University of Dubai Achieves Global Net-Zero Campus Milestone: Second Worldwide to Reach Carbon Neutrality
In an exclusive interview at GITEX Global 2024, Dr. Eesa Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai and Honorary Chair of IEEE UAE, revealed the institution’s remarkable achievement as the world’s second net-zero energy campus, marking a significant milestone in global sustainable education infrastructure.
Pioneering Net-Zero Campus Achievement
In a groundbreaking development for sustainable education, the University of Dubai has distinguished itself as the second institution globally to achieve net-zero energy status. “Our facility is not just digital and green—it’s LEED-certified with zero carbon footprint,” announces Dr. Bastaki. The campus has implemented an innovative battery-free system operating at 90 degrees, with excess power being fed back to the city’s power grid, establishing a new benchmark in sustainable energy management.
Innovative Solar Power Integration
Supporting this net-zero achievement, the university operates an extensive solar farm generating 3.5 gigawatts of power, with plans to expand to 5 gigawatts. This substantial power generation capability serves the campus’s needs and contributes clean energy to Dubai’s power infrastructure, demonstrating the practical viability of large-scale sustainable energy solutions.
Triple Helix: Enabling Sustainable Success
“The collaboration between government, industry, and academia is not just beneficial—it’s essential,” emphasizes Dr. Bastaki, explaining the framework that enabled this achievement. The University of Dubai’s success builds on strategic partnerships with government entities like the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre and industry leaders like Huawei.
Technology as the Climate Change Mitigator
“Technology is the cornerstone of our fight against climate change,” Dr. Bastaki asserts. Integrating advanced solutions in the net-zero campus demonstrates how technological innovation can revolutionize power generation efficiency and reduce fossil fuel dependency, which is crucial for the UAE’s sustainable development goals.
Fostering Engineering Talent
The World Green Economy Organization Academy and Youth Platform, chaired by Dr. Bastaki, leverages this achievement to inspire the next generation of engineers and technology innovators. “We need graduates who will lead the development and drive our country toward a sustainable future,” he explains, using the net-zero campus as a living laboratory for sustainable engineering education.
Future Prospects for Innovation
The interview reveals how the University of Dubai’s net-zero campus serves as a model for future educational institutions. Dr. Bastaki’s insights suggest that this successful sustainable technology implementation could serve as a blueprint for similar regional initiatives.
The University of Dubai’s achievement as a net-zero energy campus represents more than just an institutional success—it demonstrates the viable future of sustainable education infrastructure. Through this pioneering initiative, the university is setting new global environmental responsibility standards in higher education.
