The Arabian Gulf University (AGU) has celebrated the graduation of 36 waste‑management specialists from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in its fourth cohort of the Professional Diploma in Waste Management programme. The ceremony, held at the Princess Al Jawhara bint Ibrahim Al Ibrahim Centre for Molecular Medicine, Genetics and Inherited Disorders, brought the total number of diploma alumni to 91 since the programme’s launch in 2021. 

In conjunction with the graduation, AGU announced the establishment of the Gulf Resource and Waste Management Network, an expert platform comprising all diploma graduates and other practitioners. The network aims to foster experience‑sharing, collaborative projects and joint activities among stakeholders, thereby advancing sustainable waste and resource management throughout the GCC.  

Dr Abdulrahman Yousif, Vice President for Support Services and Institutional Affairs at AGU, delivering remarks on behalf of President Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, emphasised the University’s commitment to providing professional programmes that meet the region’s developmental needs and address critical skills gaps. 

He said: “This diploma has recorded growing enrolment year‑on‑year from vital sectors – including health, industry, municipalities, education and investment – underscoring heightened environmental awareness and the demand for innovative, sustainable solutions.” 

Dr Yousif added that AGU remains dedicated to supporting the United Nations’ 2030 and 2060 Sustainable Development Goals by promoting initiatives that strengthen stakeholder collaboration and academic innovation, in line with GCC leadership visions. He described the Waste Management Diploma as “a living example of AGU’s pivotal role in disseminating knowledge, developing Gulf‑born competencies and driving integrated environmental and economic sustainability”.  

For her part, Dr Sumaya Yousif, Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering and Programme Coordinator, noted that this is the region’s first professional diploma in waste management to be accredited by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) in the UK and directly supported by the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) West Asia Office. The part‑time diploma combines face‑to‑face and virtual evening classes, making it ideally suited to working professionals.  

Since its inception, the programme has attracted keen interest from municipal, industrial, healthcare, educational, academic and investment sectors, reflecting its relevance to the GCC’s sustainable development agenda. Dr Sumaya Yousif highlighted that the initiative aligns with AGU’s strategic vision as a leading Gulf‑region university, continually developing specialised academic and professional offerings to meet evolving challenges and global standards.  

Mr Iyngararasan, Regional Coordinator for Chemicals and Waste at the UNEP East Asia Office, addressed the graduates via videolink, stressing the importance of regional and international collaboration to curb chemical pollution and promote sustainable environmental practices. 

He added: “Our priority at UNEP is to provide leadership and forge partnerships in intelligent, effective waste management, empowering West Asian nations to improve quality of life while safeguarding the rights of future generations.” 

Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr Abdulwahed Fraysh, Executive Director for Communications and Awareness at Abu Dhabi’s waste‑management operator Tadweer, praised the diploma for uniting GCC specialists in a comprehensive programme that enhances knowledge exchange. 

He further commented: “Initiatives such as this significantly advance the sector, elevating waste‑management practices across the region in line with leading international examples.” 

He expressed pride in the new graduates, describing them as a promising cadre poised to effect real change in their communities and underscoring AGU’s steadfast commitment to sustainability.  

Dr Afaf Bugawa, Director of the AGU Centre for Community Service, Consultancy, Training and Continuing Education, affirmed that the professional diploma reflects AGU’s ongoing dedication to cultivating national talent equipped to innovate and contribute to the Gulf States’ future. She reiterated the Centre’s resolve to deliver specialised programmes that satisfy the GCC labour market’s needs and support the 2030 Sustainable Development Vision.  

Prior to the graduation ceremony, AGU hosted its inaugural Alumni Forum. The graduates engaged in five thematic sessions, discussing the role of youth in GCC sustainability, challenges and opportunities in sustainable resource and waste management, alumni contributions to waste‑management improvements and environmental awareness, community partnerships and youth engagement in investment and development and the role of innovation and technology in sustainable waste management.