17.2.4

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through international research collaboration, comparative learning and the exchange of sustainable development practices.

The University recognises that complex challenges involving climate change, energy efficiency, public health and responsible management require cooperation among researchers, institutions and practitioners operating in different countries.

CUD works internationally to examine alternative approaches, exchange scientific methodologies, evaluate sustainability-related solutions and contribute to the development and dissemination of practices that can inform sustainable development.

The University's activities include collaborative environmental research with institutions in France and Canada, participation in international expert discussions on energy-efficient buildings, health research capacity-building with the University of Oxford and responsible management education through the global PRME network.

These activities connect international research, technical knowledge and educational practice with the wider aims of the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Overview of International Best-Practice Collaboration

CUD's international collaboration includes research, technical exchange, capacity-building and sustainability reporting.

These collaborations provide opportunities to review research approaches, share expertise and develop or disseminate evidence relevant to sustainable development.

The documented activities differ in scope: some have produced completed research outputs, while others establish programmes or collaborative frameworks for knowledge exchange.

2. International Collaboration on Sustainable Building Best Practices

Collaborative Network: Canadian University Dubai, La Rochelle University and Université de Sherbrooke

Participating Countries: United Arab Emirates, France and Canada

Research Focus: Sustainable construction, resilient buildings, energy efficiency and climate-responsive architecture

Relevant SDGs: SDG 7 — Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 13 — Climate Action

CUD participates in an international research collaboration with La Rochelle University and Université de Sherbrooke to advance scientific and technical knowledge concerning sustainable buildings.

The participating institutions bring together expertise in architecture, building engineering, material science and energy performance.

The collaboration addresses challenges associated with construction-related environmental impacts, energy demand and the resilience of buildings in changing climatic conditions.

International Comparative Research Themes

The network examines different approaches to improving sustainable building performance.

These themes provide a research basis for comparing technical approaches and assessing their suitability for different building conditions.

First International Workshop — 2 April 2024

The first workshop on Sustainable Materials and Energies for Resilient Buildings was held at Université de Sherbrooke in Canada.

Researchers from CUD, La Rochelle University and Université de Sherbrooke participated in discussions concerning building technologies and sustainable architectural approaches.

The workshop addressed subjects including three-dimensional construction printing, thermal behaviour and heat and mass transfer in building materials.

The activity established a documented platform for international comparison and research exchange among the three institutions.

Second International Workshop — 9 April 2025

Location: La Rochelle University, France

Collaborating Institutions: Canadian University Dubai, La Rochelle University and Université de Sherbrooke

Workshop Chairs: Professor Rafik Belarbi, Dr. Ammar Yahia and Dr. Seif Khiati

The Second Workshop on Sustainable Materials and Energies for Resilient Buildings was held on 9 April 2025.

The workshop continued the three-university collaboration and brought researchers together to exchange approaches to improving sustainable building performance.

Topics Addressed in 2025

The programme examined:

• Sustainable construction materials.
• Energy-efficient building design.
• Three-dimensional printing in construction.
• Heat and mass transfer in porous materials.
• Climate-responsive architecture.

These topics represent complementary research approaches to shared environmental challenges.

The workshop provided opportunities for researchers to examine developments across different technical fields and institutional research settings.

Contribution to International Best Practice

The collaboration supports the development and exchange of knowledge concerning sustainable building design and construction.

It provides a platform for researchers in the UAE, France and Canada to:

1. Present and examine different technical approaches.
2. Discuss research methodologies and performance considerations.
3. Compare the potential applications of sustainable building technologies.
4. Identify research directions for improving energy efficiency and resilience.
5. Share findings across institutional and national boundaries.

The workshops demonstrate ongoing international collaborative review of sustainability-related research approaches.

They are not presented as proof that a particular building standard was formally adopted by CUD or another institution without separate implementation evidence.

Official CUD Evidence: https://www.cud.ac.ae/sustainability/activities-and-news

3. International Expert Collaboration on Energy-Efficient Building Technologies

Smart Materials for Energy-Efficient Built Environment Control — 2025

Date: 10–11 June 2025

Location: Paris, France

CUD Representative: Professor Dr.-Ing. Rafik Belarbi

International Research Context: IEA Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme — Annex 92

Relevant SDGs: SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 11 and SDG 13

In June 2025, Professor Rafik Belarbi represented Canadian University Dubai at the international symposium on Smart Materials for Energy-Efficient Built Environment Control (SMBEC2025) in Paris.

He delivered an expert presentation and participated in discussions involving international researchers working on advanced building materials and energy performance.

The meetings included engagement with an international expert community associated with IEA EBC Annex 92: Smart Materials for Energy-Efficient Heating, Cooling and Indoor Air Quality Control in Residential Buildings.

International Research Exchange

The international programme brought together researchers and experts from institutions including:

• Princeton University.
• Harvard University.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• Syracuse University.
• Technical University of Denmark.
• National Research Council Canada.
• Hunan University.
• Université Paris-Saclay.
• La Rochelle University.

CUD's participation connected its sustainable-building research expertise with a broader international technical community.

Best-Practice Research Focus

The expert discussions concerned approaches to:

• Improving building energy efficiency.
• Developing advanced materials for heating and cooling performance.
• Improving indoor air quality.
• Reducing energy demand through material innovation.
• Evaluating technologies for more sustainable residential buildings.

These topics are relevant to developing transferable scientific and technical approaches for sustainable construction.

CUD's Contribution

Professor Belarbi contributed through an expert presentation and participation in international research discussions.

The activity demonstrates CUD's engagement in the exchange and critical consideration of approaches being examined by institutions from multiple countries.

It supports international dissemination of knowledge on energy-efficient building technologies.

Participation in the expert meeting is documented; specific authorship of an Annex technical recommendation or standard would require separate confirmation.

Official CUD Evidence: https://www.cud.ac.ae/sustainability/activities-and-news

4. International Research Evaluating Sustainable Building Solutions

Modular Green Walls: A Sustainable Architectural Solution for Energy Efficiency in Oceanic Climates

Publication Year: 2025

Journal: Energy and Buildings

Volume: 342

Article Number: 115850

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.115850

International Research Partners

The publication was authored by researchers affiliated with:

• Université Clermont Auvergne, France.
• Canadian University Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• University of La Rochelle, France.

The research team included Salah-Eddine Ouldboukhitine, Amer Bakkour, Seif Khiati and Rafik Belarbi.

Seif Khiati and Rafik Belarbi were affiliated with CUD, while Rafik Belarbi also listed an affiliation with the University of La Rochelle.

Research Problem

Buildings require energy for cooling and maintaining comfortable indoor environments.

Green wall systems offer a potential passive design strategy to reduce solar heat exposure and improve thermal performance.

However, their performance can depend on environmental conditions and building configuration.

The international research team investigated the thermal effectiveness of modular green walls in the oceanic climate of La Rochelle, France.

Comparative Research Design

The study compared two experimental structures:

1. A house-like rectangular block equipped with a prefabricated modular living wall.
2. A similar reference structure without vegetation.

Researchers measured external surface temperatures to evaluate the thermal effect of the green wall system.

The study also included numerical analysis of a three-storey building, comparing cooling demand with and without green walls.

Quantitative Findings

The findings demonstrate the potential benefits of modular green walls under the conditions studied.

The study provides evidence relevant to the evaluation of passive cooling strategies and energy-efficient building design.

Contribution to Best-Practice Development

The research contributes to the international evidence base for sustainable architecture by:

• Comparing a sustainable building technology with a reference configuration.
• Applying measurable thermal-performance indicators.
• Combining experimental findings with numerical modelling.
• Assessing the potential benefits of a passive cooling approach.
• Providing findings that can inform subsequent research and design decisions.

This work demonstrates how international research collaboration can evaluate alternative technical approaches and generate evidence relevant to the development of improved sustainable building practices.

The reported numerical results are specific to the experimental and modelling conditions examined.

They are not presented as universal building-performance guarantees or as evidence of a formal construction guideline adopted by CUD.

Research Publication: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.115850

5. International Collaboration for Public Health Research Best Practices

Canadian University Dubai and the University of Oxford — The Global Health Network

Partnership Announcement: 18 July 2024

International Partner: University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Network: The Global Health Network (TGHN)

CUD's Role: Regional MENA hub and implementing partner in an international public health research initiative

Relevant SDGs: SDG 3 — Good Health and Wellbeing; SDG 4 — Quality Education; SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals

Partnership Overview

In July 2024, CUD announced an agreement with the University of Oxford to host the Middle East and North Africa regional hub of The Global Health Network within CUD's Department of Public Health.

The agreement establishes a framework for strengthening public health research capacity and international knowledge exchange.

The Global Health Network supports research capacity-building and the sharing of expertise among health researchers, including those working in low- and middle-income countries.

Comparative Learning and Research Capacity

The collaboration focuses on connecting researchers and institutions to improve access to knowledge, training and research opportunities.

Its planned activities include:

• Exchange of expertise in public health research.
• Development of research capacity.
• Collaboration among academic institutions, government agencies and NGOs.
• Access to research learning resources.
• Exploration of responsible artificial intelligence in healthcare.
• Cross-regional cooperation on public health challenges.

Artificial Intelligence for Global Health

CUD was named as an implementing partner in the Artificial Intelligence for Global Health in Asia initiative.

The project aims to explore how artificial intelligence can support public health research while addressing responsible implementation and context-specific challenges.

The collaboration envisages an open-access, multilingual digital platform to support researchers and stakeholders through learning resources, collaboration tools and shared expertise.

Relevance to Best-Practice Development

The partnership provides a structured international mechanism for sharing health research approaches and developing capacity among different regions.

It is particularly relevant to SDG 3 and SDG 17 because it connects institutions working on the equitable development and application of research knowledge.

The 2024 agreement establishes CUD's intended regional role and planned activities.

The launch and operation of individual project outputs during 2025 would require separate verification.

Official CUD Evidence: https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/canadian-university-dubai-joins-university-oxford-establish-global-health-network-mena-region

6. International Collaboration on Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in a Sustainable World

Partnership Announcement: 2 July 2024

Collaborating Partners:

• Canadian University Dubai.
• UC Berkeley AMENA Center for Entrepreneurship and Development.
• World Innovations Network (WIN).

Programme: Innovation and Entrepreneurship in a Sustainable World

Relevant SDGs: SDG 4 — Quality Education; SDG 8 — Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals

Programme Overview

CUD collaborated with UC Berkeley AMENA and WIN to launch an eight-week certificate programme focused on entrepreneurship and sustainability.

The programme combines expertise from university faculty, international entrepreneurs, business mentors and professionals.

It was designed to help participants address social, environmental and economic challenges through practical projects and sustainable business approaches.

International Educational Practices

The programme incorporates:

• Project-based experiential learning.
• International mentoring and expert guidance.
• Application of artificial intelligence to entrepreneurial problem-solving.
• Ethical and sustainable business practices.
• Collaborative development of business solutions.
• Evaluation and feedback from local and international experts.

Programme Design

The announced programme provides opportunities for participants to develop entrepreneurship skills through practical projects and mentorship.

It was designed to draw upon the international experience of UC Berkeley AMENA, WIN and participating industry experts.

The programme's final projects were intended to be evaluated by experienced educators, entrepreneurs, investors and international specialists.

Contribution to Best-Practice Development

The collaboration represents an international effort to develop and deliver an educational model combining sustainability, entrepreneurship, mentorship and experiential learning.

Its design demonstrates the integration of educational approaches from multiple institutional and professional settings.

The initiative is included as historical evidence of an international sustainability education collaboration announced in 2024.

Official CUD Evidence: https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/cud-partners-uc-berkeley-amena-and-win-innovative-entrepreneurship-and-sustainability

7. International Exchange of Responsible Management Education Practices

Principles for Responsible Management Education — PRME

CUD Participation: Since June 2021

International Network: Principles for Responsible Management Education

Relevant SDGs: All 17 Sustainable Development Goals

CUD participates in PRME, a global initiative supporting the integration of responsible management education and sustainable development into higher education.

A principal mechanism of PRME participation is the Sharing Information on Progress (SIP) reporting process.

CUD's SIP Reporting

CUD's PRME institutional profile identifies SIP reports for:

The 2025 SIP Report provides evidence that CUD participated in the international reporting and information-sharing process during the relevant reporting year.

Developing and Sharing Good Practices

PRME's SIP framework is designed to encourage institutions to:

• Reflect on the implementation of responsible management education.
• Document sustainability-related activities and outcomes.
• Share institutional approaches with international peers.
• Communicate lessons learned and examples of good practice.
• Identify areas for future institutional improvement.
• Contribute to a shared body of international learning.

The framework supports comparative learning through the documentation and exchange of institutional sustainability practices.

CUD's participation contributes its own institutional experiences to this international system and enables engagement with the practices shared by other signatories.

Reporting and Learning Framework

The submission of a SIP report demonstrates participation in international knowledge sharing. It does not, by itself, establish that CUD completed a formal benchmarking study of other signatories or adopted a specific external policy.

Primary Evidence

CUD PRME Profile: https://www.unprme.org/canadian-university-dubai

CUD SIP Report 2025: https://commons-static.s3.amazonaws.com/reports/572e20738130fddc7c389f2ab14f4e4b22a97c39/Canadian+University+Dubai+-+SIP+2025.pdf

8. Summary of International Best-Practice Activities

CUD's international collaborations support different stages of developing and sharing approaches to sustainable development.

These activities demonstrate that international collaboration at CUD extends beyond institutional agreements to include research comparisons, technical exchanges and the development of educational approaches.

9. Institutional Framework for International Collaboration

CUD's international best-practice activities are supported by its academic research functions, sustainability initiatives and international partnerships.

Collaborative Research

CUD researchers work with international academic institutions on subjects including energy efficiency, sustainable materials, public health and emerging technologies.

Research and Knowledge Exchange

International workshops, technical meetings and joint research outputs facilitate discussion of approaches to common sustainability challenges.

Educational Collaboration

Partnerships with international institutions and professional networks provide opportunities to integrate experiential learning, mentorship and responsible development principles into educational programmes.

Sustainability Reporting

PRME reporting provides a structured international framework for communicating CUD's sustainability activities and institutional approaches.

These complementary mechanisms connect research, education, international engagement and the sharing of sustainability practices.

10. Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals

CUD's international collaborations contribute to SDG Target 17.16 through the exchange of knowledge, scientific expertise and institutional practices.

They also support SDG Target 17.6 concerning international cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

SDG 7 — Affordable and Clean Energy

Research collaboration on sustainable construction and advanced materials contributes knowledge relevant to improving energy efficiency.

SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

International research and entrepreneurship partnerships support the evaluation and development of innovative sustainable technologies and practices.

SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities

Joint research on resilient and energy-efficient buildings contributes evidence relevant to sustainable built environments.

SDG 13 — Climate Action

The evaluation of passive cooling and low-carbon building technologies contributes to approaches that can reduce environmental impacts.

SDG 3 — Good Health and Wellbeing

The Oxford / Global Health Network partnership provides a framework for international public health research capacity-building and knowledge exchange.

SDG 4 — Quality Education

PRME participation and international entrepreneurship education collaborations support the exchange and development of sustainability-oriented educational practices.

Institutional Commitment

Canadian University Dubai recognises that sustainable development requires international collaboration to examine different approaches, share expertise and develop more effective solutions.

During 2025, CUD participated in international research and expert exchange on sustainable building technologies, including the Second Workshop on Sustainable Materials and Energies for Resilient Buildings and international smart-materials discussions associated with IEA EBC Annex 92.

The University's internationally co-authored modular green walls research provided quantified evidence on passive cooling strategies and building energy performance.

These activities are complemented by CUD's cooperation with the University of Oxford on global health research capacity, its international entrepreneurship education partnership and its participation in PRME's 2025 sustainability reporting and knowledge-sharing framework.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate CUD's engagement in international comparative research, scientific knowledge exchange and the development and dissemination of approaches relevant to addressing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Primary 2025 Research Collaborations: La Rochelle University, Université de Sherbrooke and Université Clermont Auvergne.

Additional International Partners: University of Oxford, UC Berkeley AMENA Center, World Innovations Network and PRME.

Relevant University Functions: Academic Research, International Partnerships and Sustainability Research.

Sustainability Contact: sustainability@cud.ac.ae

Primary Reporting Year: 2025, with earlier partnership activities identified separately.