Gulf University President Prof. Mohannad Al Firas announced that the university is preparing to launch the second edition of “Sustainability Week” this coming November — an annual event that has become a pivotal milestone in the university’s agenda to promote a culture of sustainability among students, the academic community, and the wider public.
Prof. Al Firas noted that this year’s edition will witness significant expansion in both the scope of participants and the range of discussion topics, as it will host a distinguished lineup of local and international speakers, in addition to an accompanying exhibition showcasing innovations and sustainable practices. He emphasized that this reflects the university’s commitment to transforming the concept of sustainability into a living practice, both on campus and beyond.
“Our aspirations go beyond merely responding to the global sustainability agenda — we aim to be an active contributor to it, through innovative initiatives and scientific and human outputs capable of making a tangible difference in a rapidly changing world,” Al Firas stated.
He affirmed that sustainability is one of the core pillars of Gulf University’s future vision, highlighting that the institution adopts an integrated approach linking academic excellence with social and environmental responsibility.
“At Gulf University, we believe that education is incomplete without instilling the values of sustainability in the minds and hearts of our students. That is why our strategic vision focuses on integrating sustainability principles across all our academic and research programs — preparing graduates capable of leading sustainable transformation within their communities.”
He added that the university seeks to become a regional model in sustainable practices within higher education, through innovative initiatives that include efficient resource use, emission reduction, and expanding environmentally driven community partnerships.
Al Firas stressed that investing in sustainability is investing in the future, explaining that the university reinforces this concept by developing its curricula, promoting research focused on environmental and developmental issues, and raising awareness among students, faculty, and administrative staff about the importance of protecting natural resources.
He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the coming period will see more programs and activities that translate this commitment into tangible results.
Professor Al Firas also emphasized that Gulf University not only teaches sustainability concepts but applies them in practice — in the management of its facilities and operational policies, from reducing energy and water consumption to encouraging sustainable transportation within the campus.
“We are working to build an institutional culture that makes sustainability a daily value in the lives of students, faculty, and staff — through internal awareness initiatives and volunteer programs that engage the entire university community in environmental action,” he said.
He concluded by affirming:
“For us, sustainability is not a temporary project or a seasonal event; it is a long-term strategic pathway that we are embedding into our policies, procedures, and disciplines to ensure that the university remains part of the solution, not the challenge.”
In discussing the research dimension of this approach, Al Firas pointed out that the university encourages researchers and postgraduate students to dedicate their projects to environmental, economic, and social sustainability issues, while providing funding and partnerships that enhance the impact of this research on both local and regional communities.
Keywords : SustainabilityLeadership, GulfUniversity, SustainabilityWeek, ProfessorMohannadAlFiras, SustainableDevelopment, SustainableEducation, EnvironmentalSustainability, GreenCampus, UnitedNationsSDGs, SustainableDevelopmentGoals
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