College of Commerce and Business Administration at Dhofar University organized Sustainability Week 2024

As part of ongoing commitment of the College of Commerce and Business Administration at Dhofar university to promote environmental sustainability, for engaging students in its discussions and innovations around this crucial issue, the college has opened its doors to DU community and beyond to attend its Sustainability Week from 11 to 12 November 2024.

The event, which is considered a pioneering event on the college, the university and the governance levels included four main activities. Panel discussion on environment and sustainability in the presence of Dr. Moosa Bin Ahmed Bait Ali Sulaiman, director of center preparatory studies and the acting vice chancellor of Dhofar university and guests from the sponsoring companies under title ‘Sustainable Business Practices and its Future’, which focused on the most important sustainability practices in these companies. The guests from sponsoring companies are: Eng. Mohammed Ali Bait Ali Issa General Manager, Omantel Dhofar, Mr. Andrea Orru, General Manager, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, Mr. Ali Salem Bait Said Director of the Environmental Conservation Department, General Directorate of Environment, Dhofar Governorate, and Mr. Said Salim Al Mashaikhi Electricity Projects Manager Nama Dhofar Services. The main highlight of the event were sustainability exhibition, sustainable projects competition, and sustainable photography competition. This event is sponsored by Nama Dhofar Services (Diamond Sponsor), Al Baleed Anantara Resort (Diamond Sponsor), OQBi (Diamond Sponsor), Omantel (Platinum Sponsor) and Frankincense Jewel (Platinum Sponsor) and their support had a great impact on the success of the event.

Students were invited to participate in the Project Competition from schools and colleges across Oman. This competition aims to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and inspire innovative thinking among students. This year’s theme was
“Environmental Sustainability: Innovative Solutions for a Greener Future”. The project’s participants were invited to develop and present projects that propose innovative solutions to current environmental challenges. Topics of interest were Climate change mitigation, Renewable energy solutions, Sustainable agriculture and food systems, Waste management and reduction, Water conservation, Biodiversity and conservation, and Green technology. Out of 60 teams, 31 teams were shortlisted to present their projects in the exhibition. Dhofar University, Oman College of Health Sciences, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Indian School Salalah, Al Sayyida Mizoon School, Salalah International School, AL Dhiya International School and Samharam School, Al Nahda School for Basic Education and many other institutions participated.

As for the sustainability exhibition, 12 companies participated and shared their sustainable practices. These included: Nama Dhofar Services, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, Omantel, Directorate General of Environment, Department of Agriculture and Livestock Research, Omani Women Association in Taqah, Frankincense Jewel, Small and Medium Enterprises, Sumw Design Studio Interior and Architectural Design, Thriven Environmental Consulting and Services, Dhofar University’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, and Dear Baby handmade products.

With regards to the event’s Sustainable art exhibition, 26 participants were part of the exhibition which was: teachers and students from Dhofar University, British school, As-Soud school, and Al Saada School for Post-Basic Education. Sustainable Art Exhibition was a unique exhibition that merges creativity with sustainability. With the growing concern over climate change and the depletion of natural resources, welcoming artists to express their perspectives on sustainability, environmental conservation, waste reduction, environmental protection and the urgent need for change. The exhibition welcomed photography, paintings, and work of art using recycled, upcycled, and natural materials. This exhibition also served as a means of raising environmental awareness in the Dhofar community and society at large to spark conversations and inspire action. This exhibition was more than just an art show; it was a call to action for a more sustainable future. It explored how art can inspire environmental consciousness and bring awareness to the importance of sustainable living.

Number of attendees were around 1500. At the end of the event, prizes were awarded to the winning projects in the Sustainability Week competitions, as well as certificates of appreciation for the participants and the sponsoring companies. This successful event was organized by the students with the guidance of faculty organizing team chaired by Dr. Mariam Anil.