AUS holds Environmental Day 2012

The Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences at American University of Sharjah (AUS) hosted the annual AUS Environmental Day on April 26 at the university's Main Building. This year's event was themed "Environment: The Remedy for Survival," and was attended by over 200 high school students.

Special guests gave presentations on various topics. Dr. Elissar Sarrouh, United Nations Development Program Resident Coordinator in the UAE, spoke on the global environmental crisis and local responses. Dr. Thabit Al Abdessalaam, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector of the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi, outlined biodiversity issues and conservation activities in the UAE. Chirine Constantini, environmental engineer at Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations and an AUS alumna, spoke on how she is currently making use of the training gained during her environmental sciences and urban planning studies at AUS.

In addition to the presentations, there were a number of interactive displays by AUS faculty as well as UAE environmental organizations and industries such as Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Petrofac, Metito and Emirates Environmental Group.

Topics discussed during the event included areas such as environmental careers, biodiversity, recycling, air pollution, alternative energy, water quality, sustainable development, sustainable architecture as well as waste management.

Winners of the AUS Environmental Day 2012 were also awarded prizes during the closing program. Dubai Scholars Private School won the High School Competition. Jiayu Lu won the AUS Student Paper Competition and Bader Mohammed Al Sulaim won the AUS Student Poster Competition.

"I am excited to see so many high school students showing an interest in and knowledge of sustainability, environmental science and environmental awareness," said Dr. Sandra Knuteson, Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences at AUS. Environmental careers are increasing in this region and the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences at American University of Sharjah will be integral in providing properly trained environmental scientists and managers for the future."