4 ways to know you are studying at a sustainable university

A sustainable university will offer relevant insights into environmental and social challenges and educate students on the importance of sustainable practices. 

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University does this in several ways. The first is through its curriculum: the school has introduced sustainability-focused modules across different programmes, such as modules in waste management, air pollution monitoring and management, and eco design and sustainability.  

IAU also offers sustainability conferences, to educate students and staff about different environmental and social issues.   

Additionally, IAU has signed partnerships with government and non-governmental organisations to help achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is working together with other universities, charities and governmental organisations around the world to help reach these SDGs.  

These partnerships include the Eastern Province Council for Social Responsibility; Ertiqa Charitable Society; Etaam Saudi Food Bank; Girl Development, and the Sharqia Development Authority. 

Of course, a significant part of being a sustainable university is taking efforts to make the university’s campus more environmentally friendly.  

“When we talk about enhancing the student experience, the sustainability initiatives at IAU aren’t just an option, they’re a necessity,” said Dr Alomair. 

IAU has taken on a number of sustainability initiatives:  

• Recycling 100 percent of its organic and inorganic waste 
• Offering E-Scooters for staff and students to rent: This reduces greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging riders to use sustainable transportation methods which are charged and operated with solar energy. 
• Planting trees: The H.E. President of IAU created this initiative to encourage students and staff to care for the environment.  
• Adding solar signage and solar lights on campus: This ensures that the energy provided is from a more sustainable source. 
• Introducing electricity saving equipment: This cuts down on wasted energy usage.  

The aim of these initiatives is to reduce the university’s carbon emissions and to create a greener university campus. IAU is also considering a major sustainability-led campus renovation project which will help improve the student experience.  

Abdullah said: “The initiatives taken by our university can have a grand impact on creating positive change and helping to minimise harm to the planet. These actions will bring lifelong benefits to campus life.” 

A university cannot become sustainable without the help and support of its students and staff. A sustainable university therefore aims to involve students in every step of its sustainability initiatives. 

Faisal Abdulaziz Alfawaz, an IAU student at the College of Computer Science and Information Technology, said: “The university frequently organises events to get students involved. An example of this is the e-waste recycling campaign, which encouraged students to donate their obsolete mobiles, laptops and computers.” 

Initiatives such as this can make students more conscious on how they use energy, and help them make better choices on the products they use and buy. 

Dr Alomair said: “At IAU we believe that sustainability is the key to a better future for our students and the community.”