSA) and it’s eleven categories, which includes students from the University of Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah, Al Qasimia University and Skyline University College in the presence of HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA Chairperson, members of the jury, participants in the award, representatives of eleven cooperative and supporter government entities includes the ministry of education, Sharjah Education Council, Sharjah Privet Education Authority, Sharjah Water & Electricity Authority, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and the academic Authority from Sharjah University City, in addition to the directors of other government entities from environmentalists, experts in environmental preservation and conservation, and students.
The awards ceremony was attended by representatives from the schools and universities that competed for the award. Categories included designing a solution to an actual environmental problem, applied scientific research, evaluative scientific research, producing a short film about global warming and climate change, and green campus.
At the ceremony, each winner received the Sharjah Sustainability Award, a Certificate of Excellence and a cash prize. Cooperating institutions and organisations received certificates of appreciation and SSA trophies. Members of the SSA jury received certificates of appreciation.
Alkhalil Bin Ahmed School participated in the award in the category of the award-winning innovation for the Khiro land device, which contributes to the conservation of energy sources. Also the Indian School in Sharjah introduced a wheelchair working with a solar-powered controller placed by the motor disabled on the head to help them move easily and smoothly in all directions, as well as a number of innovative scientific researches involving university students, and the field of creative writing of the short story in both Arabic and English, which targeted school students. The number of winners of the award from the schools was 40 winners and winners in various categories and fields of the award and 20 winners of university students.
Mrs Al Suwaidi said, “Sharjah Sustainability Award aims to promote a sustainable green environment. It is based on the vision of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who believes in the importance of protecting the environment and conserving biodiversity in Sharjah. Environmental programs in schools – an important part of EPAA’s activities – are aimed at promoting sustainability through the conservation of biodiversity. They are also an important way to raise awareness, which helps EPAA achieve its objectives. Sharjah Sustainability Award is important because school and university students are asked to develop their own perceptions, projects, ideas and activities to enhance the environment in the interests of a sustainable green environment that meets global environmental standards.”
Mrs Al Suwaidi added, “We congratulate all who participated in this important environmental award; to us, they are all winners. Each submission added value and reflects the schools, universities, students and staff’s commitment to playing an active role and helping to raise environmental awareness. We extend our thanks and appreciation to them and invite all who did not win this time to participate in the next SSA.”
SSA’s vision is to create a sustainable green environment. Its mission is to encourage students at schools and universities to compete to create and implement sustainable solutions to pressing environmental problems. This helps to promote awareness about the importance of preserving the environment and sustainable development in educational environments.
Held throughout the academic year, SSA includes two categories, one for intermediate and secondary students at Sharjah’s public and private schools in UAE. And one for students at Sharjah’s universities. The overall objective of the award is to promote partnership in environmental initiatives, a key pillar in Sharjah’s efforts to protect environmental resources and conserve biodiversity. The inclusion of schools, universities and official institutions as environmental actors will contribute to the creation of a green environment within a sustainable framework includes Schools, Universities, and official entities.
Eleven organisations cooperated in terms of the SSA: The Ministry of Education; Sharjah Education Council; Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA); Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services; the American University of Sharjah; the University of Sharjah; Skyline University College; Al Qasimia University; the Higher Colleges of Technology in Sharjah; Emirates Photography Society; Vision Film Production Company; and Sharjah Media Corporation.