HCT and CERT Showcases Sustainability-centered Initiatives & Student Projects at WETEX-Dubai Solar Show 2022

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) showcased students’ innovative, environmental sustainability-oriented projects, as part of its participation as an exhibitor at the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition 2022 (WETEX) & Dubai Solar Show, organized by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

HCT also highlighted its achievements and initiatives in support of sustainability, including the strategic projects for reducing energy consumption & carbon emissions, improving efficiency of water use and its Green Building Initiative. It also featured the local, regional and global awards it has received in recognition for its sustainable practices in its education and work environment.

The Centre of Excellence for Applied Research & Training (CERT), HCT’s training and commercial arm, joined HCT’s WETEX stand to showcase its specialized training and professional development programs, as well as its employer offerings for specialized employee training. CERT also highlighted its role as a specialist provider of advisory services, development solutions and applied research.

Mr. Jasim Alhammadi, HCT Chief Operating Officer, said HCT is keen to participate in WETEX so as to highlight its role as a higher education institution in the key national strategic fields of water, energy and environment. He added that HCT strives to provide its students with access to state-of-the-art technologies in energy, environment and sustainability and facilitate students’ networking with leading companies and organizations operating in green development.

With HCT attributing great importance to sustainability, Mr. Alhammadi said HCT’s presence at WETEX would be an avenue for students to offer their innovative ideas and solutions related to the energy, water and environment sectors.

Mr. Alhammadi noted HCT has received many international awards, including the Green World Award 2021 for sustainability in education and training and the Green World Champion of Champions Award 2022, in recognition of its outstanding sustainability oriented actions and achievements. In addition, HCT is the first Higher Education Institution in the world to achieve a 5-Star rating in the QS Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) category.

HCT’s institutional, sustainability initiatives include faculty and staff training programs; sustainability-focused applied research and student projects; and embedding sustainability concepts into its curriculum, such as Sustainable and Social Design, Renewable Energy Systems, Introduction to Sustainability and Environmental Engineering, which have benefited thousands of HCT students.

HCT- Abu Dhabi Men’s Chemical Engineering students, Hareb Al Rumaithi, Abdulrahman Al Kathiri and Khaled Al Menhali, displayed their project “Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater Using Egg Shells”. The innovative project uses the adsorbent, bio-material extracted from waste egg shells to remove heavy metals in waste water. Initial results from the project showed that 97% of nickel was removed from wastewater during a 45-minute cycle.