Along with being renowned for its expertly curated courses, world-class lecturers and amazing facilities, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) is widely respected for its strong commitment to sustainability.
As part of the Universities Climate Network, the group of 33 UAE universities and higher education institutions that worked to engage youth and students in the lead up to COP28, ADU is proud to be ranked 301-400 globally in the prestigious Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023.
So, as the UAE's Year of Sustainability comes to a close, we are taking the opportunity to share ADU’s key achievements in the sustainability sector, as well as explore how it is expanding and developing these in the wake of COP28.
Contributing to the Success of COP28
With COP28 taking place and its declaration as the 'Year of Sustainability', 2023 was a pivotal turning point in the UAE's fight against climate change. Faculty and students at ADU were immensely honoured to contribute to the success of the landmark climate change conference, which was hosted at Expo City Dubai from 30 November – 13 December 2023.
Attended by over 70,000 global delegates, ADU celebrated the country's hosting of the conference with numerous initiatives.
Throughout November 2023, it orchestrated a certified programme entitled 'COP28 Ready: Leading the Way to Sustainability'. Open to high school and undergraduate university students, it provided participants with a new understanding about sustainability, and prepared them to take up environmentally focused roles in the future.
Additionally, under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, ADU hosted the 'International Conference on Advancing Sustainable Futures (ICASF 2023). During this groundbreaking conference, ADU signed seven strategic collaborations with prestigious global partners from Africa, Canada, and Italy and beyond. All designed to further ADU's commitment to fostering a sustainable future in the educational sector, the partnerships seek to provide students and the wider UAE community with access to cutting-edge sustainable solutions and academic research, and facilitate knowledge exchange and promote innovation.
Other highlights of COP28 included ADU's participation in the 18th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18), and the UI GreenMetric Rankings 2023 placing ADU at number 359 in its list of top global universities in the field of sustainability.
In a major landmark move, ADU then announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi University Research Institute for Sustainable Futures housing. This state-of-the-art facility will include centres for Climate Change, Renewable Energies, Sustainable Construction and Green Issues, Sustainable Business and Finance, and Sustainable Health & Wellbeing.
Going forward, and in the wake of the pivotal decisions made at COP28, ADU will continue to educate the next generation about the importance of sustainability, drive research into environmental studies, work to reduce its own carbon footprint, and support the UAE's climate goals and net-zero 2050 target.
State-of-the-art on Campus AirFarm
As part of its efforts to accelerate the creation of sustainable and innovative agricultural solutions, ADU launched its first on-campus AirFarm in 2023.
Inflatable and entirely portable for extra convenience, the farm was created in collaboration with Midbar, a smart ag-tech South Korean company and H.E. Rashed Bin Khalfan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri Holding company.
Building on ADU's mission to provide sustainable and inclusive solutions to environmental challenges and foster innovative thinking, the AirFarm now yields an array of delicious and nutritious fresh produce to be used across the university's restaurants and kitchens.
ADU remains passionate about promoting the benefits of advanced smart farming solutions, with devices such as AirFarms known to increase crop yields by up to 30 percent, and reduce the use of natural resources such as water, and potentially harmful fertilisers.
Sustainability-focused Degrees
Furthermore, ADU has adapted the degrees it offers to reflect its dedication to sustainability. For example, it introduced its 'Professional Certificate to Empower Teachers for Sustainable Learning,' in November 2023 to help school principals and educational leaders make their institutions more sustainable.
ADU also offers courses related to sustainability, urban planning, and environmental science, as well as energy management, renewable energy, and sustainable engineering.
Home to world-leading Sustainability Researchers
ADU's inspiring faculty and researchers continuously work to strengthen the educational sector's capacity to respond to environmental crises, and they regularly contribute research proposals to the Green Education Center.
Between 2020 and 2023, the ADU faculty secured 29 research grants for their dedication to sustainability, while the institute's researchers published a remarkable 1,049 papers. Many of these went on to be featured in top-tier scientific journals, including Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, Energy Economics, Resources Policy and many more.
Furthermore, ADU's Dr. Anas Al Tarabsheh, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, and Dr. Mohammed Ghazal, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, were recently granted a patent in the field of renewable energy from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Formed in line with the UAE's Year of Sustainability, the patent aims to provide a practical solution for improving renewable energy generation. It also allows students to study the various aspects of renewable energy, and gain hands-on experience in the field.
Actively supporting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
ADU is committed to furthering the UN's SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and they are built into ADU's daily activities in so many ways.
Affordable and Clean Energy
Along with offering degrees and programmes related to renewable energy, ADU also takes part in research projects related to clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, and sustainable energy solutions.
It practices sustainability on its campus by implementing energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting and solar panels, and it conducts public awareness campaigns about the benefits of clean energy and energy conservation.
Smart Cities
As a community centred-university, ADU supports research into urban sustainability, smart city technologies, and strategies for resilient communities. It also actively engages with the local community to address urban challenges, and it collaborates with government agencies and organisations to support sustainable urban development initiatives.
Stringent green building standards and recycling programs are implemented across the campuses, and ADU regularly organises seminars and public events that are centred around sustainable urban development and community resilience.
Climate Action
ADU is committed to nurturing the next generation of climate activists, and inspiring them to think of innovative ways to save the planet.
For instance, five female ADU students recently worked with faculty and engineers to create an AI robot that cleans harmful plastic and other floating waste from the sea, and similar projects are continually being developed throughout the year.
Abu Dhabi University's cutting-edge sustainable energy project, led by a group of students, is making remarkable advancements in the realm of renewable energy solutions. With a specific focus on harnessing solar power through concentrated solar panels, this initiative is set to generate an impressive 2.64 megawatts of electricity on a daily basis, contributing a substantial 20% to the university's overall electricity requirements. The innovative system employed in this project utilises mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto receivers. Through this process, the conversion of light into heat powers a steam engine, thereby ensuring an efficient production of electricity. This groundbreaking approach not only signifies a significant leap forward in sustainable energy practices but also showcases the dedication and ingenuity of Abu Dhabi University's student-led team in contributing to an eco-friendly and energy-efficient future.