AUS EcoReps win 2025 Middle East PGS Regional Sustainability Awards

A team of students from American University of Sharjah (AUS) has been named the Middle East regional winner of the 2025 PGS Regional Sustainability Awards. The EcoReps, a flagship program of the AUS Office of Sustainability, were recognized for their stand-out commitment to both environmental and social sustainability and responsible management practices. 

The team included team leader Nethanya Saji, an environmental sciences major; Rawand Abdullah, currently studying environmental sciences; Jewel Johnson, majoring in management; Aamuktha Samrajyam, a student in chemical engineering; Snikita Moka, studying architecture; Khadijah Ali, a student in mechanical engineering and Syed Arfan, a computer engineering student.

The PRME Global Students initiative (PGS), part of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) under the United Nations Global Compact, seeks to empower students to lead positive change in business and society. The AUS students' submission highlighted their various sustainability initiatives on campus, including their participation in the Higher Education Climate Dialogue (HECD) conference in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi. Their efforts also encompassed on-campus community outreach, with a focus on raising awareness of sustainable living, as well as off-campus activities, such as supporting local partners through tree planting.

"Being recognized as the Middle East Regional Winner is a tremendous honor for us all,” said Nethanya Saji. “This achievement highlights what’s possible when a group of passionate students come together to advocate for a more sustainable world. Thanks to these efforts, we've already seen tangible improvements in green living and sustainability on the AUS campus. It feels like we’ve truly made an impact, and it’s incredibly gratifying to see others taking notice of the change we’ve worked so hard to create.”

Having won the regional awards, the AUS students will now have the opportunity to join the Global Finals of the PGS Sustainability Awards, which will be held from March 10 to April 18, 2025. In this phase, they will compete against students from around the world to develop sustainable business strategies through an interactive simulation platform.

Omar Al Nuaimi, Head of Sustainability at AUS, shared: “We are incredibly proud of our EcoReps for earning this recognition, and we’re excited to see them take part in the global finals. At the AUS Office of Sustainability, we believe that small steps can lead to big changes. This achievement is a great example of that— a small group of students using their voices and agency to make a real impact on campus. It’s a privilege to work with such dedicated students who are committed to driving positive change and contributing to a more sustainable future for us all.”

Following the Global Finals, only three of the participating student teams will be selected to attend the PRME Global Forum, a gathering of global change-makers in sustainability and responsible management practices. The Global Forum will be held June 9–10, 2025, in New York City.

This project is part of AUS' efforts to promote student-led sustainability projects that contribute to environmental and social impact in the Middle East and beyond. For more information on sustainability initiatives at AUS, visit www.aus.edu/sustainability.