| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.78 |
| Liaison | Imad Alsyouf |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2022 |
University of Sharjah
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
Students from the College of Communications conducted their internship at the Office of Sustainability Summer 2020 (2019/2020 AY). The role of the Communication trainees is to make media coverage on the sustainability efforts of the office through the outreach materials (Instagram account and newsletters).
A student of the College of Engineering conducted their internship at the Sustainability Office Summer 2020. (2019/2020 AY) The students worked on designing and developing the sustainable garden project.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
16 students from the College of Fine Arts have done the “Masterpieces” project in collaboration with Bee’ah Company, the largest waste management company in the UAE, with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of sustainability and preserving the environment through recycling, where unique pieces of furniture have been produced and placed on campus.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
1- The Quality of Air Conditioners in University of Sharjah Female Dorms were assessed as part of Senior research projects by students and faculty at the Department of Environmental Health Sciences to introduce possible mitigation measures and ensure a healthy indoor environment within University dorms
2- Groups of students from the Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department proposed Sustainability Initiatives as a class project where they design and carry out an action plan to enhance sustainability. Students selected from a large suite of alternative actions, most of which can be quantified for reductions in CO2 and energy consumption, as well as in cost savings in the buildings of the University of Sharjah.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
The University of Sharjah built solar houses (Solar Decathlon competition) with involving students from different engineering departments. The University participated in the 2018 solar Decathlon in Dubai. The University is building a new solar house for the 2020 solar decathlon competition. The solar house includes the following efficient appliances: Class A+ refrigerator, Class A+ Oven, Class A++ Freezer, Photocatalytic LED indoor lighting devices
Solar Decathlon Competition
- 2018 – First participation of the University of Sharjah to the SDME 2018.
- 2020 – Second participation of the UoS to solar decathlon competition.
- Raise awareness of the students participating in the competition – use of renewable energy technologies, energy management, and sustainable construction, challenging them to think creatively and develop innovative solutions that contribute to energy savings.
- Encourage professionals from different industries to select materials and systems that reduce the environmental impact of their buildings, optimizing their economic viability and providing comfort and safety of occupants.
- Educate the general public about responsible energy use, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the technologies available to help them to reduce/optimize their energy consumption.
o Encourage the use of solar technologies and demonstrate the performance of solar homes.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
The University of Sharjah built solar houses (Solar Decathlon competition) with involving students from deferent engineering departments. The University participated to the 2018 solar Decathlon in Dubai. The University is building new solar house for 2020 solar decathlon competition. The solar house includes the following efficient appliances: Class A+ refrigerator, Class A+ Oven, Class A++ Freezer, Photocatalytic LED indoor lighting devices
Solar Decathlon Competition
o 2018 – First participation of the University of Sharjah to the SDME 2018.
o 2020 – Second participation of the UoS to solar decathlon competition.
o Raise awareness of the students participating in the competition – use of renewable energy technologies, energy management and sustainable construction, challenging them to think creatively and develop innovative solutions that contribute to energy savings.
o Encourage professionals from different industries to select materials and systems that reduce the environmental impact of their buildings, optimizing its economic viability and providing comfort and safety of occupants.
o Educate the general public about responsible energy use, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the technologies available to help them to reduce/optimize their energy consumption.
o Encourage the use of solar technologies and demonstrate the performance of solar homes.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
Vending machines: Assessment of consumption and effect of providing healthier food items at the University of Sharjah is a senior research project being held by Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics senior students with aim to assess the attitudes and trends of consumption of vending machine foods at the University of Sharjah. The secondary aim is to introduce a variety of healthy products and introduce an education intervention on vending machines as an opportunity to improve the product quality and assist the users in food choices after investigating the nutritional value of the product already available at vending machines. An online-based questionnaire was announced through the university portal. A screenshot of the email sent to all students and staff as well as links to the online survey are attached and available.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
Two Master students have worked to develop a sustainable solution that converts selected yards at the UOS campus into livable green spaces and relaxation areas to be used by the UOS community members all over the year.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
-
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
-
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Students from the College of Fine Arts and Desing conducted a masterpieces project on campus in collaboration with Bee’ah Waste Management Company. Unique pieces of furniture have been produced and placed on campus.
In addition, students from the College of Medicine have participated in the composting project as a part of their course activity.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
"A Comparative Study of Microbial Contamination between University and Household Bottled Water Dispensers" was conducted as part of a Senior research project by students and faculty at the Department of Environmental Health Sciences to ensure safe water quality for the University community and outreach to the Sharjah community
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
The Sustainability Office has engaged students from different engineering departments to collect and analyze data required for different sustainability ranking systems such as "STARS" and "UIGWUR".
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.