Engagement (Community and Industry)
Sustainability and Resilience Conference 2024
The conference gathered experts, policymakers, and academics to discuss regional climate issues, adaptation, and sustainability strategies.
The Sustainability and Resilience Conference 2024 contributes to
- 13.1 (Resilience & adaptation),
- 13.2 (Policy integration), and
- 13.3 (Awareness & education) ,
by fostering regional collaboration, academic research exchange, and knowledge transfer on climate action and sustainable development.
Relevant SDG 13 Targets and Indicators:
Collaboration Between Industry and Academia to Advance Energy Transformation
Overview:
The College of Engineering at the University of Bahrain (UoB) hosted a panel discussion titled “Industry-Academia Cooperation to Advance the Energy Transition” in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain and the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies. The event took place on May 2, 2024, at the UoB Media Center and was moderated by Dr. Muhammad Ali bin Shams, Head of the Chemical Engineering Department.
The session brought together industry experts and academic researchers specializing in unconventional gas and sustainable energy to explore joint opportunities in energy transformation and innovation.
Research Significance:
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The discussion emphasized the critical role of collaborative networks between industry and academia in achieving Bahrain’s energy transition goals.
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Participants shared insights on innovative approaches to address challenges in renewable and sustainable energy systems, fostering applied research that aligns with national sustainability strategies.
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The initiative strengthens UoB’s leadership in driving partnerships that connect academic research with industrial application, supporting knowledge transfer and innovation ecosystems.
Impact and SDG Alignment:
This initiative supports SDG 13 – Climate Action, specifically under:
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Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and impact reduction.
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Indicator 13.3.5: Collaboration with NGOs / external partners — represented through UoB’s cooperation with the U.S. Embassy and the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies to enhance knowledge exchange and institutional capacity on energy transition.
Relevant SDG 13 Targets and Indicators:
Collaboration with NGOs and external partners, represented through UoB’s cooperation with the U.S. Embassy and the Bahrain Center for Strategic, International and Energy Studies to enhance knowledge exchange and institutional capacity on energy transition.
125 Research Papers Discussed at the 7th Smart Cities Symposium
Overview:
The University of Bahrain (UoB) hosted the 7th IET Smart Cities Symposium in collaboration with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), United Kingdom, bringing together experts, researchers, and decision-makers to explore the latest innovations and research in smart city development.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Fuad Mohammed Al-Ansari, President of the University of Bahrain, highlighted Bahrain’s advanced technological infrastructure, which positions the Kingdom to effectively embrace the concept of smart cities. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to driving innovation and advancing research that supports sustainable and technology-driven urban development.
Research Significance:
- The symposium showcased 125 research papers, including six keynote presentations, addressing a wide range of topics such as sustainability, transportation, healthcare, education, urban design, robotics, and smart infrastructure.
- Dr. Al-Ansari underscored UoB’s pioneering role in digital twinning for smart cities, emphasizing its potential to enhance decision-making through data-driven urban planning and management.
- The event fostered collaborative dialogue among academia, government, and industry to promote research partnerships and innovative solutions that improve quality of life and support national development goals.
- By creating a platform for knowledge exchange, the symposium strengthened UoB’s local, regional, and global leadership in smart cities research and sustainable urban innovation.
Impact and SDG Alignment:
This initiative supports SDG 13 – Climate Action and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, specifically under:
- Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness, and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and impact reduction — represented through research capacity-building and smart city innovation.
- Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning.
Relevant SDG 13 Targets and Indicators:
Collaboration with international partners — reflected through UoB’s partnership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), UK, to advance global knowledge exchange on sustainable smart cities.
