New awards unveiled during forum on global collaboration in sustainable education
August 14, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has announced the launch of 20 new scholarship awards to promote equal access to educational excellence for students across the Silk-Road Universities Network (SUN). The announcement was made during the ‘Advancing International Collaboration in Sustainability Education for Social Justice Forum’, hosted by CUD and attended by participants from around the world, including Australia, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.
Open to students enrolled at SUN member institutions, the scholarships aim to support future leaders equipped to address complex social, economic, and environmental challenges through education, research, innovation, and international collaboration.
Focusing on how higher education institutions can strengthen collaboration to create meaningful social impact, the Forum brought together a distinguished panel comprising Professor Sungdon Hwang, Secretary-General of the Silk-Road Universities Network; Professor Mai Thai, Director of Social Business Creation at HEC Montréal, Canada; and Professor Christopher Hill, Vice President of Global Engagement at Canadian University Dubai. The event commenced with welcome remarks by Dr. Chureerat Haq, Assistant Professor and Manager of the Centre for Sustainability and Innovation at CUD, followed by an address from Professor Karim Chelli, President and Vice-Chancellor of CUD. In his remarks, Professor Chelli underscored the vital role of universities in advancing sustainability, fostering international collaboration, and preparing future generations to address complex global challenges. The discussion that followed explored institutional approaches to sustainability education and examined how strategic international partnerships can drive meaningful and lasting impact at both local and global levels.
During the first panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Soumaya Askri, Assistant Professor, School of Management, CUD’s Professor Hill highlighted the importance of developing innovative forms of international collaboration that reduce environmental impact. He discussed how universities can harness digital platforms and emerging technologies to support meaningful engagement across borders, without relying solely on international travel. He also cited examples of how digital tools can enable users to visualize climate change impacts in real-time scenarios, helping to make complex environmental issues more accessible and actionable for learners.
Professor Thai spoke about aligning educational programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by integrating themes such as equality, climate action, and social responsibility across all academic disciplines. Professor Thai also highlighted the value of experiential learning opportunities and community-based, credit-bearing projects that allow students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world social challenges while generating tangible local impact.
Addressing the importance of global partnerships, Professor Hwang discussed SUN’s Maritime Voyage program, a month-long educational journey that enables students to visit different ports, experience cultural diversity, and engage with peers and mentors from member universities. The program encourages participants to explore the historical and economic significance of the Maritime Silk Road while fostering intercultural understanding and collaboration. Professor Hwang also stressed the importance of cross-border research partnerships in advancing solutions to shared global challenges.
The forum concluded with reflections on future opportunities for collaboration and the announcement of the CUD scholarships. Explaining the impetus behind the initiative, Professor Chelli said, “At Canadian University Dubai, sustainability is not a standalone initiative. It is woven into the fabric of our institution, shaping our academic programs, guiding our research priorities, informing our community engagement, and influencing the way we prepare future leaders. We believe that universities must do more than impart knowledge; they must serve as catalysts for positive change and contribute actively to building more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable societies.”
Highlighting the significance of the scholarship program, Professor Chelli added: “This initiative reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to education, strengthening academic collaboration, encouraging cross-cultural engagement, and investing in the next generation of global leaders. Through initiatives such as this, we seek to translate partnership into opportunity and shared vision into meaningful impact.”
The scholarships are open to eligible applicants enrolled at member institutions of the Silk-Road Universities Network (SUN) who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to advancing sustainable development. Preference will be given to students with a record of academic excellence, participation in research, innovation, international engagement, and community service activities.
Special consideration may be extended to applicants whose studies, research interests, or initiatives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including areas such as Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Climate Resilience, Smart Cities, Renewable Energy, International Business, Social Justice, Social Business, and related disciplines. Applicants should also demonstrate a commitment to fostering cross-cultural collaboration and contributing to positive social, economic, or environmental impact within their communities and beyond.
The International Sustainability Forum was organized by the Centre for Sustainability and Innovation at Canadian University Dubai. The Centre’s mission is to advance sustainability through interdisciplinary research, innovative education, strategic partnerships, and engagement that foster knowledge exchange and develop practical solutions to environmental, social, and economic challenges. By empowering students, researchers, industry partners, and community stakeholders, the Centre supports Dubai’s sustainable transformation and contributes to global sustainability goals. Its initiatives align with national priorities of the United Arab Emirates, including the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, UAE Vision 2031, and the UAE Centennial 2071, while also advancing the broader objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.