UN Environment and University of Bahrain Sign Agreement to Support Youth in Education

As part of a high-level visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, the UN Environment Acting Executive Director, Ms. Joyce Msuya, and Professor Riyad Hamzah, President of the University of Bahrain, signed a memorandum of understanding which provides strategic support to youth in education. The agreement was signed with the presence of the UN Environment West Asia Regional Director, Mr. Sami Dimassi, where the University also joined the Youth and Education Alliance.

The UN Environment West Asia Office and the University of Bahrain have a long-standing partnership, and share a common vision in informing, educating, and empowering youth to protect and sustain the environment through innovation.

Under the overall framework of the agreement, the UN Environment West Asia Office will provide strategic support to youth initiatives under the university’s “Future Leader’s Programme”, which aims to raise awareness on environmental issues and sustainable development in Bahrain within the campus and among youth networks. Additionally, the partnership will materialize in joint education, research, and outreach activities in the “Environment for Sustainable Development” programme. The strategic partnership will ensure the efficient exchange of scientific and technical knowledge in the fields of environmental management and sustainable development. The UN Environment West Asia Office will provide the university with technical assistance to incorporate environmental awareness and sustainability in the curriculum, and the establishment of student and faculty networks on environment.

During the ceremony, Ms. Msuya highlighted “Young people around the world are increasingly calling on us to take climate action. We are excited to partner with the University of Bahrain to equip young people with the tools and knowledge they need to create the next generation of environmental leaders in the region.”

Prof. Riyad Y. Hamzah, President of the University of Bahrain, said: ‘the University currently has more than 28,000 students. Launching this comprehensive programme as an instrument of change serves the entire community and targets the young generation.’

‘The University of Bahrain is keen on cultivating environmental awareness of students. We have made a remarkable achievement by ranking first in Bahrain and 213 globally on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019 in relation to the recent University Impact in fulfilling the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),’ added Prof. Hamzah

UN Environment and the University of Bahrain will collaboration on the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES), and the implementation of the Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development.

Through the partnership periodic joint seminars and workshops will be implemented on different environmental issues, as well as training workshops on key regional environmental issues such as renewable energy, water scarcity, and food security. Moreover, UN Environment and the University of Bahrain will conduct joint academic research on key environmental areas in Bahrain and the region.