IBM Collaborates with the University of Sharjah to Advance Sustainable Water Solutions
Ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28, IBM announced its latest investments to enhance environmental sustainability through a partnership with the University of Sharjah.
This collaboration involves providing sustainable water solutions, which will be expanded through IBM’s sustainability program to benefit local communities across the United Arab Emirates.
Additionally, the University of Sharjah will construct a model and implement monitoring and prediction for water accessibility conditions in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Shukri Eid, General Manager of IBM in the Gulf, Levant, and Pakistan, stated, “We affirm our commitment to work through our partnership with the University of Sharjah, empowering communities, fostering innovation, and addressing the urgent need for green and technological skills.
Together, we are not only adapting to climate change but shaping a more flexible and sustainable future.”
Dr. Adewale Gbenga, Assistant Professor in Chemical and Analytical Water Engineering at the University of Sharjah, added, “The University of Sharjah takes pride in its partnership with IBM in developing solutions for pressing environmental challenges faced by communities.
Through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program, we aim to monitor and predict water access conditions in the region, providing vital support to communities with limited freshwater resources.” He further stated, “This collaboration reflects our commitment to leveraging technology to improve society and make a lasting impact in addressing climate change.”
IBM is intensifying its commitment to sustainable innovation through projects focusing on water management solutions as part of its global social impact program, IBM Sustainability Accelerator.
The 2023 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6) highlighted that 3.3 billion people live in areas vulnerable to significant climate change impacts.
With IBM’s commitment to providing $30 million worth of technology and consulting services by the end of 2025, the program is adding five new projects focusing on water management, featuring IBM’s proprietary technologies such as WatsonX and an ecosystem of experts.
A new study by IBM and Morning Consult underscores a growing skills gap in the sustainability field, posing a threat to the workforce across industries. In the United Arab Emirates, 64% of surveyed business leaders expect to prioritize sustainability skills standards in their hiring over the next two years, with 79% expecting to invest in sustainability training in the coming year.
To help build the talent pipeline in sustainability, IBM SkillsBuild offers free training that connects advanced technologies with the environment and climate change. Through AI-supported recommendations available to each learner, these interdisciplinary courses connect topics such as environment and biodiversity with technology training in artificial intelligence and data analytics.
This comprehensive curriculum aims to equip the next generation of leaders with the necessary skills for the green economy.
Learners can benefit from the comprehensive environmental technology training journey provided by IBM SkillsBuild, with digital credentialing available at each step along the way:
Introductory courses will help create a foundation for understanding the link between sustainability and technology.
Intermediate-level offerings in design thinking and green entrepreneurship will encourage learners to develop their skills.
Advanced courses will require learners to apply their skills to sustainability topics through artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the preparation of environmental, social, and governance reports.
These offerings align with IBM’s commitment to developing the skills of 30 million people by 2030. Through collaboration across social services, economic development, professional organizations, as well as governmental agencies and universities, IBM SkillsBuild enables widespread free online learning.
This includes organizations that will assist women in acquiring skills, including returning mothers to the workforce, ethnic minorities, individuals with low incomes, and refugees.
