Dubai, UAE: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has opened its new Innovation & Sustainability Centre, which will house a number of projects aimed at promoting innovative approaches to long-term economic growth. The new initiatives will help the University advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through higher education in the region.
The projects, developed in collaboration with leading organizations from a variety of sectors, will address critical aspects of sustainable development in the context of higher education, such as creating an energy-efficient campus and developing talent for the green economy. There will also be human-centered projects to help individuals throughout the University community improve their skills for long-term professional development.
Among the first projects will be the WATER IS LIFE initiative, which will be carried out in collaboration with the Norwegian company Pure Blue Water. Students from the Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design will be able to develop and showcase their skills in sustainable design through this international competition. The initiative also offers participants the chance to go on a study tour to Scandinavian universities and learn about water conservation efforts in Norway.
The University will undertake a number of projects at its City Walk campus in Dubai to improve the environmental sustainability of its physical infrastructure. A study will be conducted in collaboration with Etihad ESCO to assess optimal power-saving solutions, followed by retrofit work to install energy efficiencies such as solar panels, lighting, and MEP systems. To promote workplace health and wellbeing, the CUD Hub Building will also house two design and build projects: a Sustainable Wellness & Healing facility and an Ergonomic Furniture Lab.
CUD President and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Karim Chelli, commented on the plans, saying, "The establishment of the Innovation & Sustainability Centre is part of our ongoing commitment to support the UAE Government's strategies for business growth and climate action." Higher education plays an important role in promoting sustainable development, providing research and education, and encouraging creativity and entrepreneurship, and expanding our partnerships will help to make an even greater impact.
"The Centre will serve as a focal point for new and existing collaborations with industry, government, and our local communities." The goal is to amplify our own actions by encouraging more knowledge exchange and innovation, allowing us to successfully and collectively promote economic development while protecting the environment."
Prof. Albert Fakhoury, Director of the new Centre, added, "The projects we have planned will provide excellent opportunities for CUD students to interact with industry and develop employability skills in future growth sectors." Project Boomerang by CIAAD is one of the initiatives that will involve students working across international borders and time zones to complete an intercontinental innovation challenge. CUD students will benefit from unique global experiences like this, as well as industry-relevant skills and exposure.
The Center's establishment follows the recent publication of the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, which ranked CUD as Dubai's top-performing university in terms of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Canadian University in Dubai
Canadian University Dubai (CUD), founded in 2006, is a higher education institution in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). CUD offers over 40 UAE Ministry-accredited degree concentrations across four academic faculties, all of which are based on the Canadian curriculum, and serves as a springboard for students to pursue higher education, research, and employment opportunities in Canada. According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, the institution is ranked among the top 541-550 universities in the world. CUD students can transfer to one of more than 50 academic partner institutions worldwide.
More information: https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/canadian-university-dubai-launches-new-centre-to-lead-on-sustainable-development-leiwt18n