SDG11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

SDG 11 in the UAE: Sustainable Cities and Communities

UAE Government Efforts to Support SDG 11

The UAE has committed to SDG 11, "Sustainable Cities and Communities," by implementing policies that promote smart urban planning, green building practices, and accessible infrastructure. The government’s UAE Vision 2021 emphasizes sustainable urban development, and initiatives like the Masdar City project demonstrate this commitment. Masdar City is a model for sustainable urban living, focusing on renewable energy, green transportation, and resource-efficient buildings. Additionally, the UAE has introduced various regulations to reduce emissions, increase green spaces, and improve public transportation to make cities more livable and resilient to climate change.

Programs like the Green Building Regulations encourage the use of energy-efficient materials and sustainable practices in construction, while city-wide green spaces and waste management systems enhance environmental quality and public health in urban areas. The UAE’s focus on integrating modern infrastructure with sustainability goals is in line with SDG 11’s objectives of creating inclusive and sustainable cities.

Al Ain University (AAU) and SDG 11: Creating Sustainable Campus and Community Engagement

Al Ain University (AAU) supports SDG 11 by integrating sustainable development principles into its campus infrastructure and operations. The university uses energy-efficient lighting and smart water systems to minimize resource use, creating a model for sustainable facilities. AAU also engages students in urban sustainability topics through academic courses and community initiatives. The university’s collaborations with local organizations include projects on sustainable urban planning, waste reduction, and environmental awareness workshops that benefit the community.

Furthermore, AAU promotes a culture of sustainable practices on campus by organizing events on green transportation, eco-friendly architecture, and resource-efficient living. These efforts enable students to understand the importance of sustainable urbanization and to apply these principles in their lives, contributing to the UAE's SDG 11 goals.

In summary, both the UAE government and Al Ain University foster sustainable development through policies, projects, and educational initiatives. By advancing resource-efficient urban models and promoting environmental awareness, they support the creation of sustainable cities and communities aligned with SDG 11.

The College of Communication and Media organized the Heritage Exhibition

The College of Communication and Media at Al Ain University (Abu Dhabi Campus), under the sponsorship of the General Women's Union, organized a heritage exhibition titled "We Inherited It, We Preserve It for the Future" to commemorate World Heritage Day.

The exhibition is part of the requirements for one of the Public Relations specialization graduation projects, and It hosted the researcher and narrator, His Excellency Hamad bin Hamdan Al Matroushi, the honorary president of the Ajman Society for Folk Arts and Theatre, university students participated in cultural and entertainment segments of the exhibition, such as the "Zayed's Descendants" segment, which shed light on the importance of the family's role in transmitting heritage knowledge to the children, the future generations.

The exhibition concluded its activities with a tour among heritage tales and events documenting Emirati life in the past and its role in enhancing the present and the future.

Increasing awareness of Emirati heritage through the event "The History of Our Ancestors, The Future of Our Descendants"

As part of their graduation project in public relations, students from the College of Communication and Media at the Abu Dhabi Campus organized an event called "The History of Our Ancestors, The Future of Our Grandchildren". The event aimed to promote loyalty and belonging to the Emirati community, increase awareness of Emirati heritage and shed light on Emirati life in the past.

To achieve these goals, the students organized a heritage exhibition showcasing the most significant aspects of Emirati life, customs, and traditions on various occasions. In addition, the event featured a series of student competitions and the distribution of "Haq al-Laila", a traditional Emirati custom that brings joy and delight to children. The exhibition was held throughout the day on the Abu Dhabi campus, with the participation of many students, as well as academic and administrative staff of the university.

AAU Celebrates the 52nd UAE National Day

Al Ain University celebrated the 52nd UAE National Day, commemorating the noble meanings and noble goals achieved by the efforts of the founding father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, May God have mercy on him.

The celebrations were attended by Dr. Noor El Deen Atatreh- Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Ghaleb Al-Refae- AAU President, Prof. Amer Qasem, AAU Vice President (Abu Dhabi Campus), and Prof. Ibtehal Abu Rezeq, Vice President for Development and Follow-up Affairs and Dean of Student Affairs.

The Celebration on both campuses included different activities, such as; a heritage exhibition showcasing the UAE heritage and culture and traditional arts that reflect the UAE’s heritage authenticity, heritage tent, traditional foods corner and hawks show, military band show, Youla shows, traditional dances, theatrical performances and poetry shows which express the joy of citizens of this historic day, their loyalty and gratitude to the leadership.

It is worth mentioning that the celebrations had many visitors and attendees who expressed their love, loyalty, and belonging to the UAE.

Al Ain University and Abu Dhabi Police organize a competition to promote the traffic culture of the community [1]

During the holy month of Ramadan, Al Ain University partnered with the Abu Dhabi Police to organize a competition on social media platforms aimed at raising awareness and promoting safe driving practices while reducing negative behavior on the road. Topics covered in the competition included fastening seat belts, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles, avoiding distractions while driving, refraining from using phones, following traffic signals and rules, and the penalties and consequences of violations. The university hopes that this initiative will help instill a culture of responsible driving and increase awareness among drivers, ultimately leading to a reduction in accidents and injuries. By collaborating with various institutions, including Abu Dhabi Police, Al Ain University is committed to making a positive contribution to society through workshops, awareness lectures, and other activities. The competition is open to all members of the community in the United Arab Emirates, with valuable prizes provided by Abu Dhabi Police for those who participate and answer questions correctly.

Increasing awareness of Emirati heritage through the event "The History of Our Ancestors, The Future of Our Descendants" [2]

Traffic Awareness Workshop in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Police [3]

In cooperation with Abu Dhabi Police (Traffic and Patrols Department), the Deanship of Student Affairs at Al Ain University (Abu Dhabi Campus) organized a traffic awareness workshop presented by Major Ahmed Abdullah Al Muhairi.

The lecture included a detailed explanation of digital traffic awareness, mobile phone hazards, safety procedures in case of weather fluctuations, vehicle breakdown procedures, the Darb Al Salama campaign, speeding, and seat belts, in addition to the most important laws to be followed while driving.

The workshop aimed to raise traffic safety awareness among the students. In line with this aim, the Deanship of Student Affairs at Al Ain University launched the Traffic Safety Committee which will embark in voluntary and advisory work to promote traffic awareness and public safety amongst university students and the local community.

Al Ain University promotes the concept of heritage among students [4]

On the occasion of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, the Deanship of Student Affairs (Abu Dhabi Campus), in cooperation with the College of Communication and Media, organized an introductory session entitled; Saving Our Heritage for the Next Generation, presented by Dr. Ahmad Al Jumah - Assistant Professor.

The session aimed to raise awareness of the importance of heritage as it is the identity of every country, and the importance of audio-visual materials in introducing this historical and cultural heritage. In addition, the event aimed at emphasizing the important role of students in contributing to preserving these materials and publishing them on social networking sites for the benefit of the public and to pass them on to future generations.

Opportunities for AAU Students with the Department of Culture and Tourism [5]

The Deanship of Student Affairs at the University (Abu Dhabi Campus), in cooperation with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, organized a meeting with Al Ain University students. The meeting included a detailed explanation given by Ms. Camelia Issa Muslim - Senior Awareness Specialist - Education and Awareness Department, about the role of the Department of Culture and Tourism in preserving the Emirati heritage and promoting tourist places in Abu Dhabi. It also provided students with volunteer opportunities, such as; Abu Dhabi Art - Al Ain Traditional Crafts Festival, Al Hosn Festival, and the Maritime Festival. In addition to the opportunities to join the work experience program in the department.

The organization of this meeting aims to enhance cultural awareness among students, and encourage them to participate in activities and interact with the community.

A virtual trip to the Louvre Abu Dhabi [6]

The Deanship of Student Affairs (Abu Dhabi Campus), in cooperation with the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum Administration, organized a virtual promotional session for a group of students of the College of Communication and Media to get to know the museum and its art collection, presented by Ms. Aisha Al Dhaheri - Museum Education Officer. The session, dealt with an introduction to the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum and an introduction to the education and educational resources in the museum, in addition to the educational programs in the fifth season. She also gave a detailed explanation of the research center at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

A delegation from Al Ain University visit Al Muraba Police Museum [7]

The Alumni Office at Al Ain University (AAU) organized a visit to Al Muraba Police Museum, which shows the history of Abu Dhabi Police, and includes military holdings such as old weapons and military uniforms, along with historical stories, information, and documents that highlight the legacy of Abu Dhabi Police and its important role in maintaining security and stability in the region.

The delegation of AAU included Dr. Samir Duqmaq, Director of the Special Education and Applied Psychology Programs, managers of the Alumni Office in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, and a number of graduates of the applied psychology program at the university.

They were received by a group of policemen, researchers, and guides at the museum, who in turn welcomed the delegation and gave them a tour. The museum includes several sections, each of them shows a specific aspect of the ancient history of Abu Dhabi Police since its establishment in 1957, and the development of the costumes, weapons, and equipment. The delegation also visited the library, which includes various books of all disciplines, the first magazines issued for the police, and historical documents.

The visit aims to enhance interaction with other institutions and communities and to thank the police for their efforts in serving the country and society, especially during the Corona pandemic period. In addition to introducing the applied psychology program at the university, and enhancing cooperation between the two sides to hold joint awareness workshops and involve AAU students and graduates in volunteer activities organized by Abu Dhabi Police.

Smart Cities & Internet of Things

https://aau.ac.ae/en/events/2018/smart-cities-internet-of-things

Start 11, Dec 2018 12:30 PM

Abu Dhabi Campus - Al Dhafra Hall

The College of Engineering invites you to attend a seminar about

“Smart Cities & Internet of Things”

On Tuesday 11 Dec 2018

At Al Dhafra Hall – Abu Dhabi Campus

Which will include two technical talks:

First Talk	I have graduated, what's next in I.T?
Speaker	Mr. Saadallah Mohamad, Cybersecurity Expert
Time	12:30 PM

Second talk	UAVs as a Service (UaaS) for Wireless Networks
Speaker	Prof. Ahmed E. Kamal, IEEE Fellow (Iowa State University, USA)
Time	1:30 PM

Third Talk	Robust Crowd sensing for Intelligent Road Services
Speaker	Prof. Hossam Hassanein, IEEE Fellow (Queen's University, Canada).
Time	2:30 PM

College of Engineering shows the Smart Cities Applications

The College of Engineering at Al Ain University organized a seminar entitled “Smart Cities & Internet of Things” at the Abu Dhabi Campus, which includes three technical talks. It was attended by, Dr. Amer Qasem- AAU Vice President, Dr. Qutaibah Al Thebyan- Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Faten Kharbat- Deputy Dean, Prof. Bassam Harb, Dean of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, the College of Engineering academics from both campuses Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, and engineering students.

Mr. Saadallah Chebaro, Cybersecurity Expert, started the session with a lecture entitled “I have Graduated, What’s Next in IT!”, where he walked through the stages required to get a job and to be successful in any area of IT by defining the career path, technology path, learning path, and certification path.

Then, Prof. Ahmed E. Kamal, IEEE Fellow (Iowa State University, USA), gave a presentation about “UAVs as a Service (Uaas) for Wireless Networks”. He explained that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been used in military domains for many years. Recently, they have found many applications in civilian domains, and the number of these applications is expected to grow with UAVs being integrated in society. This talk focused on the services provided by UAVs for applications supported wireless communications and networking, which we refer to as Uaas for Wireless Networks.

Finally, Prof. Hossam Hassanein, IEEE Fellow (Queen's University, Canada), concluded the session with “Robust Crowd sensing for Intelligent Road Services”. He enlightened the audience with the success of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and how it relies on their ability to provide real drivers and municipalities with accurate real-time information. Moreover, he explained how the proposed system, iDriveSense, integrates sensor technologies available in both the vehicles and the driver smartphones to provide advanced, robust localization and accurate monitoring of vehicle dynamics and driver behavior.

The seminar witnessed a positive interaction with the audience, and was organized in order to enhance the academics and student’s knowledge to keep them updated with the latest developments in the engineering field.

SDG11

SDGs