SHARJAH, UAE – The Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) announced an increase in participation in the 11th session of the Sharjah Sustainability Award for 2022-2023.
There were 485 entries from university students, colleges and government, private and foreign schools from different regions of the country, and youth centers in Sharjah.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the EPAA, said, “The increased turnout and participation in this annual award confirms its commitment to its environmental and educational mission.”
She said, “It continues to attract and highlight creative talent, innovative projects, independent activities and scientific and environmental research from students and members of the two administrative bodies.”
Al Suwaidi stressed that such environmental initiatives are in line with the vision and directives of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, regarding the need to develop projects to protect the environment, preserve biodiversity, and serve people by providing a safe and sustainable future.
The breakup of the entries are 311 from university and college students and 174 from school students.
The EPAA is keen to develop the award periodically by extending the scope to include students of all disciplines in higher education institutions, universities, colleges, and institutes in the UAE.
This reflected positively in the total number of entries from students at the University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah, Al Qasimia University, and Skyline University College in Sharjah, as well as Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi University, Ajman University, Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi, British University in Dubai and Higher Colleges of Technology.
Nine categories fall into six domains for university category
Entries were divided into nine categories within six key domains: Sustainable design and construction, Scientific Research in sustainability, Applications of artificial intelligence in sustainability, Preserving and protecting environmental resources, Future energy and emissions, and Sustainability in protecting human health and the environment.
Diverse participation from 174 public, private and foreign schools and centers competing in 13 categories over seven domains
The current session also witnessed the diverse participation of 174 public, private and foreign schools and centers from the emirates of Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Ras al Khaimah, Fujairah, and its affiliated cities and regions in various fields.
The various areas include environmental innovator, creative writing for a short story in Arabic and English, environmental project in artificial intelligence, short film, sustainable environmental application project, the rationalization of electric energy and water and the green school.
Nominations were also received in the Distinguished Teacher Award category and nominations from members of the administrative and teaching staff of the schools in the Distinguished School Award category for the green school domain.
Entry to the awards was closed on October 2022.
Initial evaluation of the projects and nominations will begin, with distinguished projects sorted according to how they meet the conditions and criteria of the award.
This process will be followed by a final evaluation conducted by members of the project arbitration team during March and April 2023.
The evaluation process will also include field visits, meetings with stakeholders in schools and universities, and the organization of an exhibition of university students’ projects, where the winners’ names will be announced and honored during a closing ceremony held at the end of May 2023.