AUS joins Donate Your Own Device Campaign emphasizing access to education and environmental sustainability

With a donation of more than 1,300 used electronic devices, American University of Sharjah (AUS) is helping to improve the educational opportunities of underprivileged students around the world through the Donate Your Own Device (DYOD) campaign, a campaign by The Digital School, one of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. 

The Digital School in partnership with the Emirates Red Crescent, Ecyclex International Recycling and ReLoop App, aims through the DYOD campaign to collect 10,000 used electronic devices from individual and institutional donors and to refurbish and recycle them to enhance The Digital School’s students’ access to education. 

“We are proud to be part of this campaign and to be able to contribute to the education of underprivileged students around the globe. We have worked closely with the university departments and colleges to gather any used electronic devices that could be useful. As a leading educational institution in the region, we believe in the transformational power of education, and it is our role to support students wherever they are whenever possible,” said Aisha Ali, Community Service and Outreach Manager at AUS.   

AUS’ participation is part of the university’s initiatives that focus on sustainability as the UAE celebrates the Year of Sustainability and prepares for COP28 this November. 

“By being part of this campaign, AUS is offering a humanitarian and technological response to those in need with the hope of building a more cohesive and sustainable society. By taking part in this initiative, we are focusing on environmental sustainability and confronting the challenge of e-waste,” said Ali.

AUS continues to build on its strong partnerships with national and international organizations in an effort to serve the UAE community and beyond. Community service and volunteerism are entrenched in AUS’ institutional values, among which are offering a transformative experience that prepares students to become outward-looking and responsible individuals ready to join the world, and offering opportunities for active engagement that contributes to the development of society.

AUS is also widely recognized for its sustainability initiatives. It is a member of the UCN, which comprises UAE-based universities and higher education institutions facilitating dialogues, workshops, public events and youth participation in the lead up to COP28. With the goal to reduce carbon emissions, AUS has developed its first comprehensive Climate Action Plan, which further aligns the university’s sustainability efforts with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic plan. AUS is a member of the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA), a domestic alliance of stakeholders led by Emirates Nature-WWF. UACA is the flagship non-state actor program for the UAE in the lead up to COP28, which aims to increase momentum towards achieving net zero targets in line with science and the Paris Agreement. 

For more information on AUS Community Service and Outreach, visit www.aus.edu/life-at-aus/student-life/community-involvement/community-out....