Middlesex University Dubai: Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education
- Thursday, 29 May 2025
Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai has reaffirmed its global commitment to sustainability by submitting its latest Communication on Engagement Report (2023–2025) to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). As the first university in Dubai and the second in the UAE to join the UNGC, the institution continues to champion sustainability in higher education, industry collaboration, and community engagement.
At the heart of this mission is the university’s Institute of Sustainable Development (ISD), a dedicated centre driving campus-wide initiatives, corporate training, and impactful research. The ISD plays a key role in embedding environmental and social governance across all areas of the university’s work.
In recognition of its efforts, MDX Dubai was awarded the UAE Year of Sustainability Seal, highlighting its integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into academic programmes, its circular economy initiatives, and its leadership in sustainability education.
Education for a Sustainable Future
The university has fully integrated sustainability into all academic programmes, aligning with SDG 4: Quality Education. Students graduate with the knowledge and tools to become the next generation of sustainability leaders, equipped to address pressing global challenges.
Further advancing SDG 5: Gender Equality, the university supports female empowerment through initiatives like the Tamkeen Mentoring Programme, Women in Mentoring (WIM), and the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), promoting leadership in Law, STEM, and Business.
Driving Climate Action and Innovation
MDX Dubai continues to lead on SDG 13: Climate Action, notably co-hosting Climate Law & Governance Day 2023 with the University of Cambridge and UNFCCC COP28, contributing to global dialogue on climate policy and legal reform.
Sustainability is also woven into student and faculty projects promoting SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Initiatives such as the Simply Bottles programme have prevented over 400,000 PET plastic bottles from entering landfills, while the Fashion Department’s upcycling projects turn waste into sustainable design.
Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships
Student-led societies like the Green Wave Society and the Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation Club foster a culture of environmental stewardship on campus. At the same time, industry collaborations are extending the university’s impact far beyond its walls.
Through partnerships with DHL, MDX Dubai provides ESG-focused training across 16 countries in the Middle East and Africa, supporting sustainable business practices and contributing to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. A joint initiative with Enviroserve has brought comprehensive recycling solutions to campus, enabling responsible disposal of plastics, paper, e-waste, glass, and cans, advancing the UN’s 2030 goal of 100% resource recovery.
The university also supports SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation through initiatives like No More Bottles, reducing single-use plastics and promoting water conservation. Meanwhile, research projects and outreach contribute to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land. Notable efforts include marine conservation with Emirates Park Zoo and student research on turtle populations in the UAE.
A Holistic Commitment to the SDGs
MDX Dubai’s sustainability vision is not limited to education, it is a core principle that shapes the university’s identity, governance, and partnerships. With strong institutional leadership, transparent ethical practices, and community-driven innovation, the university continues to model what higher education can achieve in pursuit of a more sustainable, inclusive future.
We invite fellow educators, industry leaders, and policymakers to join us in fostering a more sustainable, equitable future. Read the report in full.
