CUD Partners with Provectus Middle East to Lead Sustainability Agenda in Higher Education

Dubai, UAE, May 31, 2016:  Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is set to build upon its pioneering work in environmental development and the green economy through a new partnership with sustainable solutions experts, Provectus Middle East.

CUD has established itself as a sector leader in the sustainability agenda, becoming the first higher education institution in the UAE to host a Sustainability Day event, and co-founding the Green Universities Council, established in partnership with the Environmental Center for Arab Towns.
The new alliance with Provectus Middle East will see the two organizations collaborate on education and training initiatives to support the sustainable human resource needs of the green economy and the green jobs initiative.

The partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pr. Karim Chelli, President and Vice Chancellor of CUD, and Mr. Zack H. Abdi, Managing Director of Provectus Middle East.

The collaboration will now build upon a number of existing synergies between the two organizations. Provectus Middle East is leading a national campaign for the ethical disposal of used cooking oils and food waste recycling, while CUD’s School of Environment and Health Sciences has established the UAE’s first associate degree program in food safety.

Furthermore, CUD has been recognized for its efforts in the field of energy management, with a conservation award from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. Meanwhile, Provectus is leading the way in initiatives such as hazardous aerosol cans recycling, water treatment (ammonia removal and deinonization), energy storage systems (replacing petroleum gensets to reducing carbon footprints), energy efficiency solutions for AC and AC Chillers, and sustainability courses endorsed by IEMA, including the carbon footprint practitioner, CSR practitioner, and GRI reporting.

Speaking at the MoU signing, Pr. Chelli said, “Sustainability is no longer a choice, it is a matter of survival. It is something that we are very aware of through our Canadian culture, which is why CUD took the lead by establishing the Bachelor of Environment and Health Sciences among its first degree programs ten years ago.

“The partnership with Provectus Middle East will enable us to leverage the expertise of practitioners in this field, to further enhance our programs, to meet the emerging needs of this vital sector of our economy, and to produce graduates that will have the skills and competencies to secure our future.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Abdi said, “As the UAE looks to shift away from an oil-based economy, it is becoming clear that sustainable HR is required to meet the sustainability agenda. I am pleased that CUD is taking the lead in this field and providing courses that will be of benefit to both the business community and wider society. Sustainability is Necessity.”

The agreement is set in the context of the UAE national strategy to create 160,000 ‘green collar’ jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2030. The partnership will result in a portfolio of education, training and professional development programs that will help in the growth of this human capital.