University of Sharjah Achieves STARS Platinum Rating — First in the Middle East

The University of Sharjah (UoS) has become the first university in the Middle East to achieve the prestigious Platinum Rating under the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) administered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

This milestone places the UoS among an elite group of only 15 universities worldwide to have received this highest level of recognition — including eight universities from the United States, six from Canada, and now one from the Middle East.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, affirmed the University’s continued advancement, global presence, and leadership among prestigious peers across academic, scientific, and sustainability fields. H.H. highlighted that this recognition reflects the University’s strong commitment to sustainable development and its strategic alignment with the UAE’s and Sharjah’s sustainability and carbon neutrality agendas through education, research, innovation, and responsible operations.

The University achieved an exceptional 100% score in the category of sustainable education and research, reflecting its deep integration of sustainability across teaching, operations, and strategic planning — as well as its dedication to preparing a generation conscious of sustainable practices.

H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed congratulated the Board of Trustees, University leadership, academic, administrative, and technical staff, and students for this new accomplishment, emphasizing that it adds to the University’s remarkable record of achievements. These successes, he noted, result from a clear strategy, visionary leadership, and the collective efforts of the UoS community, with students always at the heart of its mission.

His Highness further stressed the University’s commitment to enhancing the academic and research environment by continuously improving curriculum design, research opportunities, innovation support, and overall student experience — all through the lens of sustainability in higher education.

The STARS programme is a transparent and comprehensive global system for measuring sustainability performance in higher education. It encourages institutions to pursue long-term sustainability goals, fosters continuous improvement, and supports the creation of diverse and high-performing academic communities committed to excellence in education and sustainable development.

The University of Sharjah first joined the STARS programme in 2021, earning Silver in its first year, then becoming the first Arab university to receive a Gold rating in 2022. Now, with its Platinum rating, the UoS reaffirms its global leadership in sustainability and its growing influence in shaping a sustainable future through education and innovation.