Green Sheikh calls for sustainability as a shared responsibility during his talk at AUS

Drawing on his personal journey, the Green Sheikh explored how everyday choices and institutional leadership can advance sustainability

Sustainability begins with recognizing our responsibility to the world around us and acting on it consistently. That was the central message of a talk at American University of Sharjah (AUS) by Sheikh Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ali bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, widely known as the Green Sheikh, Environmental Advisor to the Government of Ajman and founder of the Green Sheikh Academy.

Titled “The Spirit of Sustainability,” the talk drew on examples from the Green Sheikh’s personal journey to consider how daily choices shape sustainability and who carries responsibility for advancing it. Attendees included members of the AUS College of Engineering community and university leadership.

Reflecting on his visit to AUS, the Green Sheikh praised the students’ curiosity and commitment to research, innovation and industry collaboration. He urged them to make sustainability a guiding principle in their lives and work.

“Sustainability is how we care for life over time. Research, technology and innovation give us tools to address challenges, but our values, compassion and sense of responsibility must guide how we use them. We cannot change the laws of nature, but we can change how we live within them. I encouraged students to embody the spirit of sustainability by turning knowledge into action, challenges into opportunities and personal success into a lasting contribution to humanity and our planet. I left AUS with great confidence in the next generation. The future needs wiser hearts and more responsible minds,” he said.

Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the AUS College of Engineering, said engineering education must equip graduates to turn sustainability priorities into practical solutions.

“Sustainability is ultimately shaped by engineering decisions: how energy systems are developed, how infrastructure is designed and how technologies are applied. AUS has a responsibility to prepare engineers who can assess these choices together and turn research into solutions that serve the UAE’s long-term priorities. We are weaving sustainability into our curriculum and building a campus culture that encourages students to consider its impact in everything they do,” he said. 

The talk was facilitated by Dr. Amani Al-Othman, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Petrofac Endowed Chair in Renewable Energy at AUS and supported by the Chemical and Biological Engineering at AUS. It was part of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s Pipeline to Industry Program, a structured co-curricular certificate program for the department’s undergraduate students. The program bridges classroom theory and industrial practice through field trips, workshops and guest lectures.

“Renewable energy research must lead to solutions that can be integrated into energy systems and work at scale. The challenge is to connect advances in research with the engineering expertise and education needed to put them into practice. That is essential to a transition that serves society’s needs,” said Dr. Al-Othman.

Through its outreach initiatives, the AUS College of Engineering connects students with experts and gives them opportunities to see engineering practice firsthand. Learn more about the college and its student opportunities at www.aus.edu/cen.