Qatar celebrates National Environment Day each year on the 26th of February. In the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030, and with environment as one of the four pillars of the vision, the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Qatar University (QU), celebrates this occasion each year, given the importance of the environment in our lives and the provision of key services to our society.
This year the annual event, which was attended by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al Thani, was intended to stimulate environmental awareness in Qatar. This event is also a part of QU’s long-standing commitment to promote conservation and sustainability for the benefit of the wider community.
With participation from QU’s President, Dr. Hassan Al-Derham; Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Ahmed Elzatahry; Associate Dean for Science and Applied Sciences, Dr. Khalifa Hazaa; and Head of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Fatima Al-Khayat; as well as the attendance of QU and high school students, the department celebrated the day with a series of events and activities aimed at educating students on this important and Qatar-relevant topic, motivating the younger generation to be more environmentally responsible. This year, the celebration of the National Environment Day was conducted in collaboration with Oryx GTL Limited.
The celebration included an opening ceremony followed by a series of activities, which was held in QU’s biology protected field. Dean of The College of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Ahmed Elzatahry, welcomed all participants in his speech and mentioned that the 2023 National Environment Day celebration will help in taking the first steps to inform and educate the public, especially the Qatari youth through engaging them in activities to increase their awareness of environment-friendly solutions and green technology and, thereby saving our society and environment.
Dr. Fatima Al-Khayat, Head of Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, said in her speech that the department celebrated this occasion on behalf of the University, and noted that the environment and sustainability are at the center of the university’s academic programs, as well as a major priority in scientific research.
She said that this year’s celebration of the National Environment Day is being held in cooperation with the Environmental and Sustainability Section – at the Facilities & General Services Department (FGSD) from QU and with Oryx, Inbat, Apex and the Visual Arts Center. She also noted the continuous support and partnership from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and Ministry of Municipality, and mentioned her gratitude to ORYX company for sponsoring this important event.
The ceremony also involved planting seedlings of native plants in the biology protected field, in line with campaigns related to planting one million trees in the State of Qatar, under Mr. Ali Al-Henzab’s initiative. Senior officials such as QU’s President, Dr. Hassan Al-Derham; Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Ahmed Elzatahry; Associate Dean for Science and Applied Sciences, Dr. Khalifa Hazaa; and Head of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Fatima Al-Khayat, all participated by planting at least one seedling.
In his speech on the sidelines of the event, Dr. Hassan Al-Derham noted that this celebration is part of QU’s long-term commitment to promote environmental conservation and sustainability for the benefit of society.
The celebration also included activities related to environment for kids with participation from QU’s Early Childhood Center and a workshop directed to school students about reusing waste, presented by the Visual Art Center. ORYX gave a presentation about their waste and sustainability practices, followed by a presentation from the Environmental and Sustainability Section (FGSD) at QU about their sustainability practices. A third presentation was conducted by Mr. Nasser Al-Khalaf from APEX. Mr. Ghanim Al-Sulaiti founder of Enbat Holding presented a lecture entitled ‘The Future is Zero Waste’ as well as a workshop by Enbat.
Additionally, the organizing committee of National Environment Day organized two student competitions, one directed at school students to reuse wastes and design a small garden. The other encouraged all QU students to write an article about finding eco-friendly solutions. Winners were awarded during the event.
Source: Qatar University
