The webinar titled "University Education for Sustainability: Building Skills for Lifelong Impact" was hosted on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
Dammam – Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), represented by the Deanship of Academic Development, hosted an international webinar titled "University Education for Sustainability: Building Skills for Lifelong Impact" on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. The event was attended by Dr. Abdullah Al-Muhaidib, Vice President for Academic Affairs, who emphasized the university's commitment to sustainability through education and its role in empowering faculty members.
The webinar aimed to advance the integration of sustainability in higher education and enable faculty members to adopt practices that align with the Sustainable Development Goals. The event drew 245 participants, including faculty members and national and international experts.
Notable speakers included Dr. Sari Bustiinen, Professor and Coordinator of Sustainable Development Studies at the University of Turku; Dr. Miku Tikanen, Associate Professor of Molecular Plant Biology at the same university; Dr. Fahad Al-Yami, Director of the Sustainable Development Unit at IAU; and Dr. Dana Al-Muhaizai, Assistant Professor in the Department of Stem Cell Research, IAU.
The sessions were moderated by Dr. Reem Al Baadi, Director of the International Development Programs Unit at the Deanship of Academic Development. Discussions focused on embedding sustainability into curricula and strategies to enhance students’ skills to achieve sustainable societal impact.
Dr. Mohammed Alkathiri, Dean of the Deanship of Academic Development, highlighted that the webinar is part of the university's ongoing efforts to promote sustainable education and foster lasting positive change within the academic community. He also stressed the significance of international partnerships in achieving these goals, contributing to the preparation of graduates equipped to address future challenges and drive positive transformation locally and globally.