The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah announced the winners of the ninth edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award. The awards were distributed in a virtual ceremony planned because of COVID-19 related safety measures.

37 school and university students received the awards

A total of 37 students in the school and university categories received the awards. This included 22 male and female students in the schools category, and 15 male and female students in the universities category.

Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, spoke at the virtual award ceremony, followed by a speech by the jury, and a documented-film about the award progression. One hundred and twenty-three public and private schools from across the UAE participated in the schools category. Environmental innovation, artificial intelligence, creative writing, sustainable environmental projects,  the production of an environmental short film were some of the domains that the students competed on.

In the universities category, 257 male and female students from various faculties and disciplines participated from the Emirate of Sharjah. The domains included applied and evaluation scientific research, sustainable architectural design in buildings, and the design of an environmental model for sustainable environmental solutions to be applied and benefited from, and smart application of information on smart phones.

The research and projects presented were scrutinized in the following ways; the novelty of the idea, sustainability and efficiency in implementation, and the possibility of the various relevant sectors benefiting from them. Ideas presented by students have the potential to positively impact the renewable energy and water sectors and the sustainable construction sector and industry.

“Our students are up for the challenge”

During her speech at the honoring ceremony, Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, said: “First, we want to congratulate the winners as the ninth edition of the sustainability awards was exceptional by all standards given the current circumstances due to COVID-19, but our students proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are up for the challenge, and are torch-bearers for future generations. Their hard work and efforts deserve our heartfelt appreciation. Congratulations to the winners, and all those who participated. All of you are winners. Thank you.”

Promoting environmental consciousness in future generations

Al-Suwaidi explained that the award aims to raise awareness and consolidate the importance of sustainable development in future generations.

Her Excellency shed light on the role of environmental education within the educational sector and its importance in achieving sustainable development goals. She said that it is important to develop a culture of environmental consciousness and to inculcate a sense of social-environmental responsibility in the students.

This is the key reason that birthed the sustainability award. The idea is to help students become actively engaged in building a green economy and develop healthy relationships with the natural environment systems around them.

The award’s vision is to create a sustainable environment while raising awareness about the importance of environmental preservation.

It also encourages healthy competition between the different schools and universities to innovate, search for, and implement sustainable solutions to pressing environmental problems.

Some new developments due to COVID-19

In its ninth edition, the award’s terms, conditions and criteria were amended to match the precautionary measures being followed by schools due to the Coronavirus.

Students participated in the virtual ceremony through an electronic link. The award categories included the Outstanding Student’s Award in the field of electricity and water conservation, Outstanding Student’s Award for Environmental Innovation, Students Team Award, and the Outstanding School’s Award for the Best Environmental Initiative in Artificial Intelligence.

The following topics were chosen for the story and film awards respectively; the impact of a clean environment on health, and the impact of environmental protection from pollution on human’s life. The topics were chosen while keeping in mind the unusual conditions of the world due to the pandemic, and their effect on youth centers and the Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah Center.

Project evaluation criteria

The project evaluation mechanism had two phases; the first phase included the theoretical evaluation of all project files submitted by school and university students and the nomination of the best projects that met the award criteria. The second phase included evaluation, participants’ interviews, and discussion with the jury. Winners were nominated at the end of stage 2.

11 virtual workshops

A total of 11 illustrative virtual workshops were held via Zoom to help explain the terms and conditions, and participation criteria of the award. The workshops also shed light on the criteria that would be used to evaluate final projects.

The workshops also served as a platform where 156 benefitted from it, including students, coordinators, and teachers, could ask any questions as they started working on their projects.

The participating schools were also asked to submit a plan of precautionary measures when implementing their projects. The file of project was sent by e-mail.

Special thanks to the collaborators

HE Hana Al-Suwaidi thanked the authorities and institutions for their cooperation in the ninth edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award. In particular, she appreciated the efforts of the Emirates Foundation, 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, Innovation Park, University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah, Arab Union of Photographers and Skyline University College. She pointed out that these collaborations underpinned the successful execution of the awards.

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.