DOHA: The Qatar University (QU) organised the first regional edition of the MENA Business Schools Alliance for Sustainability (MEBAS) Sustainability Competition.
In a statement on Wednesday, QU indicated that the competition represented an educational simulation challenge designed to foster an understanding of sustainability through interactive applied learning. This challenge allows students to balance profitability and efficiency for the company with the conservation of resources and the environment.
QU noted that this innovative competition brought together student teams from across the MENA region to share practical strategies for sustainable business practices under the theme "Promoting Sustainability through Play and Learning." The competition, the first of its kind in the region, focused on integrating academic knowledge with real-life business scenarios to promote sustainability and ethical leadership among future business leaders.
Dean of the College of Business and Economics at QU and Chair of MEBAS Prof Dr Rana Sobh said: "The launch of the Regional Sustainability Competition is an important step in the journey of promoting sustainability in the region, and we at QU's College of Business and Economics are proud to have played our part in guiding this inspiring effort that reflects students' engagement with the competition and their serious desire to achieve a positive change in society."
Associate Professor at the College of Business and Economics at QU Dr Hani Kamel said: "The initiative's main areas of focus include education, research, and connecting students and academics with the business community. We aim to increase awareness and engagement among our students, whom we see as the future leaders of our region, equipping them with the skills and experiences needed to enter a new job market."
For her part, Associate Chair of the Management Department at Prince Sultan University Dr Nouf Al Magoushi said: "The competition plays a crucial role in broadening students' horizons and enhancing their networking capabilities, in addition to a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability and environmental conservation."
"Such experiences significantly contribute to preparing students for a successful professional future. It also provides them the opportunity to meet students from other universities, thereby enriching their educational experience and making it more comprehensive and interactive," she added.
The winning teams were honoured, with Qatar University's College of Business and Economics winning first place, Prince Sultan University from Saudi Arabia's College of Business Administration winning second place, and the American University of Beirut's Suliman S Olayan School of Business winning third place.
The event saw the participation of ten university teams from across the Middle East, including prestigious institutions, along with QU's team hosting and participating in it.