The recent edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award marked a significant milestone in promoting environmental sustainability within the educational landscape of the UAE. With 235 projects submitted, comprising 153 from schools, 66 from universities, and 16 from government and private entities, the event witnessed unprecedented participation. This overwhelming response underscores a growing commitment amongst students and institutions to address pressing environmental issues, with primary and secondary students contributing 457 projects, supported by 115 academic members.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), remarked that the Sharjah Sustainability Award has transformed into a vital scientific platform. She articulated the importance of nurturing talent and fostering creativity to create a sustainable future. In this context, the award not only recognises outstanding initiatives but also encourages educational institutions to integrate environmental stewardship into their curricula.
As a testament to the collaborative spirit of the awards, 19 supportive governmental and private institutions, including the Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority, were honoured alongside 19 jury members, who evaluated the projects based on established scientific criteria. This recognition highlights the essential role that institutional support plays in fostering innovation and sustainability.
A total of 30 awards were distributed across various categories, including 13 for Green Schools, 14 for universities, and 3 for other institutions, with winners showcasing innovative projects aimed at promoting environmental sustainability. In the institutional category, ENOC secured first prize for its “Future ENOC Service Station” project, while the University of UAE distinguished itself by addressing rainwater risks in urban development, landing the top spot in the universities category. Notably, graduate students from the same university received accolades for their work on sustainable concrete blocks, with Khalifa University also recognised for its forward-thinking research on lithium extraction.
The awards ceremony highlighted several noteworthy projects that demonstrate the potential of youth-led initiatives in tackling environmental challenges. For instance, Khalifa University excelled in extracting gold from electronic waste, showcasing practical solutions for resource recovery. Furthermore, initiatives such as the restoration of coral reefs and innovative self-driving boats aimed at plastic collection reflect a multidimensional approach to sustainability in both environmental and technological spheres.
Green Schools also exhibited remarkable creativity, with Masar Private School winning for a smart electric door and Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi School for a waste sorting system. The category also featured engaging short environmental films, with Al Nabras School winning for “Whispers of Nature,” which creatively conveyed the importance of green cover.
The conclusion of the ceremony saw James School in Dubai being recognised for its comprehensive sustainable environmental initiatives. This reinforces the notion that educational institutions are not just places of learning but also pivotal platforms for instilling eco-conscious practices in the next generation.
As the Sharjah Sustainability Award continues to evolve, its influence grows within the region, fostering a culture of innovation and commitment to environmental stewardship among young leaders and their institutions. Such initiatives not only address current sustainability challenges but also pave the way for a mindful approach to future environmental concerns, culminating in a collaborative effort where education and community engagement intersect harmoniously.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2025/05/23/Sharjah-Sustainability-Award-honours-winners-of-13th-edition – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2025/05/23/Sharjah-Sustainability-Award-honours-winners-of-13th-edition – The 13th edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award, organized by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), saw unprecedented participation with 235 projects submitted: 153 from schools, 66 from universities, and 16 from government and private entities. The student category had the highest participation, with 457 students from primary and secondary education, alongside 248 university students, all guided by 115 academic members. The ceremony honored 19 supportive government and private institutions, including the Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority. Thirty awards were distributed, including 13 for the Green Schools category, 14 for universities, and 3 for institutions, acknowledging outstanding initiatives in environmental sustainability. ENOC won first place in the institutional category for its ‘Future ENOC Service Station’ project, while the University of UAE claimed the top spot in the universities category for assessing rainwater risks in urban development. Graduate students from the University of UAE were recognized for a project on sustainable concrete blocks, and Khalifa University was honored for its work on the future of lithium extraction. The ceremony concluded with the recognition of James School in Dubai for its sustainable environmental initiatives, reinforcing the importance of eco-friendly practices in education.
- https://www.beeahgroup.com/beeahs-future-pioneers-award-ceremony-highlights-promising-innovations-in-sustainability-from-2024-2025/ – The BEEAH Group hosted the Future Pioneers Award (FPA) 2024-2025 ceremony in Sharjah, recognizing 15 innovative concepts and initiatives in sustainability. Under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the award celebrated groundbreaking innovations from students, professionals, and organizations worldwide. The winning projects addressed various environmental challenges, including energy and water conservation, clean energy production, sustainable agriculture, and promoting eco-conscious practices across communities. The ceremony underscored the importance of uniting global innovations to collectively progress toward a sustainable future.
- https://www.builtenvironmentme.com/top-stories/sustainability/etihadwe-wins-first-place-at-the-sharjah-sustainability-award – Etihad Water and Electricity Company (EtihadWE) secured first place in the Institutions and Corporate Category at the 12th edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award. The award ceremony, held by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) at Sharjah University City, recognized EtihadWE for its groundbreaking project, the Al Khuraijah Water Distribution Centre (WDC). The WDC is among the largest water storage and distribution projects in the region, featuring nine tanks with a total capacity of 180 million gallons. The facility supports the NAQA’A desalination plant, which produces an annual output of 50 billion gallons. Elevated at 80 meters above sea level, the centre utilizes gravity-based flow, saving around 36 million kWh of electricity annually, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and contributing to environmental goals.
- https://www.aus.edu/media/news/aus-ecoreps-win-2025-middle-east-pgs-regional-sustainability-awards – A team of students from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) was named the Middle East regional winner of the 2025 PGS Regional Sustainability Awards. The EcoReps, a flagship program of the AUS Office of Sustainability, were recognized for their commitment to both environmental and social sustainability and responsible management practices. The team highlighted various sustainability initiatives on campus, including their participation in the Higher Education Climate Dialogue (HECD) conference in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi.
- https://sharjah24.ae/en/articles/2024/03/27/epaa-58-increase-in-participants-in-12th-ssa – The 12th edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award (SSA) received 767 submissions from institutions, students of local universities and colleges, and governmental, private, and foreign schools from various Emirates of the UAE. This represents a 58% increase compared to the 485 submissions received in the previous edition, taking the total number of submissions since the award’s inception in 2012 to 282 submissions. This unprecedented achievement reflects the growing interest among institutions, school administrations, universities, and students in launching environmental projects and programs, presenting innovative ideas and awareness activities, all aiming to achieve sustainability, conserve biodiversity, and enhance quality of life in a safe and comprehensive community.
- https://www.sharjah.ac.ae/Academics/Eng/Awards/Sharjah-Sustainability-Award – The Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) announced the winners of the 11th edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award in its two categories – Green Schools and Green Universities – in a ceremony held at the Al Qasimia University theatre. Students from the College of Engineering won several awards in different categories. The second place was awarded to the ‘Sustainable Manufacturing of Functional Parts Using Manufacturing, Addition of Materials and Metal Casting’ project, submitted by Shamma Al Abdulla, Fabrizia Devito, and Haya Rami Noman Aljaghoub, under the supervision of Prof. Abdul Hai Alalami. In the category of Scientific Research in Sustainability for Bachelor’s Degree Students, the first place was awarded to the research project on Flexible Photovoltaic Solar Energy Applications in Floating Solar Panels, submitted by Fatima Adam, Dulfah Ali, and Alia Almemari, under the supervision of Dr. Di Zhang. In the category of Future Energy and Emissions, the winner was the project ‘Bio-Photovoltaic Production of Green Hydrogen’ by Nada Alnuwaishi, Reem Younis Alamiri, Sara Mamoun Almarzooqi, and Mariam Hasan Ahli, under the supervision of Dr. Abrar Inayat.
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emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, reporting on the recent conclusion of the 13th edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award, with no evidence of recycled content or prior publication.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes attributed to Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), are unique to this report, with no prior matches found online.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The report originates from Sharjah24, a news outlet based in Sharjah, UAE. While it provides detailed information, cross-referencing with other reputable sources would enhance reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the Sharjah Sustainability Award’s 13th edition, including the number of submissions and categories, align with information from other sources. However, some specific project details lack corroboration from additional reputable outlets.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The report presents fresh and original content with unique quotes and plausible claims. While the source is generally reliable, cross-referencing with other reputable outlets would further strengthen the assessment.
