Sustainability Summer School

The Sustainability Spring School (SSS 2025) is a dynamic and inclusive one-week program hosted by The British University in Dubai (BUiD) and proudly sponsored by ENOC (Emirates National Oil Company). The initiative reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to empower youth and promote sustainable development in the UAE and beyond. Held annually on the university campus, the program is open to youth from any educational background or nationality. The event welcomes students from across the UAE and abroad, encouraging collaboration and cross cultural dialogue on sustainability.

SSS 2025 was designed and academically prepared by Prof. Hanan Taleb, a leading expert in sustainable architecture. The program was coordinated and led by Architect Waheed Almasri, who served as the Leader of the Leaders and ensured the smooth execution of activities throughout the week. Participants were divided into four teams, each with its own team leader, allowing for small group collaboration, mentorship, and peer learning. This team-based approach enhanced engagement and contributed to the success of the program’s competitive components.

Program Schedule & Session Highlights:

Day One:

Official Opening & Welcome Speech

Prof. Abdullah Alshamsi, Vice-Chancellor of BUiD, inaugurated the event with a motivational speech about the UAE’s sustainability vision and the role of youth in shaping a greener future.

Icebreaking – (Mohammed Al Zoubi)

Interactive team-building exercises helped participants get to know one another and build

Biomimicry Workshop – (Baharah)

Participants learned how nature’s strategies can solve modern design Teams explored examples of biomimicry in architecture, technology, and product design, followed by a brainstorming session.

Sustainability Overview – (Dr. Fuad Baba)

A lecture covering key concepts such as climate change, resource conservation, and the role of systems thinking in sustainability.

IQ Test – (Prof. Hanan Taleb)

As an additional activity, Prof. Hanan Taleb conducted an IQ Test tailored for group participation. The highest-scoring team received small gifts, and the session reinforced the link between intelligence, design thinking, and sustainability problem-solving.

Mini-competitions with small rewards were held after each session to reinforce learning in a fun, interactive way.

Day Two:

Learning from the Field – Trip to Dubai Sustainable City

Participants visited Dubai Sustainable City, a model of integrated environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Highlights included:

1. Solar-powered homes
2. Electric mobility and cycling infrastructure
3. Organic farms
4. Interactive Q&A with sustainability professionals

Day Three:

Emirati Success Story – (Arch. Abdulla Matar)

A motivational session where Matar shared his career path, sustainability values, and projects that integrate local culture with innovative green practices.

LILY Workshop – (Samina Ghory)

Focused on personal leadership, community impact, and youth empowerment through storytelling, games, and reflection.

Flowers Workshop – Arch. Rama (Acacia Flowers)

Students worked with fresh flowers and natural elements to design eco-conscious floral arrangements. The workshop emphasized the beauty and sustainability of biophilic

Termite World – (Dr. Khalid Shuhail)

An exploration of how termite mound structures influence climate-adaptive

Mental Math – (Dr. Nahia)

A fast-paced workshop that sharpened students’ cognitive flexibility through timed challenges and interactive group games.

Day Four:

Innovation Meets Industry – Masdar City Visit

The trip to Saint-Gobain Knowledge Space in Masdar City gave students exposure to:

1. High-performance, sustainable building materials
2. Smart city technologies
3. Practical demonstrations of climate-sensitive design
4. Research insights into future green cities

Day Five:

Final Presentations & Recognition Team Competitions

1. Sustainable Lighting Fixture Design ( The winner : Falcon Team)
2. Sustainability Awareness Video ( The winner : Dragon Team )

Teams presented their work to a jury of experts, including: Prof. Abdullah AlShamsi, Dr. Fuad Baba and Prof. Hanan Taleb. Projects were evaluated on creativity, technical feasibility, sustainability impact, and teamwork.

Exhibition, Ribbon Cutting & Closing Ceremony

The event concluded with:

1. An exhibition of all projects
2. Trophies and certificates for competition winners
3. Certificates of participation for all students
4. Appreciation gifts and official closing by BUiD