In a statement to Al Bayan newspaper, Prof. Galal Hatem, Chancellor of Umm Al Quwain University, stated that universities must work to reduce carbon emissions and move towards the “Green Economy”, through innovations and creating educational programs that focus on the concepts of sustainability and environmental management, in addition to enhance scientific research related to renewable energy, with energy efficiency and emission reduction technology. Universities can also cooperate with government agencies and various industrial sectors to develop innovative solutions to environmental challenges. They are also required to encourage green practices on campus, such as recycling and rationalizing energy consumption, and building green belts within universities. In addition to supporting student initiatives that contribute to environmental sustainability.

Prof. Hatem said that it is important for universities to expand their academic fields to include majors and courses supporting sustainability and the green economy, through offering programs that focus on environmental sustainability and renewable energy, and educational courses that introduce students to the basic concepts of the environment and how to protect it, with the aim of preparing students to be future leaders in the field of economics, by providing them with the necessary skills, encouraging scientific research and projects that need innovative solutions to confront environmental challenges,

and integrating the concepts of sustainability into all academic specializations to ensure that students are armed with the skills needed to confront climate challenges.

Regarding green practices on campus, Prof. Galal Hatem called for adopting initiatives such as waste recycling, rationalizing energy consumption, and building green belts to enhance environmental awareness among students and employees.