In celebration of World Space Week (4-10 October), the College of Business and Economics (CBE) in Qatar University (QU) shines a spotlight on the Global Sustainability Space Challenge 2022, which it launched last month. This year’s theme for World Space Week celebrates space and sustainability.
In a statement on the occasion, Dean of the College of Business and Economics Prof. Rana Sobh said, “The Global Sustainability Space Challenge 2022, a competition that was launched by the College recently, will offer unique and unconventional opportunities for the younger generation to find innovative solutions to address challenges that threaten sustainability on our planet. This competition will promote the cause of sustainability locally and globally by educating our youth and building capacity to achieve a sustainable future on our planet. It also seeks to highlight ways to leverage the unlimited resources of space, and how this can help to build a space economy and help sustain life on our planet.”
She adds, “This competition seeks to achieve a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, by adapting leading technology and space exploration as a driving force in global efforts to address the challenges facing the sustainability of life on the planet. This competition will enable younger generations to acquire skills to deal with leading technology and will also culminate in the creation of a space lab in QU, which will serve as a building block for creating a space economy.”
Dr. Rana notes that space technology is an integral part in the development of society. Space science and technological progress has a major role to play in improving life on Earth as it contributes positively to various areas including climate observation, weather forecasting to prevent disasters, access to health care and education, water management, efficiency in transport and agriculture, peacekeeping, security and humanitarian assistance to resolve the global food crisis.
In 2020, the State of Qatar signed a cooperation agreement with NASA to design the first satellite dedicated to studying groundwater, the effects of climate change, and the impact of rising sea levels on the desert and dry areas, which includes the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, and is expected to be launched in 2025.
QU, represented by the College of Business and Economics, is moving forward with its new vision to adopt many important initiatives and steps that support sustainable business practices and promote a culture of sustainability locally and globally. The Global Sustainability Space Challenge 2022, which was launched last month in partnership with Metavisionaries, calls upon teams of young people affiliated with schools and universities from all over the world, between the ages 16-26 to join and contribute to the cause.
It is worth noting that the competition is launched ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, with the aim of leveraging the momentum of the event. It is co-organized with global partners Metavisionaries, ICE Cubes, Space Applications Services, International Space University and Club of the Future founded by Blue Origin, and is supported locally by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) in Qatar. It is also sponsored by Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa).
Source: Qatar University
