Gulf Medical University (GMU) supports Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water by fostering environmental awareness, responsible water management, and sustainable behavior across its community. While GMU’s inland location limits direct interaction with marine ecosystems, the University contributes indirectly through educational, operational, and community initiatives that emphasize the protection of water resources, pollution prevention, and sustainability consciousness.

1. Awareness and Education

World Water Day 2025 – “Glacier Preservation” (22 April 2025)Gulf Medical University proudly celebrated World Water Day 2025 with enthusiastic participation from all six colleges, united around this year’s theme — “Glacier Preservation.” The event emphasized the vital role of glaciers in sustaining life by providing essential meltwater for drinking, agriculture, and clean-energy production.Students and faculty from the College of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Sciences, and Thumbay College of Management and AI in Healthcare contributed interactive exhibitions, poster sessions, and student-led discussions focused on protecting glaciers, combating climate change, and securing water for future generations.The celebration reaffirmed GMU’s commitment to promoting environmental awareness, sustainability education, and global responsibility.

GMU Sustainability Activity DayThe University organized a Sustainability Activity Day to strengthen student engagement in climate action and responsible consumption. Activities included campus-wide campaigns on recycling, resource conservation, and reduction of single-use plastics — highlighting the indirect impact of waste management on marine and coastal environments.

UAE Club “Couch Talk” on SustainabilityThe student-led UAE Club hosted a Couch Talk discussion featuring speakers from Ajman Municipality, focusing on sustainability and environmental stewardship in the Emirate. The dialogue emphasized community participation in reducing pollution and protecting local ecosystems, aligning with national sustainability goals.

2. Sustainable Campus Operations

Through the Sustainable Resource Management Policy (GMU-POL-S07-017), GMU enforces environmentally responsible operational practices:

• Grey-water recycling for landscape irrigation and flushing.

• Water-efficient fixtures and leak-detection programs to reduce water waste.

• Zero Plastic Campaign (2025) eliminating single-use plastics in campus canteens and events.

• Proper segregation and disposal of waste to prevent contaminants from reaching water systems.

These measures align GMU’s daily operations with the protection of aquatic ecosystems and the broader SDG 14 objectives.

3. Education Integration and Research Awareness

Courses in Environmental and Public Health incorporate modules on water quality, pollution prevention, and the health impacts of contaminated aquatic systems. Student assignments and projects explore the connection between sustainable water use, human well-being, and marine ecosystem protection.

Conclusion

Through impactful awareness programs, sustainable campus operations, and integration of environmental responsibility in education, Gulf Medical University actively supports SDG 14 – Life Below Water. The University continues to nurture environmentally responsible graduates who understand the interdependence between human health, water conservation, and marine ecosystem sustainability.