Latest news with #AmericanUniversityofSharjah
The National
19 hours ago
- Health
- The National
Sharjah study shows devastating impact of plastic pollution on marine life, says expert
The amount of discarded plastic found in dead seabirds in the UAE has been described as "very alarming" by a senior Greenpeace campaigner. Farah Al Hattab, lead plastics campaigner at Greenpeace Mena, said harm to creatures such as seabirds indicated "a much deeper environmental crisis". The new research, released by Sharjah researchers, reported that about one in eight seabirds found dead off the emirate's coast had eaten some form of marine pollutant, mostly plastic or glass, but also including oil. "The study is very alarming and adds to the growing body of evidence on the devastating impact of plastic pollution on biodiversity," Ms Al Hattab told The National. "Any imbalance in the ecosystem, especially involving indicator species like seabirds, signals a much deeper environmental crisis." She said the findings of the study released last month indicated "how pervasive plastic pollution has become", adding that studies like the one just published were "a warning sign". When researchers analysed nearly 500 birds found dead off Sharjah's coasts, 12.8 per cent or about one in eight contained some type of marine pollutant. Most of these − 11.1 per cent of all birds found dead − had solid debris such as plastic or glass in their stomachs, while a further 1.7 per cent of birds contained oil globules. Carried out by scientists from the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, the work is thought by the researchers to be the first in the Middle East to measure how the region's seabirds are affected by plastic and other waste. Hidden risks The study's lead author, Fadi Yaghmour, a scientific researcher at the EPAA's Sharjah Strandings Response Programme, indicated debris could damage the birds' gastrointestinal tract. 'Even when the debris doesn't cause physical damage to the tract through tears, or even if it doesn't block the tract, as is often occurring with sheath-like plastics, the bird will feel full, satiated, even while it has not gained any nutrition from eating a piece of plastic,' he said. The researchers analysed the contents of the gastrointestinal tracts of 478 seabirds from 17 species found dead off Sharjah's coasts from the beginning of 2017 to the end of 2023. Birds analysed included 406 black-headed gulls, 29 large white-headed gulls and 23 Socotra cormorants. When a sample of 20 birds were looked at as part of the same study, all contained microplastics, the tiny particles formed from the break-up of larger pieces of plastics. More than three-quarters of the microplastic particles were microfibres, probably from laundry. These can cause scarring and inflammation of animals' digestive tract. Another author, Prof Fatin Samara, part of the American University of Sharjah's recently launched Sharjah Environmental Hazards Assessment Research Group, said problems came not only from the plastic itself. 'It's also about how microplastics can carry or attract toxic pollutants,' she said. 'We're not just examining the plastics themselves – we're also testing for heavy metals and organic contaminants, because multiple studies have shown that microplastics can act as vectors, transporting other substances through the environment. 'What you're dealing with is a cocktail of plastics that may also carry additional toxic chemicals on their surfaces.' Some seabirds, such as gulls, travel inland and visit landfill sites, so not all debris that they consumed will have originated in the seas. A key way to cut plastic pollution is, Prof Samara said, to simply reduce how much plastic is used. Promoting a more circular economy, in which material is recycled, is also important. From the 478 dead birds were analysed in the study, 62 (or 12.8 per cent) had eaten marine debris of some kind, and 53 of those had consumed plastic or other solid debris. Eight had eaten oil or similar pollutants. Phased bans Levels of marine debris found in seabirds varies globally, according to data reported in the new study, with 13 per cent of gulls in the western Mediterranean found to contain marine debris, compared with 22 per cent off Ireland and 33 per cent in the North Pacific. Australian research reported that eight per cent of gulls contained marine debris. Prof Brendan Godley, of the University of KhorFakkan's Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre and the University of Exeter in the UK, said when seabirds ate plastic, they could regurgitate it for chicks, leading to gut damage, blockages and death. Also, if the animal is being fed plastic, it cuts the amount of actual food eaten. 'If a chick needs a lot of food to grow and survive and the parents think they're giving a full portion but half is [not food], it's not getting the nutrition, as well as damaging the gut and causing blockages,' he said. The UAE authorities have tried to prevent plastic waste entering the environment through phased bans on plastic products, with further nationwide restrictions coming into force next year. While many camels have died in the UAE from eating plastic bags, the numbers are thought to have fallen thanks to restrictions on single-use plastic bags. Plastic is also harmful to dugongs. Other dangers to wildlife from litter remain, with Mr Yaghmour saying seabirds continued to get caught in discarded fishing gear, years after the issue was identified. Some of the most severe cases have involved fish hooks with lines becoming attached to birds. A hook may be attached to a fish, Mr Yaghmour said, and when a seabird eats the fish, the hook attaches to the bird. 'That's why several time's we've seen birds with the hook in the beak,' he said. One particularly distressing case involved a cormorant found hanging from a tree. The hook had become caught in the animal's oesophagus, the pipe down which food passes, and the line attached to the hook became entangled in a tree. Another bird could not move normally because it had hooks embedded in its beak and a foot, with a line running between them. When the animal moved its head, it pulled its foot, and vice versa. 'We see this often in cases of entanglements – the line is as dangerous as the hook. When they're together it becomes a very potent risk,' Mr Yaghmour said. Mr Yaghmour said fishing gear was hazardous and so should be 'handled responsibly like any other material that can cause harm to people or animals'. 'The call I would give to fishermen – recreational and artisanal – is of course to respect the gear and use it responsibly. Do not use it in areas where it may latch on to substrates and get lost easily,' he said. Ghost fishing gear The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi is developing a programme to deal with marine debris, including large or macro debris and derelict or 'ghost' fishing gear because of their "wider ecosystem impacts". The organisation said it had upgraded its policies to follow "best international practices", particularly those from a well-regarded programme at Hawaii Pacific University. "As a result, we have updated and enhanced our upcoming programme design to incorporate ghost gear tracking as a core component, complementing our broader marine litter and water quality initiatives," the agency said. In the Abu Dhabi emirate, the agency said fishing hooks were used only in handline fishing or Hadaq, which prevents unattended gear from being left in the water. 'While the current risk is minimal, ongoing education and monitoring can ensure best practices are maintained,' it said. 'If handlining practices change, or incorporate baiting methods more attractive to birds, additional measures – weighted lines, bird-scaring devices – could be considered.' The environmental agency said other actions could reduce the risk that fishing hooks posed, including bird-scaring lines to discourage birds from approaching baited hooks, setting lines at night when birds tended to be less active, and adding weights to lines so that they sank out of the reach of foraging birds.
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Sheikha Bodour becomes first honorary professor of UK's University of Leicester
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi has told of her mission to inspire others after receiving the first honorary professorship bestowed by the UK's University of Leicester. , who serves as president of the American University of Sharjah and is part of the emirate's ruling family, was recognised for her efforts to champion women's empowerment and child literacy, and to promote cultural development regionally and across the globe. The title of honorary professor was conferred at a ceremony held at the University of Leicester's School of Business. During her visit she spoke to students and faculty members, and took part in a discussion on museum studies and cultural sector research. 'This recognition from the University of Leicester is deeply meaningful to me,' said Sheikha Bodour. 'In Sharjah, we believe that education is one of the most powerful ways to build cultural bridges and foster mutual understanding. "It is through knowledge, inclusion and service to others that we create lasting impact. I hope this honour encourages others, especially young women, to believe in their ideas, claim their space and lead with purpose.' It is the latest notable achievement in a distinguished career dedicated to improving lives through learning and culture. She is the founder and chief executive of Kalimat Group, which has published more than 500 titles in over 15 countries, with a focus on socially conscious Arabic children's literature and inclusive storytelling. As head of the organisation she has delivered key literacy projects and helped to broaden access to reading resources in 31 countries. She also played a pivotal role in the UAE's accession to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled. She founded the Emirates Publishers' Association in 2009, which gained full membership of International Publishers' Association three years later. In 2020, she became the first woman in the Arab world to be appointed President of the IPA. Sheikha Bodour has also been a driving force behind sharing Sharjah's rich culture with the world. She served as ambassador for the successful Unesco World Heritage site bid for the Faya Palaeolandscape. The ancient desert location in central Sharjah features one of the world's oldest and most uninterrupted records of early human presence, dating back more than 210,000 years. The University of Leicester honour reflects her wider efforts to promote gender equity in higher education, ensuring increased representation of women in leadership roles. She spearheaded the establishment of the 'Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi Chair in Women's Leadership' at the American University of Sharjah, in collaboration with Nama Women Advancement Establishment – the UAE's first endowed chair dedicated to women's leadership and development. Under her leadership, the university has launched six new research centres in artificial intelligence, sustainability, and Arab and Islamic studies, while expanding scholarship support for students with disabilities and those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi conferred University of Leicester's first-ever honorary professorship
Honored for advancing inclusive excellence in higher education and strengthening academic institutions Sharjah: Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of American University of Sharjah (AUS), has been conferred the title of Honorary Professor by the University of Leicester---its first-ever honorary professorship and one of the highest honors it bestows---in recognition of her impactful contributions to women's empowerment, child literacy and cultural development regionally and globally. On July 25, Sheikha Bodour visited the University of Leicester School of Business, where she was formally conferred the title during an official ceremony at the Brookfield Campus. The title was presented by Professor Henrietta O'Connor, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Dan Ladley, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Head of College and Executive Dean of the School of Business. During her visit, Sheikha Bodour engaged with students and faculty and participated in a dedicated discussion on museum studies and cultural sector research, further underscoring her commitment to advancing cross-cultural dialogue and academic collaboration. A global leader in publishing and education, Sheikha Bodour has led transformative efforts to expand access to books, knowledge and inclusive learning. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kalimat Group, which has published more than 500 titles in over 15 countries, with a focus on socially conscious Arabic children's literature and inclusive storytelling. As Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation, she has delivered literacy and accessibility initiatives in 31 countries and played a key role in the UAE's accession to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled. She is also the Founder of the Emirates Publishers Association and the UAE Board on Books for Young People and previously served as President of the International Publishers Association, becoming the first Arab woman and only the second woman in its history to hold the post since 1896. 'This recognition from the University of Leicester is deeply meaningful to me,' said Sheikha Bodour. 'In Sharjah, we believe that education is one of the most powerful ways to build cultural bridges and foster mutual understanding. It is through knowledge, inclusion and service to others that we create lasting impact. I hope this honor encourages others, especially young women, to believe in their ideas, claim their space and lead with purpose.' Professor Dan Ladley, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Head of College and Executive Dean of the School of Business, said: 'The University of Leicester is delighted to welcome Sheikha Bodour to its family. She embodies the values of the University---inclusive, inspiring and impactful---in her commitment to empower others through education, entrepreneurship and publishing, her unequivocal focus on equality and inclusion and her passion for making this world a better place. The first Arab woman to become president of the International Publishers Association and a champion of gender equity in higher education and women in leadership roles, Sheikha Bodour is leading the way for women on a global scale.' In her drive to champion women leadership in publishing, Sheikha Bodour established Publis H er, a global movement advocating for women's leadership in the industry. Since its launch, it has gained remarkable momentum, creating safe, inclusive spaces for women in publishing to connect, collaborate and rise. Complementing this commitment to inclusivity, she also led the International Sustainable Publishing and Industry Resilience initiative, which supported the publishing sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped build more adaptive, future-ready systems across the industry. She also chaired the committee behind Sharjah's designation as UNESCO World Book Capital 2019 and led the establishment of the House of Wisdom, a landmark cultural center fostering knowledge, dialogue and innovation. As Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, she continues to elevate Sharjah's global standing through events such as the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Booksellers Conference and Sharjah Publishing City. Sheikha Bodour has advocated for diversity, freedom to publish, literacy and youth development through platforms including UNESCO's World Book Capital Cities Network and the World Economic Forum, where she became the first Emirati woman to co-chair the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa, and chaired the Regional Business Council for the Middle East and North Africa. Her recognition by the University of Leicester also reflects her broader efforts in promoting equity and academic excellence. Since being appointed President of AUS in 2023, Sheikha Bodour has championed gender equity in higher education, ensuring increased representation of women in leadership roles. She spearheaded the establishment of the 'Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi Chair in Women's Leadership' at AUS, in collaboration with NAMA Women Advancement Establishment---the UAE's first endowed chair dedicated to women's leadership and development. Under her leadership, AUS has launched six new research centers in fields including artificial intelligence, sustainability and Arab and Islamic studies, while expanding scholarship support for students with disabilities and those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Sheikha Bodour's work also extends to entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development. As Chairperson of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), she has supported over 150 startups that have raised $128 million in investment and created more than 1,400 jobs. As Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), she has led strategic projects across sectors including tourism, sustainability, healthcare and the cultural economy. At the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, she oversees a $150 million initiative that has attracted over 2,000 companies and more than $100 million in research investment across renewable energy, agritech, mobility and immersive technologies. Sheikha Bodour holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Science in Medical Anthropology from University College London. Her career continues to blend public service, entrepreneurship and cultural advocacy, reinforcing AUS as a center of research and inclusion while shaping global conversations on education, publishing and leadership. Video Link |
Sharjah 24
5 days ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Ruler meets UKF students in Exeter Programme
His Highness was joined by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah. Words of encouragement and vision During the meeting, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah addressed the students with a heartfelt, parental message, praising their academic efforts and highlighting the significance of their participation in the marine sciences programme. He expressed joy over the fruitful academic partnership and its role in equipping students with crucial knowledge and skills. Emphasising environmental stewardship His Highness stated, 'You represent the pinnacle of scientific research, which we need, especially in the Khorfakkan beaches. We are preserving the environment—trees, mountains, and the sea, which holds unseen treasures and life. There are places yet to be explored, and we urge you to be pioneers.' Advice on building knowledge and confidence Offering personal reflections, His Highness said, 'My advice to you—as a student, I was like you—is to have self-confidence through knowledge. Store it in your mind, not just notebooks. Be active and attentive, even to small details. Study beyond the university to truly understand the world.' Shaping character through engagement His Highness also stressed the importance of adapting one's personality to face all circumstances with resilience. He encouraged students to engage in lectures, seminars, and forums, treating the university as their second home. Development Projects Rooted in Belonging Speaking about Sharjah's development, His Highness added, "Every city I have—God knows—is adorned with colors through projects that enrich it and deepen the sense of connection, belonging, and pride among its people, whether in the fields of education, tourism, society, or the environment. These projects are carefully designed to beautify the city and promote stronger familiarity and engagement among its residents. You can witness Khorfakkan progressing in scientific, intellectual, and social fields. We have Mrs. Fatima Al-Mughni, a vibrant presence since her childhood. When we established the old market in Khorfakkan, she turned it into a gathering place for all visitors, showcasing the city's heritage and history. Likewise, we want you to help elevate your country through your involvement in youth and women's clubs and centres, and through your active engagement with the community." Focus on marine science and research Concluding his speech, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah emphasised scientific research and referenced the Sharjah Marine Research Centre—built at a cost of AED 100 million—as a key facility that will support diving training and marine research, aligning with students' areas of study. Student appreciation and commitment The students expressed their deep gratitude for the generous support and care extended to them by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, as well as his ongoing interest in their academic journey. They reaffirmed their dedication to applying his guidance and following his example in pursuing valuable knowledge and essential skills. They also pledged to engage actively with the community, contributing to its development and striving to raise the profile of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Sharjah in the fields of science and research. About the programme The marine sciences programme, implemented in the UK and joined by 26 students, is a collaboration between University of Khorfakkan and the University of Exeter. It combines academic theory with hands-on training for marine sciences and aquatic biology students, aligning with global academic standards. Practical and theoretical experiences Throughout July, the programme featured lab workshops on environmental data analysis, experimental preparation, and marine organism monitoring. It also included lectures from experts and site visits to significant coastal locations, enriching students' understanding of biodiversity and sustainability. Memorable conclusion His Highness concluded the meeting by taking a commemorative photo with the students and wished them success in their academic journey and a safe return home.
Sharjah 24
23-07-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SSEF honours top orphan students through ‘Taught by the Pen'
The event, sponsored by Palazzo Versace Dubai, was part of the foundation's flagship educational project, Taught by the Pen, which supports the academic development of orphaned students. The event honoured a total of three university graduates from various institutions and specialisations, as well as 19 secondary school graduates who achieved grades above 95%. All students were part of the foundation's program, which continues to support hundreds of young people each year. Empowerment and continued support In her speech, Mona Bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, the foundation's Director General, emphasised the importance of recognising excellence annually, describing it as a symbol of appreciation and motivation. She stated that this celebration strengthens students' confidence and reflects the foundation's mission to empower orphans through education. Removing barriers to education The Director General highlighted that the ceremony is a key outcome of Taught by the Pen, which helps remove educational obstacles facing orphans by offering a supportive learning environment. The project aims to prepare academically qualified students equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful future. Graduates share aspirations and gratitude. Graduates expressed pride in their achievement and shared their ambitions for higher education and future careers. They also conveyed deep gratitude to the foundation for its consistent academic and emotional support throughout their educational journey. Incentives for top achievers As a motivational gesture, Palazzo Versace Dubai awarded hotel stays to the top three secondary school graduates, in recognition of their excellence and to encourage continued success. Honouring supportive institutions The foundation also recognised key partners who contributed to the educational journey, including Palazzo Versace Dubai, the American University of Sharjah, and the Sharjah Teachers Association, for their vital roles in event support and academic enrichment. A comprehensive empowerment initiative "Taught by the Pen" remains one of the foundation's leading programs, providing full academic support—covering tuition, supplies, and psychological assistance—to ensure orphans have the tools and environment needed for success and positive integration into society.
