SDG 14: Life Below Water
SDG14: Life Below Water is a critical global goal aimed at conserving and sustainably managing marine resources and ecosystems. Kuwait, with its extensive coastline along the Arabian Gulf, has a special responsibility to contribute to the protection of marine life and the preservation of the marine environment. The American University of the Middle East (AUM) in Kuwait recognizes the significance of SDG14 and has undertaken various initiatives to address the challenges faced by Kuwait's marine ecosystems.
Marine Conservation and Awareness
AUM actively promotes marine conservation and awareness among its students, faculty, and the wider community. The university conducts seminars, workshops, and awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of marine life and the threats it faces, such as overfishing, pollution, and habitat degradation. These initiatives aim to foster a greater sense of responsibility and encourage sustainable behaviors.
Research and Data Collection
AUM supports research initiatives that focus on marine ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity. Faculty and students engage in projects related to marine biology, ecology, and oceanography. These research efforts provide valuable data on the state of Kuwait's marine environment and contribute to informed conservation strategies.
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
Kuwait has a significant fishing industry, and AUM recognizes the importance of sustainable practices in this sector. The university collaborates with governmental agencies and local fishing communities to promote sustainable fishing practices and aquaculture. This includes research on fish stock assessment and the development of sustainable aquaculture techniques.
Pollution Control and Mitigation
Kuwait's marine environment faces challenges from pollution, including oil spills and plastic waste. AUM actively participates in cleanup initiatives along the coastline and supports research on pollution control and mitigation. The university also encourages students to reduce plastic usage and promotes responsible waste disposal.
Marine Conservation Partnerships
AUM collaborates with environmental organizations, governmental bodies, and international partners dedicated to marine conservation. These partnerships enable the university to engage in broader regional and global initiatives aimed at protecting marine life and ecosystems.
Education for Sustainable Practices
AUM integrates sustainability principles into its curriculum, emphasizing the importance of responsible marine resource management. Courses related to environmental science, marine biology, and ecology highlight the significance of SDG14 and prepare students to become advocates for the protection of life below water.
Public Engagement and Advocacy
AUM encourages its students and faculty to actively engage in advocacy efforts related to marine conservation. Through participation in local and international conferences, workshops, and advocacy campaigns, the university community can influence policy and raise awareness about the importance of SDG14.
In conclusion, the American University of the Middle East (AUM) in Kuwait recognizes the importance of SDG14: Life Below Water and is actively involved in various initiatives to address the challenges faced by Kuwait's marine ecosystems. By promoting awareness, conducting research, supporting sustainable practices, and collaborating with partners, AUM contributes to the global effort to conserve marine life and ensure the sustainability of life below water for current and future generations.
The American University of the Middle East (AUM) celebrated World Water Day on March 22 by organizing an online event for students that included various activities and competitions.
The event started by giving an overview about World Water Day (WWD), the challenges the planet is facing regarding water, this year’s theme, which is Valuing Water, and by discussing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially SDG6 - Clean Water and Sanitation.
Dr. Suat Kasap, Associate Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at the College of Engineering and Technology, talked during the event about the types of water on our planet and about responsible consumption; what each person can do as an individual to help combat the crisis the planet is facing concerning water.
Water and SDG-related topics are widely reflected in the graduation projects of AUM students and graduates and this was touched upon during the event as well. Some of the graduation projects related to water include a smart irrigation system, a clean water quality monitoring system using IOT, an automated plant watering system using Arduino, a water leak detection system, and a smart cooling system for water tanks in Kuwait.
Students who attended the event via Zoom participated in a trivia quiz competition at the end of the session that included questions about the challenges the world is facing regarding Water.
A week prior to the event, AUM asked students to submit a piece of art related to this year’s WWD theme. A jury shortlisted the artwork and displayed them during the event where students voted for the best digital art and best painting and prizes were distributed to the winners in the arts competition and the trivia quiz.
Kubbar Island Beach Clean-up Initiative
AUM Students and Alumni volunteered in Kubbar Island beach clean-up initiative. This initiative aimed at raising awareness among AUM students and the community as a whole about the importance of protecting the environment, conserving natural resources and disseminating this knowledge among various segments of society.
Kubbar Island is one of the most significant islands in terms of breeding seabirds in Kuwait. Thus, it was announced as a natural reserve by the Environment Public Authority in Kuwait in 2023. It belongs to the group of islands in the southern region of Kuwait, which are subtropical coral cays and surrounded by beautiful clear waters. During Summer months, terns are found on the island nesting and laying an estimated amount of 15,000 eggs.
More about Kubbar Islands
The Kuwaiti islands have a unique and distinctive nature due to their biological diversity and based on the sensitivity of the southern islands, the esteemed Council of Ministers issued Resolution No. (1078) in its meeting No. (49/2002 held on 10/27/2002) allocating the southern Kuwaiti islands (Qaruh , Umm al-Maradim, Kubbar) natural reserves, and based on Environmental Protection Law No. 42 of 2014 and its amendments and Resolution No. (2) of 2022 issued on 3/27/2022 regarding defining natural reserves and fencing, the owners and supervisors of them, and the classification of Kubbar Island as a natural reserve. And based on the Environment Public Authority’s role and responsibilities in implementing the Environment Protection Law, its regulations, and the decisions issued by it, in a way that requires preserving the environmental system and achieving sustainability of resources, and because Kubbar Island is one of the sensitive and important islands from an environmental point of view, due to its uniqueness with wildlife, ecology and biodiversity, and it is surrounded by coral reefs on all four sides. , which had a major role in attracting terns, and the island is considered one of its habitats, as these birds migrate to Kubbar Island annually, starting in May, to begin mating and laying eggs, before leaving with their chicks in August, migrating south towards the Indian Ocean, whose numbers are estimated after hatching. There are about 15,000 eggs, and different types of terns, such as white-cheeked, large and small-crowned terns, are endemic to the island, in addition to the bridled. And the static nature of the island and the absence of external influences from human intervention around the island makes it a magnet for the migration of these birds safely with the intention of nesting and laying eggs, and maintaining the continuation of attracting these birds to the island is what the Environment Public Authority seeks in terms of its role in applying the law and preserving the extension The sustainability of its wildlife and the food chain in the marine environment. The establishment of any events and the accompanying human activities around these reserves and an increase in the intensity of noise levels will have a negative impact on marine organisms and damage to the environment. Based on the foregoing, the Environment Public Authority considers not approving the holding of this type of event.
We are thrilled to launch the AUM Recycling Project ♻️to engage you further in our recycling operations.
Join us in recycling paper and plastic and help save the environment. ☘️🪴♻️ Please watch the video carefully to be aware of the proper segregation practices and follow the instructions written on the bins across campus.
Stay tuned for more updates and activities related to recycling!
In Fall 2021, one of the very first initiatives when students came back to campus after Covid-19 period, was the launching of “Toward Zero Waste Campus” Initiative led by students to strengthen awareness, promote ethical sourcing and remind them on the importance of recycling.
Strong guidance was given on how waste should go to each dedicated bin: paper, plastic, other waste.
The university has rigorous sourcing and recycling practices that are classified by different types of waste including hazardous waste from biology, chemistry and chemical engineering laboratories.
As part of the global initiative, which encourages people to clean the beaches in their area, AUM students accepted the challenge and cleaned the Anjafa Public Beach.
Selected examplary student projects on SDG14. Life Below Water
Generating electrical power from sea waves in Kuwait: Kuwait mainly depends on oil and is considered to be a nonrenewable source of energy. This can badly affect Kuwait's environment, economy, human health, and marine creatures. As a result of this energy source, the rate of pollution and global warming is increasing. The project aims to design a prototype to evaluate the operation of an electricity generating unit in Kuwait to produce electrical energy depending on the renewable source which is seawater. In this project, an overview of the potential choices that can be implemented in Kuwait regarding hydropower is presented. In addition, the magnetic-induction-based prototype is proposed for the utilization of sea wave energy.
Seaweed Bioplastic - First Place in AUM Startup Challenge 2022 and among Finalists in Babson Student Global Challenge 2022: The idea consists of opening a factory that produces degradable and consumable bioplastic made from seaweed
Team members: Mohammad AlKharashi and Mohammad Al Mansour
Re-Rub - Third Place in AUM Startup Challenge 2022: Since Kuwait has one of the largest tire yards in the world, the project aims to use recycled tires materials, which are rubber and steel to produce home furniture.Team members: Omar Bassel Abu Orf, Hanen Awad, and Sana Tabashir
Thereafter, Seaweed team participated in Babson build UG 1-week program experience from 11-15 of July 2022 at Babson college, Boston. The students were congratulated for their performance during the Babson Student Global Challenge and received their certificates as Finalists of the competition.
Water is one of the research themes at AUM:
Journal articles
Sea and Sky Photography by Students
A photography activity was led under the theme “Sea and Sky” to promote aquatic stewardship.
The following photos were taken by AlKawthar Awad, Industrial Engineering Student.
