SDG 15: Life on Land
SDG15: Life on Land is a critical Sustainable Development Goal that focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity. The American University of the Middle East (AUM) in Kuwait recognizes the importance of SDG15 and has taken various initiatives to contribute to the preservation of life on land and the sustainable utilization of natural resources.
Biodiversity Conservation
AUM recognizes the value of biodiversity in maintaining ecological balance and the overall well-being of our planet. The university has initiated programs and activities to raise awareness about local biodiversity and its importance. Students and faculty are encouraged to engage in research projects related to local flora and fauna, helping to build a better understanding of Kuwait's unique ecosystem.
Reforestation and Green Initiatives
AUM is committed to environmental sustainability and has taken steps to promote reforestation and green initiatives on its campus. This includes tree-planting campaigns, maintaining green spaces, and implementing sustainable landscaping practices. By doing so, AUM not only contributes to carbon sequestration but also provides habitat for local wildlife.
Sustainable Land Use Practices
AUM promotes sustainable land use practices through its academic programs and research initiatives. Courses related to environmental science, agriculture, and land management emphasize the importance of sustainable land utilization. Research projects often focus on finding innovative and sustainable ways to utilize land resources without causing harm to ecosystems. Moreover, sustainable farmed food on campus are ensured through the various restaurants on campus.
Awareness and Education
The university plays a crucial role in educating the future generation about the importance of protecting life on land. AUM organizes seminars, workshops, and awareness campaigns on topics such as deforestation, land degradation, and the impact of urbanization on natural habitats. These efforts help create a more environmentally conscious student body.
Collaborations and Partnerships
AUM collaborates with local environmental organizations, government agencies, and international partners to strengthen its efforts in land conservation and sustainability. These partnerships enable the university to participate in regional and global initiatives aimed at protecting terrestrial ecosystems.
Sustainable Campus Operations
AUM practices what it preaches by implementing sustainable practices in its daily operations. This includes waste reduction and recycling programs, reducing plastic, energy-efficient buildings, and water conservation measures. By maintaining a sustainable campus, AUM sets an example for its students and encourages them to adopt similar practices in their own lives.
Research and Innovation
AUM encourages research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field of land conservation and sustainable land use. Faculty and students engage in projects related to soil health, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable agriculture. Such research not only benefits the local environment but also has the potential to influence policy and practices beyond the university.
In conclusion, the American University of the Middle East (AUM) in Kuwait recognizes the importance of SDG15: Life on Land and has taken several initiatives to protect and promote the sustainable utilization of land resources. Through biodiversity conservation, reforestation efforts, sustainable land use practices, education, collaborations, and research, AUM is actively contributing to the global effort to preserve terrestrial ecosystems and ensure that life on land can thrive for generations to come.
In December 2022, AUM has been ranked as the most Sustainable and Green University in Kuwait for the third year running, by UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2022. Compared to the previous year, AUM advanced 31 places to #237 worldwide, and made it to the Top 5 Most Sustainable and Green Universities in the Gulf and #16 in the Arab countries.The UI GreenMetric ranks universities around the world based on their commitment and actions toward sustainability as per the following distinct categories: Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste, Water, Transportation, and Education and Research.
The theme of UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2022 focused on “Collective Actions for Transforming Sustainable Universities in the Post-Pandemic Time”. Being recognized as one of the most sustainable universities in the region reflects AUM’s commitment to greening its campus, equipping students with business ethics, and engaging with the sustainable development goals through education, research, and social responsibility initiatives.
Sustainable Farmed Food on Campus
Numerous restaurants and cafes under reputable brands with stringent food safety guidelines and sustainable food practices are available in different areas inside the campus. Designated representatives from AUM also conduct recurrent visits to the restaurants and cafes to ensure everything is at an optimum level of sustainable food practices, cleanliness and hygiene.
Opening of PRET in 2023 at the Library building
In 2023, AUM celebrated the opening of the new restaurant on campus, PRET a manger, which serves freshly made food and good organic coffee.
Food is handmade in Pret shop kitchens throughout the day and everything they don't sell, goes to charity.
Coffee is 100% organic and the Coffee Fund is supporting the next generation of farmers.
Fresh Palm Trees Harvesting Season
Fresh palm dates produced by the trees on campus are harvested and distributed to the community during the harvest season, which happens to be at the end of each academic year.
AUM collaborated with SLB to host The Sustainability Village on November 9 and 10, 2022. A sustainability mini walk-through experience linked with a number of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals and local sustainability goals. The purpose behind the project is to showcase the importance of these topics to the modern-day Kuwaiti Household.
The project consists of three main booths: Electricity Consumption Booth, Waste Management Booth, and Health and Wellbeing Booth; and are all designed in an interactive way that would encourage individuals to participate and experience how sustainability can make a difference in their lives.
In cooperation with slb... our students had an interesting experience yesterday in slb sustainability village ♻️
Its aim is to raise awareness of the concept of sustainability. Those who attended the event will be present today after 🤩 from 3 o'clock, towards the Lake, we are waiting for you.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the American University of the Middle East (AUM) organized a competition among students and alumni to encourage them to think in a more environmentally friendly way and come up with creative solutions that can make the campus more sustainable.
World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5 to keep the environment top of mind among people, and to remind them that nature should not be taken for granted and must be respected for its values.
Students and alumni submitted their ideas through written reports and videos where they came up with creative solutions that can reduce the carbon footprint of university campuses.
As part of AUM’s approach to sustainability, the university will be exploring the implementation of these ideas and initiatives with students and alumni in the future.
Certification of participation and plants were distributed to all participants, in addition to prizes to the top three winners: Danah Afat, Ayah Sharaf, and Ali Hashem.
AUM is committed to reducing carbon emissions by systematically tracking and analyzing its carbon footprint to develop the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Programs on campus. The current GHG emission reduction programs implemented at AUM fall under scopes 2 and 3.
In scope 2, efforts to reduce purchased electricity and energy costs are undergoing with the use of energy-efficient appliances, cloud computing, and IT systems with lower energy consumption.
As for scope 3, two main emission sources are considered in the reduction programs: waste management and commuting.
AUM liaises with local organizations and companies to handle recyclable materials and maximizes efforts to reduce and manage all kinds of waste. Learn more
Moreover, AUM campus set up is designed with all buildings on the sides, thus creating a rectangular frame and leaving a very spacious open area in the center that offers to the community a green and car-free environment. Zero-emission and electric shuttles are available for journeys within the campus and there are designated tracks for pedestrians, runners, cyclists, and zero-emission vehicles. Furthermore, common transportation is available for a group of staff members and some faculty and staff members carpool together.
Who would have imagined that the paper used could turn into masterpieces! 🎨
AUM students celebrated World Sustainability Day by participating in a workshop where they learned how to recycle used paper and turn it into paintings. ✨
AUM launched an upcycling workshop series as part of its efforts to teach students about waste management, recycling, and responsible consumption.
The first series of workshops was titled “Plastic to Plant” and comprised two sessions on the first week of December and another two sessions on the second week of the same month so both groups of students can attend, while taking all the necessary health and safety precautions.
The workshop started with an informative session about recycling, upcycling, the negative effects of waste on the environment, and the sustainable development goals. Different ideas about what kind of wastes can be upgraded into something artistic and have real usage were discussed during the workshop.
During the session, students learned how to give life to used plastic bottles by turning them into plant pots. Students enjoyed creating a pot from the plastic, designing the water bottle, and adding soil and a plant to it.
After the workshop, students hung the plants on a designated wall on campus.
Selected projects student projects on SDG15. Life on Land
Selected final year projects with local farms
Risk assessment and mitigation for manual handling workers in a warehouse (in collaboration with Abdali Farm Warehouse)
Implementing the 5S and Lean Methodology in a Workplace (in collaboration with Al-Wawan Protein Company & Al-Ruwaisiya Farm)
Minimizing total completion time for a flow shop scheduling problem in a manufacturing company in Kuwait (in collaboration with Manufacturing / Farm Foods Company)
IOT Zoo Monitoring System
Two achievements in AUM Startup Challenge 2022 reducing plastic and rubber
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.
Selected research publications on SDG15. Life on Land
Journal articles
Conference proceedings