Pakistani students attend workshop on sustainability

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

A group of Pakistani students from different schools attended a day-long workshop on sustainability and learned about the climate change and how to protect Planet Earth.

The workshop was part of the series of weekly events under the 2-month PYF Summer Academy to hold various activities for the community students.

“The purpose of this workshop and other events as part of the Summer Academy was to provide education and in-depth knowledge on different subjects through the industry experts. Today we had a highly qualified expert from Siemens who highlighted various aspects of climate and how to be sustainable,” said Nissmah Atif, Chairperson Pakistan Youth Forum (PYF), a wing of Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD).

“Most of the students stayed back and we took this initiative to continue education through workshops and engage them,” she said.

The PYF Summer Academy has so far conducted seven workshops including health, public speaking sessions and meetings to invite guest speakers. “The intent of PYF Summer Academy is to equip the students with essential 21st-century skills like development, innovation and technology,” she said.

The workshop was attended by students of secondary and higher grade who learned about the various aspects of environment, climate and sustainability.

Mirza Shaheen Baig, member, education committee, PYF, told the Gulf Today that the purpose of the today’s event was to educate the young students about the environment, how to save the planet and why sustainability was important through various sessions and activities.

“Through the various versions the young students were provided the information on energy saving, water saving, waste management and waste components. With better information one can expect good results as we are also holding some activities including plantation of indoor plants, touring the association building to find out better solutions on sustainability as well as jute bag designing to avoid the polythene shopping bags,” he said.

Baig pointed out that the workshop also included a session by Jamie Hoyzer, Head of Controlling, BT Middle East Siemens who highlighted different aspects of measures by his firm to achieve sustainability.

At the end of the two-month Summer Academy, the youth forum plans to hold an appreciation ceremony to award the students and the speakers.

“We will invite the students, their parents at the ceremony besides officials from the Community Development Authority (CDA) and office bearers of PAD,” Nissmah Atif added.

Recently, UAE Minister of Community Development said the Access Abilities Expo-2019 to be held in Dubai in November with the participation of key UAE government authorities, decision- makers, public officials and community members will pace up the efforts to enhance the services for the People of Determination and widen their integration into our society, along with enabling them overcome their challenges towards achieving sustainable development.

Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid also referred to the initiatives of her Ministry to empower the People of Determination such as the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination, People of Determination Recruitment Platform as well as the approval of the UAE Universal Design Code by the UAE Cabinet in its first session for this year.

She said a number of efforts of the Ministry for the People of Determination remained on top of its agenda in terms of projects, initiatives and ideas that would achieve in realising the aspirations and directives of the government in ensuring that the UAE maintains a friendly environment for the People of Determination.

The Expo is held annually under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Group.