December 15th, 2014: The Canadian University Dubai Centre of Excellence for Innovation and Creativity (CEIC) and the Environmental Center for Arab Towns (ECAT) have joined together to work on a range of collaborative initiatives that will promote environmental awareness and sustainability, including the creation of a Green Universities Council.
The partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Mr. Hussain Abdulla Al Fardan, Director of ECAT, and Dr. Karim Chelli, President of Canadian University Dubai and CEO of Dubai Education LLC, of which the Centre of Excellence is a subsidiary.
The agreement will see the two organizations collaborate on regional activities to promote sustainable actions and to educate students and the wider community on the importance and benefits of going green. The partners will also work across the higher education sector through the new Council to encourage practical steps towards environmental development.
Operating under the umbrella of Dubai Municipality and with affiliations to the Arab Town Organization, ECAT is well established in providing technical expertise in environmental health, natural resources and urban sustainable development. Combined with CEIC's mission to harness innovation and creativity, this new partnership is expected to deliver some novel approaches to sustainable development promotion and education.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Mr. Hussain Abdulla Al Fardan recognized CUD's leading role in sustainability among higher education institutions and commended the University for driving the environmental agenda. The University's environmental credentials have previously been recognized with a Conservation Awards from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
Speaking on behalf of Dubai Education LLC, Dr. Karim Chelli said that the alliance was a natural union of two organizations that had a long tradition of collaboration.
"We have worked with Dubai Municipality since the inception of CUD and this agreement cements our partnership and establishes a hub for researchers, scholars and students to create and innovate, and to work together towards a sustainable and diversified economy through green development."
The signing ceremony event, which was introduced by Dr. Kiran Tangri, Director of the Centre of Excellence, also heard from Dr. Hoshiar Nooradin from CUD's School of Architecture and Interior Design about the development and future of the partnership.
This agreement is among a number of initiatives that the Centre of Excellence is progressing in support of the UAE's strategic goals for environmental sustainability and development, including the recent International Conference on Web and Open Access to Learning, which included a workshop dedicated to the Dubai 2020 Smart City vision.
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