AUC Partners to Create Executive Diploma in Sustainability

Building on the University's expertise and proven track record in sustainability and its history of excellence in professional education, AUC will offer an Executive Diploma in Sustainability to train and empower 200 Emirati public servants as the United Arab Emirates prepares to host COP28 in November. 

Through a partnership with the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai International Financial Centre Academy and the UAE University Leadership Council, this interdisciplinary program will offer four cohorts the opportunity to gain the essential knowledge, skills and mindset required to take leadership in sustainable initiatives.

“We are honored to be partnering with distinguished colleagues in the UAE who share our common vision for ensuring sustainability is an integral part of the advancement of the Arab world,” said AUC President Ahmad Dallal at the signing. 

Prioritizing a deep understanding of the global sustainability challenges the world faces, the two-month Executive Diploma in Sustainability will foster innovation and cultivate a strong sense of environmental responsibility. 

The diploma centers on four sustainability models: 1) sustainability and water, 2) energy and food nexus from a global perspective, 3) energy resources and green economy at the regional level and 4) water productivity for food security and grassroots innovation for water-energy-food challenges. Participants further benefit from immersive site visits in the United Arab Emirates in order to implement the practical knowledge and skills they acquire during their studies.

The program will also serve as a model for further sustainable initiatives. “We draw on AUC’s technical expertise in sustainability and track record in professional education to build with our partners in the UAE a program that can serve as a model for equipping the region’s workforce with skills essential to the future of work.” said President Dallal.

By reflecting on critical global challenges like the evolving landscape of Sustainable Development Goals, ecological awareness, renewable energies and resilience in the face of climate change, participants will gain a broad understanding of strategies to address pressing environmental concerns. Armed with this knowledge, they will be equipped to advocate for sustainable resource usage and create lasting positive impacts across various industries and communities. 

"The Executive Diploma in Sustainability- Dubai program is an enriching opportunity for professionals and graduates alike, honing their expertise to drive sustainability in a rapidly changing world," said Muhammad Khaled, operations manager at the Center for Applied Research on the Environment and Sustainability (CARES). "Aligned with AUC's Climate Change Initiative and the commitment of CARES to not only inspire positive change in the MENA region but also catalyze global transformation, this program exemplifies our dedication to shaping a more responsible and sustainable future.”

In 2022, AUC launched a diploma program in sustainable development to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address pressing environmental and social challenges. The diploma –– with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainable technologies, and social and environmental policy –– coincided with Egypt's preparations to host the COP27 climate conference in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022.