Sustainable Development Goals Initiatives 2023–2024

Operations and Institutional Arrangement

13.3.3 Co-operative planning for climate change disasters

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.

Initiative Significance

• The discussion emphasized the critical role of collaborative networks between industry and academia in achieving Bahrain’s energy transition goals.
• Participants shared insights on innovative approaches to address challenges in renewable and sustainable energy systems, fostering applied research that aligns with national sustainability strategies.
• 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:

• Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and impact reduction.
• 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.

13.3.4 Inform and support government

University of Bahrain Renewable Energy Laboratories

Overview
Established in 2018, the Renewable Energy Labs (RELabs) at the University of Bahrain   to serve as a national reference center for the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of renewable energy. The laboratories focus on advancing research, development, and innovation in bioenergy, solar energy, and wind energy, supporting Bahrain’s transition toward a low-carbon and sustainable economy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Enhance national capabilities by developing research and innovation expertise in sustainable energy and water technologies.
• Conduct comprehensive studies of Bahrain’s energy network to evaluate its capacity, readiness for renewable energy integration, and opportunities for energy diversification.
• Provide technical consultations and guidance on the design of climate-friendly and fully integrated energy and water systems for Bahrain and the wider region.
• Build public and institutional confidence in solar, wind, and biomass as viable alternatives to conventional fossil fuels.
• Support Bahrain’s vision of becoming a regional model for a low-carbon, sustainable economy.

Services

Solar PV Testing Lab

• Tests solar panels and provides clients with comprehensive performance reports.
• Offers researchers and organizations access to solar radiation intensity and weather data in Bahrain.
• Facilitates high-quality solar energy research and innovation projects.
• Organizes workshops and training programs on renewable energy system installation and operation.
• Documents: PV Testing Sample Report, Request Form for Solar and Weather Data.

The Biomass Lab

• Tests anaerobic digestion (AD) bacteria tolerance for different types of waste provided by local and private organizations.
• Conducts detailed waste composition analyses for research and industry partners.
• Supports biomass and bioenergy research for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students at the University of Bahrain.
• Documents: Request Form for Sample Testing and Data Analysis at the Biomass Lab.

Impact and SDG Alignment:

The Renewable Energy Laboratories directly support SDG 13 – Climate Action and SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy by fostering innovation, research, and technical capacity in renewable energy technologies. These efforts strengthen Bahrain’s readiness to adopt cleaner energy systems, contribute to national energy diversification goals, and advance progress toward net-zero emissions by 2060.

13.3.5 Environmental education collaborate with NGO

University of Bahrain and UNDP Launch SDGs Academic Program

Overview

The University of Bahrain (UOB), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Academic Program on September 25, 2024—the first initiative of its kind among regional universities. The program integrates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the University’s academic framework by embedding sustainability-focused content within English language courses and introducing two specialized courses in environmental science and law.

The launch event was attended by Dr. Mohammed Redha Qader, Vice President for Academic Programs and Graduate Studies, and Ms. Jehan Al-Murbati, Development Program Officer at UNDP. This collaboration reflects UOB’s commitment to enhancing environmental education and fostering a culture of sustainability through partnership with global organizations.

As part of the initiative, 20% of English course content is dedicated to SDG-related themes, ensuring that all first-year students engage with sustainability education. Upon completion, participants receive a dual certification from both the University of Bahrain and UNDP, signifying their foundational understanding of sustainability and climate issues.

Impact and SDG Alignment

This initiative directly supports SDG 13 – Climate Action by advancing environmental education and awareness across the student community. It contributes to:

• Target 13.3: Improving education, awareness, and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Indicator 13.3.5: Collaboration with NGOs and external partners — represented through the University’s partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to strengthen climate education and sustainability integration in higher education.

The program also reinforces Bahrain’s national commitment to innovation-driven sustainable development and supports the integration of climate literacy within university curricula to prepare future leaders for the green economy.