“Greener Hands for a Greener Community” is the theme for Summer School at The British University in Dubai
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) declared open the BUiD’s 2nd Sustainability Summer School today. BUiD SSS 2013 event is being held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chancellor of the University and under the guidance of Prof Abdullah Alshamsi, BUiD Vice-. Some 50 undergraduate and postgraduate students from various universities across the region will actively engage in a week long professional development program on sustainability from the 23rd to 27th June. BUiD’s Summer School was the brain child of Dr Hanan Taleb, the Atkins Assistant Professor in Sustainable Design and Built Environment. She believes the best way to contribute to the environment protection and the reconstruction of land is to raise awareness amongst the youth and train all of us to be responsible members of the community.
Building on last year’s success BUiD Triple S this year is full of stimulating activities. As well as academic lectures, presentations from Industry professionals, talks by experts and debate with their counterparts. Boldly there will be competitions and interactive field trips to sustainability landmarks in the U.A.E such as Masdar City, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), RTA-Dubai Metro and the LEED – Platinum Pacific Control’s building.
Prof Abdullah Alshamsi, Vice-Chancellor at The British University in Dubai who is a strong advocate of “empowering the youth with the right knowledge” in his opening remarks at the event said “BUiD’s SSS 2013 event is in alignment with BUiD’s objective of disseminating knowledge to the wider community. Through this week-long Sustainability Summer School we want to encourage students to take away the latest practices and knowledge on contributing to a greener community and inspire others to follow the path to sustainability.” Prof Abdullah Alshamsi also took the opportunity to thank the organizations who partnered with BUiD for the Triple S event including Panasonic Middle East as the main sponsor, Emax – support sponsor, Akhtaboot - online recruitment partner and DIAC student hub – Education Partner. “I like to thank all these organizations for showing their commitment in supporting this great CSR initiative” he said.
In its commitment to Sustainability as a core promise Panasonic Middle East signed up as the Main Sponsor of the BUiD SSS 2013 event. Mr Masao Motoki, Managing Director, Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa explaining the values behind the Panasonic brand said, “As a company we are committed to the philosophy of placing people before products and also encouraging eco activities, thereby aiming to provide a better life and a better world. BUiD’s commitment in organizing the summer school that encourages young mind to dream, conceptualize, implement and create a sustainable world is a step that synchronizes with our ethos. We are extremely delighted to be associated with this initiative as it also plays a part in our corporate plan to provide environmental education to two million children around the world by engaging them through the various Panasonic Kids School initiatives by 2018”.
This year’s Summer Sustainability School seems is even better than 2012 SSS with many new and dynamic ideas developed by student organizing body which works under the direct supervision of Dr Hanan Taleb. There are nine members who form the BUiD SSS committee, which is led by Ms. Noha Jaheen, student of BUiD’s M Sc Sustainable Design and Built Environment programme, she has played a major role in the success of BUiD SSS event last year and this year too. Dr Hanan Taleb said, “I am happy to see these youngsters’ enthusiasm and dedication in planning and executing the BUiD SSS event, the main objective of designing this event has been met, whereby the youngsters take up the responsibility for a greener future.” Dr Hanan Taleb also expressed her gratitude to Prof Abdullah Alshamsi-Vice Chancellor, Martin Prince- Registrar and Prof Bassam Abu Hijleh- Atkins Chair and Dean of Faculty of Engineering at BUiD for believing in her and lending their support to the event. She said “This year’s BUiD SSS event will provide a great experience to these students. The theme “Greener Hands for a Greener Community” has been created so that the participating students impart knowledge on how to reduce the ecological footprint not only as individuals but lead by the hand and enthuse other members of the community in developing greener communities for a greener future”.
Some of the key highlights of the BUiD SSS event will be hearing about “Successful Emarati Experience” from Mr Kahlid Al Maskari, Director at Tourism & investment Company (TDIC); a workshop for students on selecting the right material for sustainable furniture by Jens Rathron, Managing Partner at Ithara Group; six student teams will debate sustainability myths and practices, which will be run by Ms Samar Shaker, BUiD’s Alumna Master of Science in Sustainable Design and Built Environment; a Student competition for fabricating sustainable furniture using recyclable material will also run alongside the event where the same six teams will compete. The grand finale of the BUiD SSS event will be the closing ceremony and exhibition on 27th June from 2 pm to 5 pm. The guest of honour for the closing ceremony will be Engineer Abdullah Rafee, Assistant Director-Engineering & Planning Department, Dubai Municipality who will address the students along with Mr. Masao Motoki, Managing Director, Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa and the event will also be attended by other senior dignitaries from both Government and private sector.
The BUiD SSS exhibition will be open to the general public from 2 pm onwards on 27th June at BUiD’s campus, Block 11, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai. For more information call 04-391 3626
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