ABU DHABI, 22nd May, 2022 (WAM) — The University of Sharjah (UoS) is the first university in the Arab World to earn a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in Florida, United States.
STARS, is a global rating system and a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance in a comprehensive manner.
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) classified 1,085 registered universities, representing 40 countries at the international level.
The STARS Gold rating was only awarded to 82 international universities including the University of Sharjah. In addition, the association works on assessing universities sustainability achievements in five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, innovation and leadership.
In response to this achievement, Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, emphasised the university’s keenness to focus on fields of sustainable development, commitment to clean environmental standards, and support sustainability projects to address environmental challenges, in accordance with the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and founder of the University of Sharjah. In addition to the directives of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and President of the University of Sharjah, to make the university a regional and global benchmark for sustainability excellence in higher education, as well as raise awareness among society members on the importance of the sustainability concept in various fields.
Prof. Imad Alsyouf, Director of Sustainability Office, expressed his thanks to everyone who contributed to preparing UOS file to participate in this rating, under the supervision and guidance of Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies.
Alsyouf asserted that the establishment of sustainability office at the UOS in 2017 had a significant impact in promoting awareness of sustainability issues, and fostering cultural sustainability among students, staff, and faculty members, as well as local community through the implementation of several environmental initiatives, organisation of various campaigns and awareness programmes inside and outside the campus. In addition to the establishment of circles of sustainability, and the effective role of the office in distinguishing the university in various fields of sustainability, as well as its effort in making the university a global role model in sustainability and innovation.
