Managing University of Sharjah Setting and Infrastructure Towards a Sustainable and Livable Campus

This paper describes the setting and infrastructure management at the University of Sharjah (UoS) as a continuous effort towards a livable and sustainable campus. The UoS has been participating in the UI GreenMetric World Universities Ranking (UIGWUR) since 2017 to measure its performance in the field of sustainability for continuous improvement. During the last three years, the UoS has succeeded in being among the best 150 universities in the SI category by achieving 70% of the score. However, the UoS managed to get 75% of the total score in this KPI and 100% in the open space per person KPI ratio. To become one of the leading universities, the Landscape and Building Management Sustainability Circle (LBMSC) at the Sustainability Office has analyzed the KPIs and suggested an action plan for continuous improvement. Two KPIs can be improved: sustainability efforts and the total area covered in plants. The UoS shall increase the sustainability efforts and budget and increase the internal and external planting in the coming years. For some KPIs, it cannot be applied to desert regions. It is recommended that the UIGWUR revisit its KPIs and make them more flexible and applicable worldwide. Furthermore, for the open space ratio to the total area KPI, it is recommended to revisit the distribution of the points to have fair comparison. Action plans to improve the sustainability and livability of the campus have also been addressed.Keyword: Setting and infrastructure, LBMSC, livable campus, open area, forest, water absorption, green area, sustainability efforts/budget, and GreenMetri

Water Conservation and Management Practices at the University of Sharjah to Achieve Sustainability Excellence

The University of Sharjah is a leading educational and research institution in the Gulf region. To stimulate the different aspects of sustainability in education and research as well as to ensure the implementation of sustainability concepts throughout the University campus operations, the concept of sustainability circles is implemented. The University being in hot-arid-zone and mostly surrounded by desert terrain relies on unconventional water conservation programs and initiatives such as the use of innovation & technology, reuse and recycling of water, and awareness campaigns. In line with such programs, the use of potable water is limited for hygiene purposes and wastewater generated within the University is reused after treatment to irrigate the vast green spaces through the most efficient irrigation water application systems. Examples of water conservation practices include use of efficient water devices, reuse of treated greywater for toilet flushing at a selected location, water quality monitoring, preservation to conserve water for its intended use, promoting waterless car wash on the campus grounds etc. On-campus water is also conserved through disseminating knowledge and awareness to the University community and beyond through various sustainability related programs and initiatives organized by Sustainability Office for water conservation and environmental protection