DuPont, one of the leading market-driven science products and services companies, recently launched an initiative to encourage UAE students to generate ideas and develop innovative solutions to address prevailing global environmental challenges.

The DuPont Bright Ideas Eco Challenge (DBIEC) is a science-based competition for university students in the UAE, organised in collaboration with Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), a professional working group devoted to protecting the environment and ALHOSN University, a leading private university.

This competition is a part of The DuPont Community Fund (DCF), which has been established to improve the quality of life and enhance the vitality of communities in which DuPont operates.

The DBIEC competition underlines global efforts to protect the environment and preserve its natural resources. This initiative also supports the UAE Government’s drive towards green-based programs and innovations in different sectors to foster long-term sustainable development.

The competition aims to enhance youth awareness on environmental issues and solutions including energy efficiency, recycling, green initiatives, eco-friendly concepts and other innovations to aid global environmental campaign.

"Environmental stewardship is one of our core values that underpin our vision at DuPont,” said Hartmut Reinke, director, Turkey, Middle East & Africa, DuPont.

“DuPont's Bright Ideas Eco Challenge offers UAE university students the opportunity to become agents of change. We want them to think of ways to preserve of our environment and the community we live in,” he added.

DBIEC is open to expatriate or UAE National individuals or groups of students who are currently enrolled in any UAE university.

The competition opened on March 11, and will run until April 29, and will include one category that encompasses either ideas or implemented initiatives.

Three prizes – first prize Dh25,000 ($6,807), second prize Dh18,000 and third prize Dh10,000 – will be awarded to the winners at an official ceremony scheduled later in the year at ALHOSN University in Abu Dhabi.

“Environmental awareness should be encouraged at a young age so that tomorrow’s decision makers and industry leaders have a strong sense of responsibility towards the planet,” said Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson, EEG.

Dr Hamdi Sheibani, provost and dean of the faculty of engineering and applied sciences, ALHOSN University, said: “This competition sends out a very positive message that the youth can and should make a difference, not only for their communities but for the whole world as well.”

“We would not be surprised if we eventually see one or more of the winning entries to the Bright Ideas Eco Challenge being implemented on a national, regional or even global scale,” Dr Sheibani added. – TradeArabia News Service