Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar earns first FEE EcoCampus Green Flag designation in the MENA region
Doha, Qatar – Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) has been awarded the prestigious FEE EcoCampus Green Flag designation, becoming the first university in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to achieve this recognition. CMU-Q is a Qatar Foundation partner university.
"We are thrilled to be the first university in the MENA region to receive the FEE EcoCampus Green Flag," said Michael Trick, dean of CMU-Q. "For the last four years, our entire campus community—faculty, staff, and students—have embraced positive change and worked together to make CMU-Q a model for environmental stewardship."
Based in Denmark, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is one of the world's largest environmental education organizations, with over 100 member organizations in 81 countries. The EcoCampus program empowers students to lead sustainable change, bring awareness to their peers, and encourage operational efficiency at their campuses.
CMU-Q embarked on its ambitious EcoCampus journey in September 2020 under the leadership of Chadi Aoun, teaching professor of information systems, and the guidance of Ruba Hinnawi, technical lead at Qatar Foundation's Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, the national operator for EcoCampus. A committee of students, faculty and staff created a comprehensive plan to integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into all aspects of campus life.
'This has been a long, collaborative effort between CMU-Q and Earthna to transform a campus and create a blueprint for other universities to get their own Green Flag designation,' said Ruba Hinnawi, who attended the audit and the announcement at CMU-Q. 'It is very meaningful that we achieved this within Qatar Foundation, where we are leading the charge to create a coordinated approach to environmental, social, and economic sustainability.'
In 2022, Jennifer Bruder, associate dean of research, and Elissar El-Akra Hajjar, director of facilities, became co-directors of the EcoCampus initiative. They mobilized a large community effort to transform the campus, focusing on three key areas: food equity, climate change, and campus waste management.
To receive the designation, Pramod Kumar Sharma, senior director of education for the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), traveled to Qatar to audit the campus.
'I'm happy to have our first EcoCampus Green Flag in the MENA region. Higher education is important in building a more sustainable future, because students at university can bring about a big change in a very short time,' he said. 'Some people call students 'future leaders,' but I say they are leaders now. They see sustainability as a value, not an action, and they will take this value to the workplace when they begin their careers.'
For Jennifer Bruder, the FEE Green Flag is simply a milestone in CMU-Q's sustainability journey.
'This is an exciting time for our campus, because we see how dedicated our community is to promoting and advancing the UN SDGs at CMU-Q,' she said. 'Over the next many years, I look forward to seeing the new ways CMU-Q can embrace these goals and inspire change in the world.'
CMU-Q offers undergraduate programs in biological sciences, business administration, computer science and information systems. In their coursework, research activities, student-led events and extracurricular opportunities, every student has the opportunity to learn about sustainability and effect change throughout their undergraduate years.
-Ends-
About Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar
Carnegie Mellon University set its own course with programs that inspire creativity and collaboration. A private, top-ranked and global university, Carnegie Mellon looks beyond the traditional borders of the university campus to have a transformative impact locally, nationally, and globally. In 2004, CMU began a partnership with Qatar Foundation to bring this unique educational experience to the Middle East.
For 20 years, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar has provided a world-class education in the heart of Education City. More than 1300 graduates have completed their education at CMU-Q, and more than 450 students are currently pursuing studies in biological sciences, business administration, computer science and information systems.
As the CMU-Q alumni network grows, so does the impact that we have on Qatar and the world. Our graduates work at top organizations and innovative startups. They influence government policy, analyze big data, bring culture and the arts to the community, and inspire young people to learn and innovate. They are researchers, creators, entrepreneurs, analysts and educators, and they are working to improve the world around them.
Hashtags
- General#EcoCampus,FEEEcoCampusGreenFlag,UnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals,SDGs,GreenFlag,EcoCampusGreenFlag,FEEGreenFlag,RubaHinnawi,JenniferBruder,MichaelTrick,ChadiAoun,ElissarEl-AkraHajjar,PramodKumarSharma,CMU-Q,QatarFoundation,FoundationforEnvironmentalEducation,FEE,CarnegieMellonUniversityinQatar,EarthnaCenterforaSustainableFuture,Earthna
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
Majra – National CSR Fund honours top 20 CSR projects at inaugural Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025
4 June 2025 20:46 SHARJAH (ALETIHAD)Majra – National CSR Fund recognised the top three winning projects and honoured 17 other initiatives shortlisted for the inaugural edition of Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025, during a prestigious awards ceremony held at the SEE Institute in The Sustainable City, under the patronage and in the presence of Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, alongside prominent figures, such as Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority, the event celebrated innovative initiatives that created tangible impact in the nation's sustainability landscape. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said: 'The UAE is deeply committed toward developing national strategies and programs that uphold social responsibility and encourage sustainable practices across all sectors. At Majra, we are pleased to play a key role in this effort by fostering collaboration and building strong partnerships with the private sector."The launch of the first edition of the Sustainable Impact Challenge, which will be held annually, reflects our mission to instil corporate CSR values and nurture a culture of sustainable development. Through this initiative, we aim to support impactful private sector projects that align with the national agenda, contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote responsible business practices. This is in line with our broader commitment to shaping a more resilient and sustainable future in accordance with the 'We the UAE 2031' vision.'The Sustainable Impact Challenge is a national platform designed to identify and celebrate outstanding CSR initiatives led by private sector companies, third-sector organisations, universities, and other institutions. It reflects Majra's firm dedication to empowering these vital contributors and directing their efforts toward sustainable recognising impactful initiatives, the Challenge further supports the UAE's broader national drive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promotes the adoption of CSR and sustainability practices across all major her speech, Hessa Buhumaid affirmed the pivotal role played by Majra through the launching of such CSR initiatives and the identification of effective private sector leadership that would enhance social impact. She highlighted the importance of this Challenge as the first initiative showcasing projects with significant environmental, economic, and social impact in conjunction with the prestigious 'Year of Community' Minister praised the efforts of the third sector in providing valuable contributions and actively tackling social, environmental, and economic top three winners included HeroGo, for its project 'Empowering the GCC to access better quality and more affordable groceries while eliminating food waste'; Thiqa Education's '1 Dirham makes an impact' initiative; and Distant Imagery Solutions' 'Rooted in Innovation UAE Engineered Drones Transform Mangrove Restoration' the winners were awarded a total cash prize of Dh600,000 in recognition of their exceptional contributions to sustainable development in the other shortlisted sustainability initiatives were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts and given the opportunity to showcase their project outcomes. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'We are delighted to identify and honour the innovative, impactful projects through the Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025. These initiatives highlight the pivotal role of private sector firms in driving sustainable change. At Majra, we look forward to relentlessly supporting such efforts that contribute to the UAE's vision for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.'On the sidelines of the event, several sessions and meetings were held to reinforce Majra's lead role in fostering sustainability in various industries. A key session at the event featured Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees, along with undersecretaries from five ministries to discuss the main challenges that hinder the advancement of social responsibility in the issues highlighted included the lack of opportunities that encourage private sector involvement, ongoing environmental hurdles and ways to find adequate solutions, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks that require organisations to implement CSR key session titled, 'The Role of Public, Private and Third Sector in Developing an Impact Economy,' explored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building a sustainable economy. The panel featured thought leaders including Dr. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Emirates Environmental Group, Chandran Nair, Founder and CEO, Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) and Maysa Al Nowais, Executive Director – Community Engagement and Volunteering, Social Contributions Authority – Ma'an. The session was moderated by Mohammed Hanif Al event also hosted the inaugural meeting of the Fashion Sustainability Taskforce, held in the presence of Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri. The meeting laid the groundwork for future collaboration, and set the direction for a unified roadmap to promote sustainability within the fashion industry. The Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025 stands as a testament to Majra's unwavering commitment towards establishing a thriving ecosystem that encourages and supports CSR initiatives in line with the UAE's strategic development goals. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
The National
30-05-2025
- The National
If we find a way to measure compassion, can we use it to solve global problems?
The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by United Nations member states in 2015 marked a bold global commitment to reimagine a future shaped by justice, equity, peace and sustainability. The agenda's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, have led to critical action on climate change, health and education. Yet progress remains uneven and fragile. Over more than forty years of working to protect children, I have seen the harsh reality and can say with certainty that no group bears the weight of injustice more than children. They are disproportionately affected by poverty and conflict, and in many parts of the world, they are pushed into exploitative labour, denied the chance to go to school, face poor health outcomes, and lack access to clean water and nutrition. These are not isolated challenges but interwoven injustices that rob children of their rights and freedom. Despite many initiatives undertaken and millions of dollars spent, last year's UN Sustainable Development Goals Report found that the world is on track to meet just 17 per cent of these SDG targets. I feel deeply ashamed that we have betrayed our children yet again by missing this year's target of achieving SDG 8.7 – a commitment to ending all forms of child labour by 2025 as part of a broader effort to end slavery, trafficking and forced labour, including child soldiers. Our promise to leave no one behind now seems hollow. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the world was off track with respect to Agenda 2030. It is appalling that in 2021, the number of child labourers worldwide increased from 152 million to 160 million. These are not mere numbers – these are children who have been denied justice, who are not free to enjoy their childhood, and who have work tools in their hands instead of books and toys. These are children who we have left behind. We have created so many borders, walls and wars. The effect of conflict on children is catastrophic and often irreversible. Children do not create wars, insurgencies or natural disasters nor are they responsible for any other humanitarian crisis. Nevertheless, they end up caught in the crossfire, often literally. More than 47 million children have been displaced by conflict and violence. Do we really want to pass on this legacy of fear, helplessness and violence to future generations? In 2021, the number of child labourers worldwide increased from 152 million to 160 million As a buzzword, the SDGs remain popular. Corporations, civil society groups and the media have embraced SDGs, often aligning their goals with them. But what real progress are we making? How can we claim to have achieved anything if we leave our children behind? For me, the yardstick of progress is that every child receives their fair share of resources under an umbrella of supportive policies and social protection. Why have we failed? The gap between those suffering from problems and those who can solve them is vast and continues to grow every day. We lack the moral accountability and the responsibility to bridge this gap. As global connectivity grows, we are seeing a paradox emerge in the global political environment between aggressive politics, aggressive faith, and aggressive capitalism that is fostering a hyper-competitive and commercial society. Our behaviours have increasingly become transactional; often, we do only what will benefit us, even if it is at someone else's cost. The real, long-term solution is for us to remind ourselves, constantly, of our capacity for compassion. Based on this philosophy, I founded the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion (SMGC) last year, which calls for action in a world plagued by inequality, conflict and injustice. We need to 'globalise' compassion. What do I mean by this? The quality of compassion is traditionally perceived – and has been preached for ages – as a soft, gentle emotion. It is, in reality, a powerful force with transformative power. It is like the air we breathe. Without it, humanity will fail. Compassion is the only force that will unite us and allow us to look beyond our differences. A definition of compassion based on my humble experience of almost half a century's struggle for liberty, dignity and justice for every child is that it is the force born from feeling the suffering of others as one's own, a force that drives mindful and selfless action to end that suffering. We need more of this in the world if we are to achieve the SDGs. To increase the capacity of something, you need to be able to measure it in the first place. We are in the process of developing Compassion Quotient (CQ), which aims to measure individuals' compassion in a similar way to measuring their Intelligence Quotient (IQ) or Emotional Quotient (EQ). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we are developing a comprehensive framework to measure and enhance the level of CQ in individuals and organisations. One of our goals at SMGC is to integrate compassion, as a measurable and cultivable trait, into educational curricula and leadership programmes. We also want to develop indices and metrics to assess compassionate action at a policy level, so as to eventually mainstream the idea of compassion being a guiding principle in global governance. Compassion is essential to ending suffering, and while many leaders speak of it in their speeches, it is time we turn those words into action and hold ourselves accountable. We no longer have the luxury of merely showing intent. We have no choice now but to act with compassion and urgency. Collectively, the world has never been wealthier – economically, intellectually or technologically. It is clear that we need to redefine our approach to life and society. We must build compassionate leadership in all walks of life, whether it is education, the judiciary, governance, or healthcare. This evolution in our thinking would benefit everyone, but, again, most of all, it will benefit our children, who will one day be leaders in their own right, responsible for taking these ideas forward. I refuse to accept that, with all the resources at our disposal, we cannot ensure their freedom, safety, health and education. If we do that, they will be better-placed as adults to ensure it for the generations to follow.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Zawya
Validating the Implementation Plan: Gender Strategy for Aquatic Biodiversity
Date: Tuesday, 29th April 2025 Time: 12:00–15:30 EAT Format: Virtual/Online The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is convening a Virtual Stakeholders' Consultative Validation Workshop tomorrow 29th April 2025, to solicit stakeholder inputs on the development of an inclusive and actionable Implementation Plan for the Continental Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender in Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Management. Following the endorsement of the continental gender strategy by the African Union Heads of State and Government in February 2024 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), this workshop is a critical next step in translating political commitments into tangible, measurable actions to promote gender equity in environmental governance. The workshop aims to validate and refine the draft Implementation Plan, strengthen institutional capacity for gender mainstreaming, promote equitable access to resources, enhance women's representation in environmental governance, develop gender-specific data collection systems, and foster inclusive communication. The expected outcomes include a validated plan, strengthened partnerships, and social transformations for equitable environmental governance. Implementation Plan Framework The Implementation Plan is built around six interdependent strategic areas: 1. Building the capacity of women and institutions. 2. Guaranteeing equitable access to natural resources and economic opportunities. 3. Promoting inclusive governance by increasing women's participation in decision-making. 4. Establishing a robust, evidence-based gender data system. 5. Transforming social norms through participatory and multi-channel communication campaigns. 6. Ensuring rigorous, transparent, and gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation. Drawing from pilot experiences in Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Malawi, the plan aligns with global, continental, and regional frameworks such as the SDGs, CEDAW, CBD, ABES, GEWE Strategy, and Agenda 2063. It applies a Results-Based Management (RBM) approach, ensuring that commitments translate into measurable progress. Workshop Structure and Agenda The workshop will be structured around three main sessions: an opening session with opening remarks from AU-IBAR leadership, followed by statements from key partners, including the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET). The Technical Sessions will include a series of expert presentations will set the context by providing an overview of the project, the African Blue Economy Strategy, policy frameworks, and insights into strengthening gender dimensions in aquatic ecosystem conservation. The second technical session will feature the presentation of the Draft Implementation Plan, followed by an open discussion to enrich and validate the Plan based on stakeholder feedback. The Closing Session will include reflections from AWFISHNET and final closing remarks by AU-IBAR to conclude the workshop, marking the official validation of the Implementation Plan. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
