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The event was held on October 1 and 2 at Sharjah Safari, with the active participation of institutions, companies, and stakeholders from across the sustainability and environmental innovation fields.
The meeting aimed to strengthen integration between scientific research outputs and the operational needs of institutions. A total of 14 winning projects were presented across diverse categories including sustainable design and construction, scientific research, future energy and emissions reduction, artificial intelligence applications, human and environmental health protection, and conservation of natural resources. Students and faculty members highlighted the concepts, identified challenges, implementation methods, results, and innovative alternative solutions of their projects, enabling companies to explore opportunities to adopt and apply them in real-world contexts.
Commenting on the occasion, Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of EPAA, stated:
"This second introductory meeting represents a strategic step that goes beyond recognition and awards, aiming to activate the outcomes of research and innovative ideas and transform them into practical, actionable solutions. Such initiatives directly contribute to addressing pressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development, inspired by the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to position Sharjah as a global model for sustainability and the protection of natural resources while ensuring a balanced environment for current and future generations."
She added: "What makes this meeting remarkable is its role as a platform connecting universities and the institutional sector, enabling companies to review the winning projects and assess their practical value, paving the way for adoption and implementation. True sustainable development can only be achieved through effective partnerships between academia, the private sector, and government entities. This synergy ensures that outstanding ideas are transformed into impactful achievements that support the green economy and reinforce the UAE’s, and particularly Sharjah’s, leadership in environmental innovation and sustainable development."
The meeting featured presentations of projects in sustainable design and construction, where students from United Arab Emirates University showcased innovative initiatives such as developing permeable geopolymer concrete without cement and designing a net-zero energy housing model. This was followed by graduate-level research projects in sustainability, which included innovative solutions such as developing sustainable and carbonated concrete blocks and exploring the future prospects of lithium production at Khalifa University. The program continued with undergraduate research projects in sustainability, including assessing rainwater risks in urban development in Al Ain using geographic information systems (GIS) and the “Water Pathways: Rehabilitating Al Qasba” project.
The first day concluded with projects in sustainability for natural resource conservation, where students from Khalifa University and Abu Dhabi University presented outstanding ideas such as reusing steel slag for coral reef restoration and developing autonomous boats to collect plastic waste from the oceans.
The second day showcased projects in artificial intelligence applications for sustainability, including a project by the American University of Sharjah to detect oil spills using radar images, and another by Horizon University Collage to develop AI-powered smart parking systems. In addition, UAE University presented projects on future energy and emissions, such as converting polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste into alternative energy sources and developing membrane bioreactors for enzymatic silanose degradation. The program concluded with sessions on sustainability in human and environmental health, where students from Khalifa University presented advanced research on extracting gold from electronic waste using innovative polymers, alongside a project by the American University of Sharjah on the photodegradation of harmful PFAS chemicals using advanced technologies.
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