Zayed University (ZU), in partnership with the General Secretariat of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), held an interactive dialogue session at its Dubai campus, focusing on designing solutions and proposals to activate the role of youth and increase their awareness and participation in achieving SDGs.

Notable attendees included Shatha Al Hashmi, Advisor at the General Secretariat of the National Committee for SDGs, and distinguished ZU alumna and former board member. Joining her were Professor Michael Allen, Acting Vice President and Provost of Zayed University, and Professor Paul Hopkinson, Dean of the College of Interdisciplinary Studies, along with students and guests.

With just one day to go until COP28, the importance of exploring innovative sustainability solutions has never been more relevant. Zayed University empowers the next generation to contribute to these global and national efforts via its flagship Partner Challenge Programme.

The session offered ZU students in the Partner Challenge Programme a valuable chance to explore innovative solutions to raise awareness of the SDGs among youth. Insights from this session will be incorporated into a research report for presentation at COP28. Additionally, the session delved into potential areas of collaboration between ZU and the General Secretariat during COP28.

Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Deputy Chairman of the National Committee for SDGs, said, "The Partner Challenge embodies our commitment to placing youth at the heart of the global agenda. As we stand midway through this crucial initiative, it's vital to recognize the youth as catalysts for SDG progress. The UAE strategically invests in their potential through initiatives such as the SDG Young Leaders Programme. We have embedded them from the start in our adaptation of the SDGs as both a national and global mission.

"By empowering the youth, we accelerate innovative solutions, contributing to a better world for all. This challenge aligns with our nation's focus on youth empowerment, ensuring that their energy and creativity drive global change."

Allen said the Partner Challenge programme, which is in its third year, has been a significant addition to Zayed University's academic offering, adding that "we are deeply grateful to our mentors for their invaluable contributions and commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders."

The Programme, designed and managed by the Secretariat of the National Committee on SDGs, aims to provide youth with the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to participate effectively in supporting and leading national and international initiatives and programs to achieve global sustainable development goals and to build a more sustainable future.

By engaging them with national decision-makers, global leaders, experts, and SDG enthusiasts, the Programme's members are actively involved in all aspects of the UAE's implementation and acceleration of the SDGs, both nationally and internationally.

The Partner Challenge, integrated into the university's degree programmes, involves student teams working with alumni to tackle industry-relevant questions. This approach blends theoretical education with hands-on problem-solving, providing students with a practical understanding of the work they will encounter in their future careers.