Khalifa University’s contributions towards UN’s SDGs

Khalifa University of Science and Technology promotes health and well-being through its management, support services, information networks and health promotions, including, but not limited to, alcohol awareness, diet, exercise, and self-management. It seeks to prevent, so far as is practicable, those work place circumstances detrimental to mental health and well-being.

Henceforth, KU has issued a policy EHS 7510 Smoke-Free Environment as part of it’s commitment to reduce the exposure of faculty, staff, students, visitors and contractors to environmental tobacco smoke whilst on university premises or at university workplaces. The sale of tobacco is prohibited on all campuses from retail outlets and vending machines. Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship are prohibited in the university environment. Smoking of any substance is restricted to designated areas of KU campuses only.

Pursuing it’s aim to ensure good health and well being of it’s students, faculty and staff, KU has collaborated with a number of local and global bodies, some of which are  mentioned below:

Local collaborations:

• Khalifa University has local collaborations with Abu Dhabi Health Services Co. (SEHA), Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (operated in conjunction with the Mayo Clinic), and the healthcare arm of Mubadala Investment Co. In addition, KU has numerous collaborations with local healthcare institutions. The Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center – Khalifa University (ku.ac.ae) HEIC integrates a world-class multidisciplinary team of researchers with the leading healthcare providers/regulators in the UAE (Abu Dhabi Department of Health, SEHA, and Heart and Vascular and Stroke Institutes at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi) to define and build population-specific, clinically implementable innovative approaches and engineering solutions.
• Khalifa University and SEHA have collaborated to offer the Clinical Research Certificate Program. The six-month, internationally competitive training program, tailored towards healthcare practitioners, including physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and others, will initially be targeting residents from several institutions and programs; https://www.ku.ac.ae/faqs/where-will-m3-and-m4-students-do-their-rotations-and-clerkships   
• Khalifa University and Mubadala Investment Company, through its healthcare arm, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on projects related to the university’s new medical college, thereby supporting one of the key Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 objectives of establishing the emirate as a significant knowledge hub in the region. https://www.ku.ac.ae/mubadala-and-khalifa-university-collaborate-on-projects-for-new-college-of-medicine-and-health-sciences

Global collaborations:

• The College of Medicine is currently negotiating with several programs in Canada and the USA to establish partnerships for further residency training. Further, the university’s primary teaching hospital, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, is operated by the Mayo Clinic. https://www.ku.ac.ae/faqs/what-is-the-status-of-us-partnership-with-the-school-will-kucmhs-help-match-students-in-residencies-in-the-usa

KU Research Centers Contributing to SDG #3:

• Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center is an initiative aimed at transforming the healthcare innovation landscape in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the MENA region by bridging the substantial existing gap in healthcare innovation and technology. The center aims to tackle relevant health challenges in the UAE, aiming to attract external funding and evolve as a pioneer self- sustainable unit for medical device design, development and clinical testing, in line with Khalifa University mission of innovation and research excellence and with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.

Website: https://www.ku.ac.ae/heic

• Center for Biotechnology is researching genomics, bioinformatics and systems biology to understand risk factors underlying major chronic diseases in the UAE population.

Website: https://www.ku.ac.ae/btc 

• Khalifa University – Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KU-KAIST) Joint Research Center commenced the Smart Healthcare Project in August 2019.

Website: https://www.ku.ac.ae/ku-kaist-jrc 

From 2016-2021, researchers and faculty from KU have issued 299 publications relevant to SDG #3, Good Health and Well-Being. 

Khalifa University of Science and Technology actualizes this commitment to gender parity; this is reflected in its non-discrimination policies and practices, as well as in its consistent women majority enrollment and graduation numbers.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate based on an individual’s gender, ethnicity, religion, disabilities or special needs.

To facilitate its women, KU offers childcare off-campus to students, faculty and staff at the Abu Dhabi branch of Chubby Cheeks Nursery while awaiting the renovations of the on-campus childcare facilities to be completed (2023). The on campus facilities were operated by Chubby Cheeks Nursery prior to the pandemic.

Because Khalifa University is a governmental institution, it adheres to all governmental policies related to non-discrimination and gender parity. Khalifa University of Science and Technology graduation rate patterns consistently show high levels of gender parity (2019 = 61% female graduates; 2020 = 60% female graduates); this is particularly notable when compared to the 2019 female tertiary STEM education graduate average of 13% in OECD countries. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/education-at-a-glance_19991487

All access schemes, including mentoring and scholarships, are offered equally at Khalifa University to men and women alike.

Highlights of KU Female Achievements & Activities:

• Khalifa University’s Dr. Linda Zou, Professor of Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering, was selected by the Emirates Scientists Council to be the Deputy of the Women in Science Committee of the Mohammed bin Rashid Academy of Scientists (MBRAS). https://www.ku.ac.ae/dr-linda-zou-chosen-to-be-the-deputy-of-the-mbras-women-in-science-committee
• Three KU female students were invited to participate in the Women in Data Science (WiDS) UAE 2021. WIDS  is an independent regional event organized by WiDS Ambassadors in the UAE as part of Stanford University’s annual WiDS Worldwide conference. The initiative aims to support women in data science, as well as inspire and educate other data scientists around the world, regardless of gender. https://www.ku.ac.ae/bsc-math-alumni-participate-in-women-in-data-science-2021

• Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) hosted a live webcast session in partnership with Khalifa University to discuss key initiatives to promote gender equality and female entrepreneurship. Khalifa University’s Webinar on ‘Fostering Gender Equality and Entrepreneurship’ in collaboration with ADGM & U.S. Embassy.

Projects and Publications by KU Researchers on Gender Equality:

• Publication 1:

The Handbook of Research on Discrimination, Gender Disparity, and Safety Risks in Journalism: https://www.igi-global.com/book/handbook-research-discrimination-gender-disparity/256634

The Handbook of Research on Discrimination, Gender Disparity, and Safety Risks in Journalism is a critical reference book that highlights equal rights in journalism to ensure the safety of women and men. The book investigates the level and nature of threats, both online and offline, faced by journalists as well as gender discrimination in journalism. Best practices and examples that can promote a safe working environment and gender equality in journalism are also presented. Highlighting important themes such as online harassment, sexism, and gender-based violence, this book is ideal for journalists, reporters, media organizations, professionals, researchers, academicians, and students working or studying in the fields of journalism, media and communications, human rights, and women’s studies.

From 2016-2021, researchers and faculty from KU have issued 9 publications relevant to SDG #5, Gender Equality. 

• KU is one of the beneficiaries of Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) which entitles KU to regular inspections against the international standards for drinking water. Consequently, KU will fall under the new policy that promotes the reuse of the recycled water that is being implemented by ADDC.
• Khalifa University is committed to the long-term reduction of energy consumption and to the improvement of our energy and water efficiency as part of its continuous improvement processes. This is evidenced through the ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 certifications recently received by the KU.
• Conscious water usage and its conservation / conversion is a priority consideration at Khalifa University. Various researches are conducted and passed on to the wider community for their benefit in terms of responsible and conscious usage as well as disposition of water.
• Water usage 2020 has been more optimistic. The water use reduction in 2020 was due to implementation of EHS initiatives of installation of water flow restrictors in the toilet taps, close follow-up with landscaping contractor toward feasible and effective irrigation in addition to others that are all reflecting the water reduction strategies being conducting over the last 2-3 years.
• KU offers wide range of educational and research opportunities in water related areas including water management. 
• Khalifa University won the 2020 Global Water Award for Innovative Research and Development to solve global water issues. This was the second time the university has received this prestigious international award. Khalifa University and the University of Manchester collaborate to tackle world water shortages through innovative research and development of desalination techniques.

KU Research Centers Contributing to SDG #6:

• Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium: The Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) is the SBRC’s flagship research project. It serves as a research and training facility for the next generation of chemical, water and environmental engineers for the country’s knowledge economy.

Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium

Khalifa University is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all staff, visitors, contractors, and students. To meet this commitment, the University shall endeavor to control any risk to workplace health and safety by identifying potential hazards, assessing the risk of the hazard, and implementing corrective measures which aim to control hazards at their source.

In 2020, a new policy “KU Energy and Water Management” has been developed and submitted officially for approval. The development of this policy is in line with KU EHS’s initiative to acquire ISO 50001 Energy management in the near future. Currently, KU has ISO50001 and ISO 140001 certifications.

This Energy review of KU analyzes energy performance based on data and other information, leading to identification of SEUs and opportunities for energy performance improvement.

Currently, all our energy source comes from either ADDC/LPG / gasoline (used for transportation). Low-carbon energy such as wind, solar, hydro or nuclear power is not currently used in KU and hence we don’t have any specific mechanism to monitor low-carbon energy usage, as specified in ADDC’s revised strategy. 

KU is working to develop major sustainable energy proposal involving local industry and government to develop and deploy renewable energy production, storage, and distribution and utilization technologies, towards future 100% renewable integration.

The University is also providing renewable energy and energy-efficient technology advices to major local industry such as ADNOC and Emirate Steels, including proposing renewable energy and energy-efficient joint projects.

Following are some of the on-going initiatives of KU:

• Working with Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DOE) on renewable integration, technology deployment and policy. 2. DOE is a partner of university’s major sustainable energy proposal towards 100% renewable integration.
• Working with Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) on renewable integration, technology deployment and policy. 2. MOEI is a partner of university’s major sustainable energy proposal towards 100% renewable integration.
• Involvement (signed up) in UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), 2. Contributing to presentation at COP26/2021 on Middle East SDG activities.
• KU’s Khalifa Innovation Center (KIC) provides start-up funding for low-carbon technology spinoff companies. We are sharing here two links. One for the establishment of KIC, which is an offspring of Khalifa University. KIC is heavily involved in the process of innovation and has organized various events to aid in the startups such as the 5-DAY VIRTUAL INNOVATION-BASED ENTREPRENEURSHIP ‘LAB-TO-MARKET’ BOOTCAMP. https://www.ku.ac.ae/khalifa-innovation-center-organizes-5-day-virtual-innovation-based-entrepreneurship-lab-to-market-bootcamp

KU’s Research Institutes and Research Centers Contributing to SDG7:

• PETROLEUM INSTITUTE

The Petroleum Institute University and Research Center (PI), as it was initially known, was established in 2001 to support the oil and gas industry of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE. To achieve that goal, it developed and offered undergraduate and graduate engineering and research programs in areas of significance to the oil, gas and broader energy industries. In February 2017, PI merged with the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MI), and the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR). AT KU, PI continues to play a critical role in the research structure as a multidisciplinary research unit focused primarily on upstream and downstream hydrocarbon exploration and production. Its mission is to conduct applied and fundamental research and development of the key technologies required to maintain the UAE’s position at the forefront of innovation in the oil and gas industry.

Through Petroleum Institute, Khalifa University is positioning sustainable hydrocarbon exploration and production as a central focus of its integrated academic and research activities, which it is further developing by channeling the broad expertise of its faculty. PI connects fundamental research with practical application through its partnership with local and international organizations, including ADNOC. The Petroleum Institute is located at KU’s Sas Al Nakhl Campus.

Website: https://www.ku.ac.ae/institute/petroleum-institute

• ADVANCED POWER AND ENERGY CENTER (APEC)

KU’s Advanced Power and Energy Center (APEC) aims to craft the future of electric energy systems allowing seamless and economical operation of high capacity renewable and clean energy resources while supporting hybrid AC/DC grids, and providing optimal architecture for smart grid and transportation electrification.
Website: www.ku.ac.ae/apec

• RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CENTER ON CO2 AND H2 (RICH)

The Research and Innovation Center on CO2 and H2 (known as the RICH Center) is established to address these challenges, contributing to the launch of clean, sustainable energy, from a scientific and technical perspective, building upon complementary expertise of researchers at Khalifa University and supported by highly reputed local and international companies and organizations. The center aims to become a world-leading center of excellence in the use of combined modeling-experimental approaches for research and development of novel materials and technologies for CO2 capture and utilization as well as H2 production, storage and distribution. It also aims to engage in cutting-edge research, development, technology transfer and awareness in CO2 and H2, and sharing this expertise from the UAE to the rest of the world, by fostering innovation and multidisciplinary collaborations and knowledge exchange. Such activity would serve the UAE and the world in the Mission Innovation challenges defined by the Paris agreement, addressing industrial needs, educating highly skilled scientists and engineers, and aiding the society in the search for clean energy and sustainable products.
Website: www.ku.ac.ae/rich

• SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGY RESEARCH CONSORTIUM (SBRC)

Khalifa University’s Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) is dedicated to addressing national and regional concerns surrounding biofuels and the usage of freshwater. The Consortium aims to accelerate the commercialization of biofuels produced locally with salt tolerant biomass grown on arid land and using seawater. The SBRC focuses on the following research areas: Biomass Feedstock Development, System Integration and Optimization, Bioenergy Conversion and Techno-Economic & Environmental Assessment.

The SEAS platform is an integrated process that utilizes marginal resources to create an industrial ecology to provide biomaterials and bioenergy in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Using engineered ecosystems approach to technology development, all subsystems within the SEAS concept aim to maximize upcycling and to minimize impacts, trying to account for all externalities to meet its triple-bottom-line (social, economic and environmental).
Website: www.ku.ac.ae/sbrc

From 2016-2021, researchers and faculty from KU have issued 1,256 publications relevant to SDG #7, Affordable and Clean Energy. 

Khalifa University and its employees abide by its comprehensive HR Policy Manual and Code of Ethics that establish working at the highest international standards pursuing decent and professional work environment with economic growth for the University as well as for its faculty and staff. The code also ensures avoidance of any crimes such as forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labor.

Khalifa University, being a Government institution, is fully compliant with the requirements of Federals laws with regards to human trafficking as well as child labor. It, being a Government institution, is fully compliant with the requirements of Federals laws with regards rights of staff and faculty.

KU recognizes that employee engagement and morale is higher in organizations where employees feel secure in raising real or perceived grievances and where discipline is managed in an open and corrective manner. KU aims to provide a fair, equitable and productive work environment for all its employees that includes a variety of means by which employee grievances are brought to consideration and subsequent resolution in a timely manner.

It pays competitive salaries in accordance with two formal separate salary scales, one for administration staff and one for faculty, with a view to providing appropriate ranges for the grade structure. 

KU is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate based on race or gender. It establishes a job evaluation process that promotes consistent application and internal equity. The university promotes compensation strategies which, combined with benefits and perquisites, optimize recruitment, performance and retention of high caliber, competent and satisfied employees irrespective of their gender, religion, race or ethnicity.  From 2016-2021, researchers and faculty from KU have issued 111 publications relevant to SDG #8, Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Khalifa University through its sustainable investment policy, pursues socially responsible investing or ESG investing, strongly considers environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors before contributing money and resources to a particular company or venture.

Innovation: Technology & Sustainability

• Masdar Institute was established in 2007 in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as an independent non-profit graduate level research university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology. In February 2017 MI merged with the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR), and the Petroleum Institute (PI), to produce one world-class, research-intensive institution, to develop world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and engineering, called the Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU).

At KU, Masdar Institute continues to play a critical role in the research structure and culture of the university, serving as an interdisciplinary research unit focused on long-term strategic priorities, which engages a critical mass of faculty. KU’s sustainability-focused research centers are primarily grouped under the Masdar Institute. As a research institute, MI also connects fundamental research with practical application through its partnership with local and international organizations, like the major renewable energy and sustainable urban development leader Masdar.

The UAE is developing into an icon for innovation and knowledge-based economic development in an environment where public and private sectors form effective partnerships. Masdar Institute is well positioned to support these UAE efforts in the areas of sustainable energy and the environment. As the UAE’s premier cross-disciplinary institution for clean energy, water and the environment, Masdar Institute continues to seek the most efficient and cost-effective solutions for the UAE. We will focus on further developing areas of strength in the new decade, while at the same time supporting innovative ideas where we can achieve the greatest impact. Masdar Institute will lead in a new decade of great opportunities driven by new ways of producing, storing and utilizing energy, both in UAE and around the world.

Website: www.ku.ac.ae/institute/masdar-institute

Innovation: Robotics, ICTs, Data Analytics & Cyber-security

• Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute

Khalifa University’s Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute was established in July 2019 to bring all the university’s research in robotics, artificial intelligence, data science, next-gen networks, semiconductor technologies and cybersecurity under a single umbrella.

Its mission is to conduct applied and fundamental research and development of the key technologies required to bring the UAE significantly closer to reaching its goal of becoming a global hub for Artificial Intelligence innovation.

Through its Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute, Khalifa University is positioning robotics and Artificial Intelligence as a central focus of its integrated academic and research activities, which it is further developing by channeling the broad expertise of its faculty.

Under its three main research thrusts – Robotics, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Hardware – the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute is pioneering use-inspired projects with the aim to provide commercial value locally and globally. By leveraging its robust expertise in ICT, data analytics and robotics research, and partnering with the region’s leading industry experts in the field, the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute is set to develop the innovative technologies needed to achieve the UAE’s AI transformation goals.

Website: www.ku.ac.ae/about/robotics-and-intelligent-systems-institute

Industry area: Space Technology & Innovation

• Khalifa University Space Technology and Innovation Center (KUSTIC) was established with the aim of becoming a center of excellence for the space sector in the UAE. KUSTIC builds on the current space-related capabilities developed within Khalifa University to support the space industry, as well as to use resources effectively to achieve the greatest impact opportunity for the UAE. The research projects undertaken at the KUSTIC will have a crucial role in building capabilities and creating a technical hub. Specifically, it will train UAE students in satellite design and manufacturing; conduct scientific research in space sector and applications; develop satellite manufacturing capabilities in the UAE; promote and inspire entrepreneurship in the space sector; and support the space science and technology initiatives of the UAE Space Agency. KUSTIC also hosts the Yahsat Space Lab, which was established to support the CubeSat programs at UAE universities in general and the Khalifa University Space Systems programs in particular. The lab is the first of its kind in the region with the capability to design, build and test small satellites up to 6U form factor (30 cm X 20 cm X 10 cm).

Website: www.ku.ac.ae/kustic

Industry area: Nuclear technology

• Emirates Nuclear Technology Center (ENTC) at Khalifa University is designed to provide a hub to address the present and future research requirements to support the UAE’s nuclear power program and deliver our key stakeholder’s goals for the delivery of safe, clean and efficient nuclear energy to meet the UAE’s 2030-2050 visions, while protecting the public, workers and the environment. The ENTC’s mission is to conduct research in the main thematic areas of nuclear technology necessary to provide a risk informed decision basis for the safe operation of the nuclear power plants, while estimating the consequences should faults occur.  Our research in the main thematic areas of Nuclear Safety and Systems, Nuclear Materials and Chemistry and Radiation Safety in the Environment will provide data for informed decision while innovation in methodology and practices will aim to minimize the risks of faults.

Website: www.ku.ac.ae/entc

Industry area: Aerospace technology

• Aerospace Research & Innovation Center (ARIC) aims to develop an international reputation for cutting-edge research in aerospace technologies.

Website: www.aric.ae

Innovation areas: Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and cyber-physics

• Center for Cyber-Physical Systems (C2PS) is delivering innovative CPSs that guarantee key properties like scalability, security, privacy and resilience to attacks. C2PS brings together top KU faculty from several Departments. We work together with in-house research staff and students to develop and apply CPS concepts in four key areas: Edge-Cloud Computation and Blockchain, Mobile Network and 5G, Data Analytics and Applied Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber-Security and Privacy. The C2PS is funded by an internal grant by KU and receives targeted and project-oriented funding from companies and other UAE funding agencies.

Website: www.ku.ac.ae/c2ps

Innovation area: Robotics

• Khalifa University Center for Autonomous Robotic Systems (KUCARS) produces top research outputs with potential for high impact, developing robotics showcases, educating and training students and staff, engaging with external stakeholders, consolidating international collaborations and researcher exchanges, benchmarking at international level (including participation in MBZIRC and other international competitions.

Website: www.ku.ac.ae/kucars

Industry area: Digital Manufacturing

• Advanced Digital & Additive Manufacturing Center (ADAM) focuses on digitally designing, simulating, and experimentally characterizing the additive manufacturing (AM) process through different AM technologies such as metal/plastic powder-bed infusion, fused deposition modeling, and polyjet processes. Simulating the AM process provides significant insights on the optimum printing parameters that lead to stable 3D printed components with enhanced mechanical and physical properties.

Website: www.ku.ac.ae/adam

Industry area: Supply Chain and Management

• Digital Supply Chain and Operations Management Center (DSOM) is a faculty cluster, dedicated to scholarship and education on extended enterprise operations and its digital transformation. Our macro-level research aims to provide real-world, cutting edge focus on the digital transactions, management, and optimization in multiple domains (maritime logistics, production lines, health care delivery systems). The faculty center expertise in supply chain, data science and predictive analytics, along with digitally networked systems, to address the extended-enterprises as a nexus of integrated supply-chains, digital-operations management, and technology-ready human capital.

Website: www.ku.ac.ae/dsom

Industry area: Healthcare

• Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC) is an initiative aimed at transforming the healthcare innovation landscape in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the MENA region by bridging the substantial existing gap in healthcare innovation and technology. The center aims to tackle relevant health challenges in the UAE, aiming to attract external funding and evolve as a pioneer self- sustainable unit for medical device design, development and clinical testing, in line with Khalifa University mission of innovation and research excellence and with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.

Website: www.ku.ac.ae/heic

Industry area: AI and News Media Industry

• Theme: Artificial Intelligence & News Media Industry
  • Name: Dr. Sadia Jamil Department: Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Publication: Jamil, Sadia. (2020). Artificial Intelligence and Journalistic Practice: The Crossroads of Obstacles and Opportunities for the Pakistani Journalists. Journalism Practice. (published online first on 7th July 2020). https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2020.1788412

• Project-related Event: THISAM 2020: https://www.joursummerschool.org/speakers_

From 2016-2021, researchers and faculty from KU have issued 453 publications relevant to SDG #9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. 

KU has strict anti-discrimination / anti harassments policies for both students as well as for staff / faculty members where everyone has a right to equal treatment by the university and to be free from discrimination based on race, color, origin, religion, gender or special needs.

• Admissions catalogues clearly states on page 77 that all admissions are free of any discriminations, “A student has a right to be free from discrimination based on race, color, origin, religion, gender or special needs.” https://www.ku.ac.ae/undergraduate-catalog
• The office of enrollment and the Institutional Research office collect and monitor students applications and enrollment considering wide range of categories such as gender, low income students and students with special needs.
• The university offers very generous scholarship schemes to 657 students and managed to attract 407 students from developing countries. Meanwhile, it offers good salary scheme with equal opportunity to all nationalities and genders.
• Khalifa University students receive same level of support and are treated equally.
• Khalifa University supports students and staff with disabilities and provide them the right access and personal support if needed.
• Counseling services also assist students with special needs by offering special accommodation to ensure they are not disadvantaged because of their disability. The guiding principle of counseling is built on trust; hence all counseling sessions are held to high level of confidentiality.
• Additionally, Khalifa University HR provides mentoring for all its new employees, providing insight on the applicable laws, policies and procedures through Orientation program provided on the first day. Moreover, the policy supports helping those who require financial support to secure proper accommodation through Housing advance payments.

Publications by KU Researchers that Contribute to SDG #10

• Publication 1: Special Edition – Social inequalities & Marginalized Communities

Media Discourses and Representation of Marginalized Communities in Multicultural Societies:  https://think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issues/media-discourse/

Name: Dr. Sadia Jamil

Department: Humanities & Social Sciences

Media discourses and Marginalized Communities in Multicultural Societies is Journalism Practice’s special edition, being edited by Dr. Sadia Jamil (Khalifa University, UAE), Associate Professor Jessica Retis (University of Arizona, US) and Dr. Paul Murschetz (Austrian Academy of Sciences & University of Digital Sciences, Berlin),  with a purpose to present impactful studies offering insights into the news media’s role in jeopardizing the representation of minority/or marginalized groups, as well as to address their potential role to combat discrimination against members of marginalized groups such as minority racial and ethnic communities, drug users and drug addicts, sex workers, LGBT persons, and people living with HIV. The term media discourses do not merely imply the manner in which facts or reality is represented in the electronic and printed media, relatively the manner in which reality is shaped by the journalists and media professionals. Thus, one of the key contributions of this special edition is to underline the power and influence of media discourses to not only present, but rather shape social practices.

• Publication 2: Digital & Social inequalities

Jamil, Sadia. (2020). A widening digital divide and its implications for democracy and social inequalities in Pakistan. In Massimo Ragnedda and Anna Gladkova (Eds), Digital Inequalities in the Global South. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 59-78. 

KU Research Centers Contributing to SDG #10:

• Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center is an initiative aimed at transforming the healthcare innovation landscape in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the MENA region by bridging the substantial existing gap in healthcare innovation and technology. The center aims to tackle relevant health challenges in the UAE, aiming to attract external funding and evolve as a pioneer self- sustainable unit for medical device design, development and clinical testing, in line with Khalifa University mission of innovation and research excellence and with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.

Website: https://www.ku.ac.ae/heic

• Center for Biotechnology is researching genomics, bioinformatics and systems biology to understand risk factors underlying major chronic diseases in the UAE population.

Website: https://www.ku.ac.ae/btc 

• Khalifa University – Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KU-KAIST) Joint Research Center commenced the Smart Healthcare Project in August 2019.

Website: https://www.ku.ac.ae/ku-kaist-jrc 

Name: Dr. Sadia Jamil
Department: Humanities & Social Sciences

DETAILS OF ACADEMIC PROJECT/PUBLICATION:

Theme: Technology, Communities & Urban Life
Publication: Jamil, Sadia. (2020). Karachi’s Urbanization: Challenges and prospects for a thriving digital culture in urban life. In Bhakti More (Ed.), Emergent Technologies: New Media & Urban Life. Champaign, IL: Common Grounds Networks, pp. 103-117.

Urban population in South Asia is growing at a very rapid pace and is expected to rise by 250 million by 2030, as per World Bank latest estimates. This pace of urbanization provides South Asian countries with the potential to change their developing economies to be part of the developed nations’ group regarding both prosperity and livability. However, the region continues to struggle to make the most of the urbanization-led opportunities. One major reason is that its urbanization has been messy and hidden. Messy urbanization is reflected in the widespread existence of slums and sprawl, and in the lack of basic infrastructure and amenities for the public. With the advent of technology, it is widely opined that technology can help to resolve urbanization-related issues and can help South Asian countries to transform its major cities into smart cities, or at least a better place to live for its urban dwellers. Perhaps this is not the case for Karachi, which is the gateway of Asia and the economic hub of Pakistan. The city’s urbanization is both rapid and messy, and it is not known to what extent the city’s residents have benefited from the ICT development to cope with urban life challenges and their social interaction. Therefore, drawing on the theory of technological determinism, this study aims to explore major challenges and problems relating to the growth of digital culture in Karachi, the biggest urban city and economic hub of Pakistan. This study also addresses how and to what extent the proliferation of ICT infrastructure has transformed the public’s lifestyle and patterns of urban social interactions among the city’s dwellers.

• Khalifa University is committed to the long-term reduction of energy consumption and to the improvement of our energy and water efficiency as part of its continuous improvement processes. This is evidenced through the ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 certifications recently received by KU.
• KU is committed to responsible consumption and production. It encourages it’s staff, by way of its policy number KUP6600 and procedures, to ensure responsible and sustainable sourcing as well as consumption of general office supplies and other usable material.
• The Procurement and Contracts Department of Khalifa University ensures that sustainable, fair and ethical sourcing practices are applied, integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles into KU’s procurement processes and decisions while meeting the requirements of your stakeholders, and that suppliers comply with socially responsible practices, including legislative obligations to employees.
• There is a comprehensive waste management procedure. Also, to develop, implement and maintain a procedure to manage generated waste to achieve the best EHS performance with regard to Management System and the communal and economic development of Abu Dhabi Emirate as a whole.
• Various events are organized to enhance awareness amongst staff, faculty and students about responsible consumption and production hence Plastic Bag Free Day was celebrated on July 3, 2020.
• An annual EHS report is issued that summarizes the work we do to ensure that our students, employees, contractors, and visitors are safe, happy and thriving at work. Each year we have an environment, health and safety improvement plan and the report highlights how this has been delivered during the year and describes the plans for the forthcoming year.
• KU’S CENTER: SUSTAINABLE BIOENERGY RESEARCH CONSORTIUM

Research area: Salt-tolerant and arid land biomass

A common downside of current generation fuel crops is their competition for agricultural resources (arable land, irrigation freshwater, fertilizers) with food crops, therefore economically impacting the agricultural landscape worldwide. Socio-economic impacts of conventional fuel crops are particularly felt on at-risk or marginalized communities, where this resource competition between fuel and food crops leads to a direct increase in prices of traditional dietary staples. Potential environmental impacts due to indirect land-use change and intensive energy requirements may also mean that these biofuel feedstocks are not truly sustainable. By basing the fuel crop production on halophytes, the SEAS platform aims to completely avoid this issue, which uses non-arable land for agricultural purposes. In addition, it can enable sustainable agroforestry practices in arid, biomass-poor regions: given the existing lack of suitable crops and biomass sources in desert arid regions, a platform such as SEAS will unlock this biomass industry worldwide in some of the highest solar energy potential regions, that are hamstrung by lack of access to freshwater resources.

The UAE has engaged in the fight against climate change and listed this issue amongst its priority targets to maintain the country’s sustainability and growth.

KU has been a strategic partner with Federal and Abu Dhabi Governments to research on the climate change within the country and in the region.

There have been various research projects carried out by KU in relation to the change in temperatures and rainfall shortages:

• Researchers from KU characterize the weather features over the Arabian Peninsula and establish knowledge on their seasonal and annual variability  https://www.ku.ac.ae/khalifa-university-research-shows-increasing-trends-in-summertime-temperatures-over-the-uae

• A Khalifa University team has found warming global temperatures may be making springtime rainfall last longer in the UAE, and possibly become more common. https://www.ku.ac.ae/more-uae-rain-in-the-springtime-as-climate-change-impacts-local-weather-patterns

• Dr.Ludovic Dumée , Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering at Khalifa University, outlines the strategies and technologies that could be deployed to turn CO2 emissions into a resilient circular economy.  https://www.ku.ac.ae/carbon-capture-and-conversion-technologies-could-clean-the-atmosphere-and-turn-co2-into-commercial-opportunities

KU has contributed at various forums to enhance awareness of climate change and its impacts. These include papers on clean air, geological climate, and more:

• The Environmental and Geosciences Lab (ENGEOS) at Khalifa University, which I head, is responsible for providing air quality forecasts for the entire UAE daily to the MOCCAE in order to be shared with the public and serve as guidance for vulnerable groups. https://www.ku.ac.ae/we-need-to-look-beyond-our-borders-for-clean-air-and-blue-skies
• Dr. Thomas Steuber studies ancient rock fossils in the UAE to understand the role of climate change today. https://www.ku.ac.ae/what-the-uaes-geological-mysteries-teach-us-about-climate-change
• Masdar Institute (a part of KU) has collaborated with  Global Energy Association by signing an agreement to Cooperate in Energy-Related Areas back in 2019. KU has contributed at various forums to enhance awareness of climate change and its impacts. These include papers on clean air, geological climate etc. https://www.ku.ac.ae/abu-dhabi-doe-dcd-khalifa-university-and-al-futtaim-ikea-collaborate-to-take-sustainable-living-to-the-next-level

https://www.ku.ac.ae/kus-masdar-institute-and-petroleum-institute-line-up-five-research-innovations-for-24th-world-energy-congress

• Book project: Environmental Journalism in the Global South (eds.)

Name: Dr. Sadia Jamil

Department: Humanities & Social Sciences

Details of academic project/publication:

Jamil, Sadia., Ramon Tuazon., & Therese S. Torres (2022). Environmental Journalism in the Global South. London: Palgrave MacMillan (forthcoming, Early 2022).

Environmental issues continue to grow in scope day-by-day, indicating the timely need to address the pressing areas of concern, such as: global warming; climate change; food and public’s health safety; shortage of food; overpopulation; water, land, soil and air pollution; increased carbon footprints; deforestation; national disasters (e.g. earthquakes, floods, droughts etc). These issues go beyond the realm of science into complex arenas of politics, economics, and health. As environmental concerns grow, the need for a well-informed public becomes more critical (Jamil, 2020). By now, we know that the public’s opinion and perceptions about environmental issues are shaped by many sources including government and non-government organizations, political debates and documentaries. Among the important sources of information about environment have been journalists and the news media. A major challenge is how to convey complex concepts and impart a sense of the urgency of these challenges in a way that engages the reader. In the past two decades, environmental journalism has evolved to serve this purpose and has always represented an important part of people’s perceptions of the world. Over time, people have become more and more interested and concerned about the things going on around them in their environment. This increased public’s awareness has directly translated to an increased need for environmental journalism studies, programs, and news. As more information about how things impact people, and the globe, comes to light, the interest in, and importance of environmental journalism increases accordingly. Much of the work on environmental journalism has been done by the Western scholars (Sachsman and Valenti, 2020; Valenti, 2017; Rogener and Wormer, 2017; Ale, 2015; Bodker and Neverly, 2014; Bodker, 2012; Carthew et al., 2012; Wyss, 2010; Frome, 1998), and limited attention has been paid in the global South to reflect upon different aspects of environmental journalism (Acharya and Noronha, 2010). Holistic studies of environmental journalism by the researchers in the global South is overdue. Thus, this edited volume welcome contributions from scholars in the Global South to cover the following key areas:

• Journalists’ attitudes and motivations towards environmental journalism;
• The influence of contextual factors, such as religious, cultural, ethnic, socio-political environments, on journalists’ practice of environmental journalism;
• Coverage of environmental issues by mainstream, ethnic and diasporic news media;
• The impact of religious, political and cultural factors in shaping and influencing news media discourses into diverse environmental issues;
• Challenges and prospects for the practice of environmental journalism;
• The role of economic, intellectual and technological resources to foster environmental journalism;
• Environmental journalism pedagogy in the countries of global South. 

• Khalifa University is an educational institution based on the principles that promote peace, justice and strength. Various documents are available for corporate governance and communication with internal stakeholders that are within or external to KU.
• All employees of KU are expected to adhere to the standards of conduct and ethical behaviors specified the University Code of Conduct. Any violation of these standards are noted and addressed in a timely manner. This document outlines the proper channels for reporting conduct violations, the means for investigating such reports, the rights of the employee and the incremental sanctions which may be imposed according to the HR Policy Manual.
• To strength its institutional standing, milestone agreements to expand collaborations with national and international partners, pioneering research innovations have led to commercialization license to benefit the community, new academic programs, and fresh inroads into developing medical professionals to support the regional healthcare ecosystem were some of the key highlights for Khalifa University during the year 2019.
• Khalifa University encourages the establishment of student groups on campus. Every registered student on campus, undergraduate or graduate, is encouraged to organize or become member of a recognized student group.
• KU is obliged to uphold and preserve its students’ rights to exercise principles of academic freedom. This is exercised through the implementation of Quality Assurance Manual as well as through the Governance and Administration Policy.
• There are elected councils of students and faculty, in addition to appointed committees and leadership groups that ensure peace, justice and equity within the university.
  • The student council assumes the role of working on behalf of the interests and needs of the students; improves the intellectual, cultural and social character of the university; and empowers the students to foster a living-learning community.
  • The Faculty Academic Council (FAC) is a standing advisory council established for the purpose of discussing issues and addressing concerns that relate to the professional academic force of the university.
• Accordingly, milestone agreements to expand collaborations with national and international partners, pioneering research innovations that have led to commercialization license to benefit the community, new academic programs, and fresh inroads into developing medical professionals to support the regional healthcare ecosystem were some of the key highlights for Khalifa University of Science and Technology during the year 2019.
• In line with its continuing commitment towards enhancing key collaborations with research and academic institutions, the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA) has revealed the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of the emirate’s leading universities, Khalifa University of Science and Technology. A number of faculty and leadership of KU are representing the University and acting in advisory roles on various Governmental bodies as well as committees. Dr Ahmed Al Shoaibi – SVP Academic and Student Services of KU is a member in Mohammed Bin Rashid Academy of Scientists. Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi currently holds the position of the Executive Vice President at Khalifa University. Dr. Arif further chairs the Steering Committee of the UAE Graduate Research Conference and the Executive Committee of the Emirates Advanced Network for Research and Education.

Publications and Activities by KU Researchers that Contribute to SDG #16:

• Publication 1:

Handbook of Research on Combating Threats to Media Freedom and Journalist Safety: https://www.igi-global.com/book/handbook-research-combating-threats-media/232292

Name: Dr. Sadia Jamil

Department: Humanities & Social Sciences

Details of academic project/publication:

The Handbook of Research on Combating Threats to Media Freedom and Journalist Safety is an essential reference source that evaluates how diverse threats impact on journalists’ wellbeing, their right to freedom of expression, and overall media freedoms in various contexts and assesses inadequacies in national security policies, planning, and coordination relating to the safety of journalists in different countries. Featuring research on topics such as freedom of the press, professional journalism, and media security, this book is ideally designed for journalists, news writers, editors, columnists, press, broadcasters, newscasters, government officials, lawmakers, diplomats, international relations officers, law enforcement, industry professionals, academicians, researchers, and students.

• Event 1: Desafíos ante la violencia y por la seguridad de periodistas en tiempos de pandemia (Challenges in the face of violence and for the safety of journalists in times of pandemic OCTOBER 22, 23 AND 24, 2020)

Event organizers: The Network for Freedom of Expression against Violence to Communicators (Mexico), the Xochimilco Metropolitan Autonomous University and the Ibero-American University

Session: Labor and digital violence against women journalists in times of crisis: Speaker, Dr. Sadia Jamil https://forodesafiosperiodistas.net/participantes/#page-content

• Event 2: Moscow Readings 2020

Panel: Digital safety and protection of journalists in the Global South (Chair/organizer, Dr. Sadia Jamil)

• Event 3: Delayed virtual event on World Press Freedom Day by UNESCO (Paris), Leiden University and the government of Netherlands (9-10, December, 2020)

Safety risks and Discrimination faced by female journalists

Speaker: Dr. Sadia Jamil   

• KU has established both long term and short-term partnerships with internally as well as externally to pursue Sustainable Development Goals. Khalifa University is actively involved in establishing long term strategic partnerships with a variety of organizations. The University currently enjoys strong relationships with over 40 national and international partners including industry leaders, multinational entities, government agencies, universities and other institutions.
• KU has worked with National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals as a cross sectoral initiative and has contributed towards the implementation of sustainable development goals at National level as per the Vision 2030 of UAE Government. Please refer to the page number 52 of the document provided on the link. KU also participated in the development of action plans for SDG implementation by Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
• KU, through its researchers, aims to include a range of research papers such as “Edit Special Issue of Prestigious Journalism Journal” to address several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including gender equality (SDG goal 6), inequalities (SDG goal 10) and issues that relate to human wellbeing, societal peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG goal 16).
• The KU-SDG Ambassador Program is a co-curricular program which aims to build upon KU’s membership into the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and introduce the UN-SDGs to our students; equipping them with the knowledge to contribute towards giving back to the community. This program will include a series of workshops on the topics of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Leadership with a focus on sustainability.
• KU’s visions, as a research-intensive institution, is to seamlessly integrate research and education to produce world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science, engineering, management and medicine. Continuously innovate and integrate the global standard in methods of learning and discovery.
• KU offers a wide range of elective courses which have SDG related themes such as Sustainability, Energy, Climate Change, Environment, Waste Management, Water etc. within them. For details refer to the under graduate and graduate catalogues. https://www.ku.ac.ae/undergraduate-catalog and https://www.ku.ac.ae/graduate-catalog
• To benefit the community at large, KU has launched the Community Webinar Series, a string of educational webinars designed to teach and inform the general public about a variety of beneficial topics, ranging from lessons on coronavirus to lessons on how to better understand your personality, build leadership skills, create a sustainable lifestyle, and many more. The series is targeted towards everyone – from high school and university students, to parents, professionals and anyone in between who is interested in broadening their skillset and knowledge. The seminars were offered free of charge to the local and international community of learners as an extension of our active commitment to exchanging knowledge and resources in the spirit of collaboration to promote a happier, more engaged community, and a more sustainable world. www.ku.ac.ae/community-webinars 

KU Research Centers that Contribute to SDG #17:

• The Khalifa University – Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KU-KAIST) Joint Research Center The KU-KAIST Joint Research Center was launched in April 2019 and aims to provide comprehensive support for research projects involving the development of technologies that are shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution, particularly in the areas of Smart Transportation and Smart Healthcare, across the two campuses.

Two projects linked to Smart Transportation (SDG 9) and Smart Healthcare (SDG 3) have commenced under the Joint Research Center August 2019. Following the official launch of the KU-KAIST Joint Research Center at KU’s Main Campus in April 2019, the KAIST-KU JRC at the KAIST Daejeon campus was also launched in July 2019. This is the second phase of collaboration following the partnership agreement that was signed in 2010 between the two institutions, which aimed to provide the best science and technology education as well as develop nuclear energy in the UAE

KU-KAIST Joint Research Center

• UAE- Korea Joint R&D Technical Center The KUTC has been launched by KU and the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), with support from the Korea Ministry of Science and ICT. It will initially cover areas including advanced materials especially in energy, oil and gas, and catalysts, as well as characterization of semiconductor materials and devices, in addition to materials for bio-medical and energy applications (SDG 7).

UAE- Korea Joint R&D Technical Center

• Advanced Digital & Additive Manufacturing Center (ADAM) (SDG 9) focuses on digitally designing, simulating, and experimentally characterizing the additive manufacturing (AM) process through different AM technologies such as metal/plastic powder-bed infusion, fused deposition modeling, and polyjet processes. Simulating the AM process provides significant insights on the optimum printing parameters that lead to stable 3D printed components with enhanced mechanical and physical properties. Key national and international collaborators for this center include: New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Strata, Siemens, Etihad Airways, Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Brunel University London, Dassault Aviation (DA), US Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), University of Applied Sciences (SUPSI)- Switzerland, and Abu Dhabi Police.

Advanced Digital & Additive Manufacturing Center