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The Department of Geography and Urban Planning in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the United Arab Emirates University organized a sustainable development and urban planning day recently. Professor Saif Al Qaydi, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Shayma Al Kobaisi, Acting Dean of the College of Information Technology, Dr. Khaula Al Kaabi, Chair of the Department of Geography and Urban Planning, faculty and students were all in attendance on Sunday, May 24^th, 2015 in the Grand Hall of the Crescent Building at UAEU’s Al Ain campus.

Professor Al Qaydi said that this day is part of the university’s role in transferring knowledge from the university to the community, especially in areas of national and regional importance. These include environmental and sustainability issues. The university seeks to engage students with such issues in order to prepare them for the national labor market.

He also pointed out the importance of the topics covered. There was a focus on the environment and, in particular, sustainable development in the UAE and wider region. The development of multilateral environmental solutions, such as those associated with the Dead Sea, and a focus on environmental sustainability were the key motifs running through the day.

Dr. Al Kaabi was quoted as saying that raising awareness of environmental issues among the students was key to moving towards the best international practices with regard to issues such as alternative energy, coping with climate change and other sustainable environmental solutions. There was also a student research competition so that students could showcase their ideas and creative solutions. Ahmed Mohamed, Fatima Neyadi, Mezwen Al Alawai, Meena Al Kaabi, Maryam Al Menhali, Fatima Saleh and Raya Al Kaabi were the best in the poster category. Maryam Al Menhali also won first prize in the comic film category while Amani Al Badi was first in the recycling competition.