Background
In the academic year 2014/2015, the Director of the Research Institute for Science and Engineering (RISE), submitted a proposal to H.E. the Chancellor, through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies (VCRGS), titled "Towards a Green University: Reducing the Use of Water and Electricity at the University of Sharjah".
It was proposed then that the RISE, which follows the Office of the VCRGS, sets up a team of specialized professors and students, in cooperation with the various institutions in Sharjah, to study the possibility of reducing energy and water consumption at the university following green campuses systems.
In 2015/2016, RISE recommended to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies formation of the "University Campus Sustainability Committee" to work in coordination with RISE Director, who nominated, in coordination with the VCRGS, the chair and members of the committee. The VCRGS formally formed the committee in his Decision No. 2 for the academic year 2016-2017 regarding "Formation of the University Campus Sustainability Committee".
Vision
RISE's vision was to turn the UoS campuses into living laboratories for sustainability considering the social, environmental and economic dimensions.
Objectives
The main objectives of the committee were to apply the sustainability principles to turn UoS campuses into more sustainable ones, recommend practical approaches for cutting the costs of energy and water consumption, raise the university's name in the community, raise faculty and students' awareness, and encourage research and education in the sustainability area.
University Campus Sustainability Committee (UCSC)
A committee was formed in RISE to work in coordination with Prof. Abdallah Shanableh, Director of the Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering (RISE ), to prepare a feasibility of applying sustainability measures on UOS campus. The members of the committee are:
1. Prof. Imad Alsyouf (Committee Chair), Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, College of Engineering
2. Dr. Chaouki Ghenai, Sustainable & Renewable Engineering
3. Dr. Emad Mushtaha, Architecture Engineering
4. Dr. Naser Nawayseh, Mechanical Engineering
5. Dr Tareq Merabtene, Civil & Environmental Engineering
6. Dr. Khaled Hamad, Civil & Environmental Engineering
7. Dr. Mohamed Abdallah, Civil & Environmental Engineering
8. Dr. Talal Bonny, Electrical & Computer Engineering
9. Dr. Amer Ghias, Electrical & Computer Engineering
10. Eng. Louay, Director of Physical Plant Department
in addition to Prof. Abdallah Shanableh (Supervising Coordinator), Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering
Terms of Reference of UCSC
RISE set the terms of reference (TOR) for the committee to facilitate its work (Click to view). The Committee aimed to work on developing a culture of sustainability at the university and to turn the campus into a living laboratory for sustainability considering the social, environmental and economic dimensions. Moreover, the committee aimed to study the issues related to energy, climate, water, food, waste, materials, buildings, land use, procurement, transportation, and users comfort. In particular, the committee to initially focus on assessing the feasibility of applying sustainability measures in the areas of energy, water and transportation.
Findings and Recommendations
The committee members met on a regular basis and conducted various studies. They presented their findings and recommendations to H.E. the Chancellor and the VCRGS.
1. Report on Findings of the Committee
2. Presentations of Key Findings and Recommendations
Achievements
H.E. The Chancellor adopted a Key Recommendation of the UCSC, which is to establish a University Sustainability Office. H.E, the Chancellor issued the Decision on 22ND October 2017. The Chair of the UCSC was appointed as director of the office.
On-Going Studies
(1) Sustainable Campus Project, In Collaboration with the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA)
(2) Electricity Consumption Study
(3) Sustainable Campus Transportation System
(4) Reduction of Energy Consumption and Use of Renewable Energy
(5) Reduction of Water Consumption
