Galala University Participates in COP27 Activities Highlighting Sustainability and Climate Action

Under the patronage of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Galala University (GU) actively participated in several events and activities during the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, hosted in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in November.

Prof. Dr. Mohamed El-Shinawi, Acting President of GU, explained that the university’s pavilion in the Green Zone welcomed ministers of higher education, health, environment, water resources, culture, and heads of public and private universities, as well as delegations from countries worldwide. The pavilion showcased Galala University’s sustainability strategy, emphasizing practical solutions for conserving natural resources and promoting environmental stewardship.

Visitors praised the students of GU’s Arts, Design, and Architecture programs for designing and constructing the pavilion entirely from recycled materials. They also commended the university’s efforts to raise awareness among students about sustainability, aligning with the Egypt 2030 national plan, and recognized the collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on initiatives such as solar energy implementation.

GU representatives participated in a variety of seminars and panel discussions. Prof. Dr. Mohamed El-Shinawi, in his role as President of the PRIMA Foundation, contributed to an open discussion on the role of sustainable agricultural systems in climate change, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in research and innovation.

Dr. Rana Zeidan, Secretary General of GU, spoke in the session titled “Academia and Climate Change”, emphasizing the university’s efforts to protect its natural environment and the role of international collaborations with Arab and global institutions in implementing sustainability strategies.

Additionally, faculty members participated in discussions addressing the integration of leadership, collaboration, and funding strategies to transform GU into Egypt’s first carbon-neutral university. Presentations included the climate and energy relationship between Egypt and universities in Texas, a session on technology for coral reef preservation and marine biodiversity, and a debate on the role of the private sector in combating climate change.

Through its active engagement in COP27, Galala University reinforces its commitment to sustainable development, climate action, and the education of a generation equipped to tackle global environmental challenges.