American University of Sharjah
AC-10: Support for Sustainability Research

The AUS Office of Sustainability provides a limited number of financial grants to support student-led research that pilot innovative ways to improve campus sustainability. (https://www.aus.edu/sustainability/resource-library/sustainability-project-funding). As part of this program, the institution has piloted a reusable take away container initiative.

In the spring of 2024, AUS launched three cutting-edge research centers, each dedicated to addressing critical sustainability challenges and driving innovation in their respective fields. 

Hosted by the AUS College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the Materials Research Center (MRC) nurtures and promotes groundbreaking interdisciplinary research and education activities in the field of advanced materials and sustainable structures. The center focuses on providing novel solutions and developing highly skilled human resources that are critical to the UAE’s economic growth, particularly as it transitions from a petroleum-based economy to a diversified knowledge-based economy. MRC combines science disciplines and various branches of technology to discover new solutions in the energy, environmental, healthcare and construction sectors. Our faculty members are actively contributing to diverse areas of research across the fields of materials science and engineering , all of which lead to technological advancements and finding novel solutions for sustainability, surface engineering and 3D printing,  as well as in developing smart materials, and advanced composites with enhanced characteristics. The research center is also committed to supporting current PhD programs, particularly the PhD in Materials Science and Engineering program, where students are immersed in cutting-edge dissertation projects aligned with our focus areas. 

The Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development is a  multidisciplinary research center hosted by the AUS School of Business Administration (SBA). The center collaborates with strategic partners in Sharjah to bring the research innovations and promising ideas of students and faculty members to the marketplace. It also aims to assist entrepreneurial students, alumni and faculty in accessing and leveraging Sharjah’s innovation ecosystem and the broader landscape of the UAE. At the core of CEISD's work lies research on sustainable development, encompassing environmental, social and governance sustainability themes, as well as exploration into the catalysts for sustainable growth, notably entrepreneurship and innovation.

Hosted by the AUS College of Engineering (CEN), the Energy, Water and Sustainable Environment Research Center (EWSERC) aims to develop world-class research that focuses on making a significant impact in addressing global challenges in energy, water and environmental sustainability. Faculty and scholars at AUS are dedicated to finding practical solutions to the growing demands on resources in urban areas. There research enables AUS to contribute to several UAE strategic plans, such as UAE Net Zero 2050, the Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure (Vision 2021), the National Water and Energy Demand Management Program, the UAE Environment Policy, the UAE Circular Economy Policy, the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, the National Climate Change Plan of the UAE 2017-2050 and the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. The center works towards providing sustainable solutions, optimizing resource utilization and developing new technologies and infrastructures that address pressing challenges not just regionally, but on a global scale as well. It also aims to foster extensive collaboration with industries to bridge the gap between academia and industry, to ensure that the innovative solutions become tangible and leave a positive effect on both sectors.

The AUS Office of Research and Graduate Studies annually administers the Faculty Research Grant program to support faculty scholarly activities. 

The Provost Interdisciplinary Challenge Faculty Research Grant awards research conducted by Co-I(s) from more than one college /school and at least one international Co-I from a Top 300 institution (QS Ranking). To qualify for the Provost Interdisciplinary Challenge Faculty Research Grante, proposals have to make a convincing case that outcomes will have a significant impact to economic and societal development with an interdisciplinary approach.

The AUS University Library makes available a collection of research work from faculty and students at AUS in its D-Space Repository.

Undergraduate Student Work: https://dspace.aus.edu:8443/xmlui/handle/11073/8042

Graduate Student Work: https://dspace.aus.edu:8443/xmlui/handle/11073/7999

Faculty Work: https://dspace.aus.edu:8443/xmlui/handle/11073/8135

In spring 2024, the AUS library signed the 'Green Libraries Manifesto', signalling a commitment to sustainable support efforts in our space, resources and services. 

The Green Library Manifesto represents a crucial step forward in promoting sustainable practices in library environments. By signing this manifesto, libraries commit to integrate sustainability principles into their operations, collections, services and facilities. It serves as a guiding framework for libraries worldwide to adopt environmentally responsible practices, reduce their carbon footprint and advocate for environmental awareness and action within their communities.

More information can be found here:

https://www.aus.edu/media/news/aus-library-commits-to-green-library-manifesto-on-earth-day