Sharjah: The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah honoured the winners and participants of the 14th edition of the Sharjah Sustainability Award 2025-2026 during a closing ceremony attended by representatives of government, academic, and educational institutions, members of the judging panels, and strategic partners. The event celebrated projects and initiatives that presented innovative solutions contributing to environmental sustainability and the promotion of sustainable development principles across the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, this year's edition witnessed strong participation, with 186 projects submitted across the Award's various categories, including 93 school projects, 75 university projects, and 18 institutional projects. A total of 370 students from across the UAE took part, reflecting growing environmental awareness and increasing engagement in sustainable projects and environmental innovation.
Aisha Rashid Deemas, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, affirmed that since its launch, the Sharjah Sustainability Award has continued to play a pioneering role in promoting a culture of sustainability and encouraging different segments of society to develop practical solutions to environmental challenges, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to position Sharjah as a leading model in environmental protection and natural resource conservation. She emphasized the Award's role as a national platform for raising environmental awareness and empowering future generations to transform their innovative ideas into practical projects with tangible impact.
The judging panel praised the high calibre of projects submitted this year, noting that the innovative and practical solutions presented reflect the growing culture of sustainability and scientific research among younger generations and their ability to leverage knowledge and technology to address environmental challenges creatively. The panel highlighted that many of the projects possess strong potential for future development and expansion, enhancing their contribution to sustainable development efforts and supporting the UAE's environmental and green economy objectives.
In the Environmental Innovation for Institutional Sustainability category, the Sharjah Housing Department won first place for its 'Green Concrete' project. The Initiatives Implementation Authority - Mubadara secured second place for its 'Bridges and Al Layyah Water Canal' project, while the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority placed third for its 'Sustainable Transportation for Operating Electric Vehicles and Buses within the Green Transport Fleet' project.
In the Sustainability Scientific Research category for postgraduate students, Asmaa Samir Al Humaida from United Arab Emirates University won first place for her project, 'Sustainable Microencapsulation Using Omani Frankincense Gum for Controlled Protein Delivery,' supervised by Dr. Bassem Abu Jdayil. Asmaa Zayed Abdullah Al Menhali from Khalifa University won second place for her project, 'A Highly Sensitive Portable Device for Detecting Organophosphorus Pesticides in Water and Food Samples,' supervised by Dr. Shaimaa Eissa.
The EPAA honoured the Ministry of Education, Sharjah Private Education Authority, Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, University of Sharjah, American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates University, Khalifa University, Horizon College, Higher Colleges of Technology - Sharjah, Emirates Publishers Association, Institute of Applied Technology, and Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators. The EPAA also honoured the 19 members of the judging panel, comprising academics, experts, and specialists from participating government and academic institutions.