Sharjah, UAE: The Institute of Environmental Management and Sustainability (IEMS), a venture of BEEAH Education, and Ajman University’s College of Business Administration have announced the winners of their competition “Sustainability for Entrepreneurship & Innovation” to spotlight the sustainability innovations of aspiring graduates from the university.

During the four-day event, freshmen and senior year students from the university took part in a series of workshops and gained practical insights to curate innovative ideas around sustainability. IEMS delivered professional courses on sustainability and the circular economy and entrepreneurship and innovation. Participants in the competition were also invited on a tour of BEEAH Group's cutting-edge waste management complex, touring the several specialised waste processing facilities and the adjacent Sharjah Waste to Energy plant, which have led to the regional record of 90% landfill waste diversion in the emirate.

Speaking about the event, Hind Al Huwaidi, Chief Education Officer at BEEAH Group, emphasised the importance of empowering youth for a sustainable future: “Our youth play an important role in translating the actions being made today, particularly during the upcoming COP28, into lasting positive change for the coming generations. Through this competition in collaboration with Ajman University, we are spotlighting innovative ideas from these students and encouraging them to further develop their concepts for implementation in the UAE and beyond.”

During the finale, held at the BEEAH Headquarters, students had the opportunity to present their ideas to a panel of esteemed judges, including experts from BEEAH and Ajman University. Three winning ideas were selected for highlighting unique possibilities to drive sustainability across major sectors.

Students Maryam Yaser, Shahd Albuali, and Shirin Ibrahim won first place for their concept "GREENSIP". Their inventive beverage bottle is made from PHA, a plastic with biodegradable properties, housing a plantable seed. The prototype has the potential to redefine packaging design to be more environmentally friendly and contribute to the planting of seeds with proper disposal.

Aya Babbili and her team won second place for "AIRQUATIC". Using an advanced system with sophisticated sensors, the prototype enables sustainable filtration while tackling pollutants and supporting cleaner air and water.

Rouneida Yasmine and her team claimed the third spot for their "BIOFAB" concept, which is a bio machine that uses cooking oil for biodiesel to create a plantable bio-fabric, supporting sustainable fashion and circular product design.

The competition's professional training and workshops, delivered by IEMS Academy, provided students with unique takeaways, they discovered opportunities to create sustainable niche sub-sectors within industries and shape future-ready businesses and societies. Participants brainstormed innovative ideas across various critical areas for sustainability, including air quality, food security and agriculture, sustainable marine and aquatic life, sustainability tech products for businesses, and eco-friendly materials for plastic waste management and recycling. These ideas were complemented by business models that could potentially turn waste into profitable sources.

Dr. Akinola Fadahunsi, Dean of the College of Business Administration at Ajman University, stressed the significance of this partnership: “Through this competition held with IEMS and BEEAH Education, we hope to inspire our students in harnessing their intellectual and entrepreneurial potential in supporting the UAE's ambitions for sustainable development and setting an example for the student community in the region and across the world. Congratulations to the winners and all participants in the competition. We look forward to seeing them further develop their ideas and turn them into reality.”

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About BEEAH Group:

BEEAH Group is the region’s leading sustainability and digitalisation expert, renowned for ground-breaking environmental innovations and smart solutions for future-ready cities. Recognising sustainability and technology as the pillars of a modern economy, BEEAH Group has invested in a comprehensive, full-circle strategy for the future. BEEAH Group operates in the industries of waste management, renewable energy, technology, consulting, education, transport, real estate and healthcare. Raising the bar for the quality of life in the region, BEEAH Group businesses continue to set industry benchmarks in sustainable, smart solutions and help countries across the region create and execute their roadmap for a socially responsible future. The Group currently operates in the UAE, Egypt and KSA.

For more information, please visit beeahgroup.com and connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @beeahgroup

About BEEAH Education: 

BEEAH Education is BEEAH Group's environmental education and awarding organisation for businesses and individuals contributing to a sustainable future. It aims to inculcate, incentivise and encourage sustainable action, from the grassroots level among schools and communities to professionals and organisations. Every year, BEEAH Education reaches thousands of teachers and students through competitions, interactive games and by introducing principles of sustainability into school curriculum. BEEAH Education also has a flagship venture, the Institute of Environmental Management and Sustainability, to deliver cutting-edge learning and development programmes for early professionals as well as specialised industry specific qualifications. In addition to reaching external organisations, BEEAH Education is responsible for internal training programmes within BEEAH Group. BEEAH Education's rewards programme is accessible to millions of people across communities and cities in the region, incentivising recycling, proper waste segregation and driving action towards a circular economy and a zero-waste to landfill future. For more information about BEEAH Education, please visit: https://beeaheducation.com

About Ajman University:

Founded in 1988 as the first private institution of higher education in the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region, Ajman University (AU) is now recognized as an emerging leader on the global academic map. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, AU is ranked #551 in the world and is among the top 5 universities in the UAE, placing it among the top 1.75% of institutions worldwide. AU also holds the 3rd position globally for international students and the 8th position for international faculty members. Through AU's strategic partnerships with leading institutions, the university is now ranked #279 in the Employer Reputation category worldwide. This is an extraordinary achievement that holds immense value for its students and alumni, who are increasingly in demand by local, regional, and international institutions.

For more information, please visit www.ajman.ac.ae