University Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Effat University formally adopted a support for Sustainability that recognized the University's public responsibility to take a leadership role in developing solutions that improve the quality of life for all—both today and in the future. Compliance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a central part of Effat University institutional goals of its strategic plans since 2012, an area of research, a key learning outcome for its students as well as a social responsibility and a commitment to having a positive environmental impact.
From groundbreaking research to unique recycling options, Effat University has taken so many forward steps in the responsibility of having a sustainable campus. Under the leadership of the President, Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, and supported by the Institutional Committee for Handling Sustainable Development Goals, the University's commitment to sustainability is visible in classrooms, research laboratories, green areas, smart buildings and everywhere across campus.
Effat University is commited to achieving net-zero emmesions by 2026 aligned to the Saudi Green Initiative and its target for reducing carbon emissions .
Effat University and the 17th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
All Effat University programs has core courses and electives that ensure that all students are well aware of their responsibility towards local and global sustainability. Effat University is proud that it has a Master degree in Energy Engineering whose main concern is graduating professionals that are meant to be change agents in providing future sustainable energy solutions, thus supporting the Saudi Vision 2030 as well as a dire world-wide need in this aspect.
Effat University also aims to have a valuable social impact by having a governance system that sustains equality, diversity and inclusion among students and its workforce and establishing academic, community and industry partnerships that aim at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University also has a mission of contributing to graduating citizens that are ethically aware of their civic responsibility in eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, and supporting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Effat University is also committed to minimizing its environmental impact on future generations. Thus, it has in place several rules and regulations to define measures for a balanced consumption of natural resources and minimize environmental impact of pollutants. Besides energy and water conservation programs and a recycling project, in 2013 the University inaugurated a regional first-of-its-kind Smart Building Research Center (SB). It investigates energy-efficient buildings that adapt to the users and environment for providing comfort, safety and security. They focus on real-time optimization of energy consumption in buildings, taking into account user needs and expectations, as well as the characteristics of the building design. The Center's Water and Energy Research Group is an interdisciplinary one that applies systems-analysis techniques to create a sustainable infrastructure and investigates solutions for finding clean water for future use.
