Speaking up for the environment

A competition brings to the fore student concerns for Mother Earth. Sara Saleh reports.

The event: The Sixth Inter-College Public Speaking Competition held at the Dubai Knowledge Village. More than 250 students participated from 36 universities and colleges around the UAE and several from the GCC. The latter included Al Ahlia University, Bahrain, Carnegie Mellon University, Qatar, Texas A&M University, Qatar, and American University in Kuwait.

The organisers: It was conducted under the patronage of Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and organised by the Emirates Environmental Group.

The focus: The main aim of the forum was to inspire the youth and give them a platform to convey their views and air their concerns about the environment. The students were able to bridge nationality, language and gender divides as they pro- actively tackled the issues and presented solutions.

Presentations were on:

- The Avian Flu Epidemic: How would it affect Wildlife and Biodiversity?'

- Media - Can it be a Tool of Environmental Awareness and Action?'

- Nuclear Energy - A Viable Source of Power?'

- Building the Desert - Is it Sustainable?'

Criteria for winning:

- Clarity of speech

- Originality of ideas

- Environmental impact

- Solutions and presentation of research evidence

Who took home the trophy?

- The overall winners, Gulf Medical College (GMC) Ajman, stood first for their presentation on Desert Sustainability.

- First runner up: Zayed University Dubai for the Nuclear Energy presentation.

- Second runner up: Preston University Ajman for Avian Flu.

- The winners of the four categories were awarded crystal trophies.

- All teams received certificates of appreciation and engraved crystals.

GMC Ajman has now taken home the trophy for a second year in a row. According to contest rules, the team that wins three times can keep it permanently.

HOW IMPORTANT AND RELEVANT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS?

Winners speak:

"We are in living in a desert environment; we need to be more aware of it. Such competitions help educate ourselves and others. I believe that certain environmental subjects should be made mandatory in order to create direct awareness at a classroom level. We must be environmentally friendly and informed as the torch bearers of tomorrow's society."
- Abdul Zafar Khan Ghori, medicine, Gulf Medical College (GMC) Ajman

"TV ads, stands and campaigns are good for reaching out to people here and to interact with them in an interesting way to create environmental awareness."
- Mohammad Khalfan Echtibi, medicine, GMC, Ajman

"One way to raise awareness is to increase media commercials and make them more attractive to the youth."
- Iman Al Madani, environmental health, Zayed University Dubai

"People know about the environment but are reluctant to act, and we need to do something now or nothing will ever be done. These competitions help spread information on campuses and allow students to put in efforts to know more about it."
- Farah Makany, BBA, Preston University in Ajman

"We must raise awareness so people know how to deal with the environment correctly. The media has an important role in coming up with innovative ways such as commercials, banners and campaigns to target audiences."
- Saadiya Mohammed Rafique, Preston University in Ajman

What other students said:

"We must raise awareness and learn about our environment; this competition allowed university students to come together and share their research. Although we need more, this is a great regional initiative for a start. If you take care of the environment, it takes care of you."
- Norah Al Hilaly, business, American University in Kuwait

"This is an important issue that should be addressed by everyone - all generations can be involved! Competitions like this effectively help spread information so that we can act upon the ideas brought."
- Salma Kayali and Ramzy Ramadan, BA, Carnegie- Mellon University in Qatar

"We certainly need more competitions, volunteering and concerts to help raise awareness at universities."
- Nida Khan, marketing, Skyline College

"Resources are running out and we need to work to spread the message. Holding competitions and trips will make students more environmentally aware."
- Mariam Al Beloushi, business management, Al Ain Women's College

"We have an energy crisis and we must face the danger that it is running out. This is an effective competition especially on the GCC level, but I think it should be held more than just once a year."
- Salin Abbas, BA, American University of Sharjah

"We are facing environmental problems right now and the youth must be aware of this so they can work on it on both a small and large scale. There should be more lectures, seminars and general public awareness involving large groups of students - make it personal."
- Mouza Al Suwaidi, medical imaging & Naqa Al Yousuf, pharmacy, Dubai Women's College