Greenpeace MENA, Ajman University, and UAE Universities Climate Network Announce Winners of the ‘Wellbeing Economy Award’
Greenpeace MENA, in partnership with Ajman University and the UAE Universities Climate Network, has announced the prestigious Wellbeing Economy Award winners. The initiative celebrates young researchers and visionaries who are pioneering innovative approaches to sustainability and contributing to the development of a well-being-centered economy in the UAE and the Gulf region.
Under the theme “The Future is Sustainable,” the award ceremony highlighted outstanding academic contributions that transcend traditional economic metrics, focusing instead on inclusive development, environmental responsibility, and social equity. The event showcased actionable research and ideas that align with the UAE’s broader sustainability goals and its commitment to shaping global policy dialogues.
Ghiwa Nakat, Executive Director of Greenpeace MENA, emphasized the broader significance of the initiative:
“The UAE Wellbeing Economy Award is more than a celebration of groundbreaking research. It’s a call to action—encouraging a shift from growth-centered economic models to frameworks that prioritize social wellbeing, environmental sustainability, and equity. The UAE is setting a global example in fostering this paradigm shift.”
She further stressed the importance of collaboration, saying,
“By partnering with academic institutions and engaging with multi-stakeholder partners, we are laying the foundation for an economy that values both people and the planet.”
Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, echoed the commitment to sustainability and innovation:
“Ajman University is proud to contribute to building equitable communities where sustainability is at the core of economic and social development. This award empowers our students and researchers to take meaningful steps toward sustainable transformation.”
Engineer Nawal Alhanaee, Director of the Future Energy Department at the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, received the Best Government Project Award for her research “Building a Sustainable Wellbeing Economy: The UAE’s Path to a Resilient Future through Energy Transition.”
The top honors in the research category were awarded to:
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First Place: Bayan Alradi and Dr. Samer H. Zyoud from Ajman University for their study on “Empowering the UAE’s Renewable Energy Future with High-Efficiency CZTS Solar Cells.”
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Second Place: Dr. Mohammed Elseidi from Umm Al Quwain University for “Constructing and Forecasting a Hybrid Well-Being Index for the UAE: A Data-Driven vs. Equal-Weight Approach.”
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Third Place: Najla Almatrooshi and Nicole Weber from Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi for “Desert Bloom Economies: Reimagining Gulf Wellbeing through Biomimicry, Non-Anthropocentric Ethics, and Post-Rentier Narratives.”
Maya Haddad, Head of Operations at the UAE Universities Climate Network, remarked,
“This award marks a pivotal step in bridging academia and environmental stewardship. The presented research demonstrates the passion and innovation of our youth in building a sustainable future.”
The Wellbeing Economy Award promotes cross-sectoral collaboration and knowledge exchange to tackle global sustainability challenges. It reinforces the UAE’s leadership in developing economic models that prioritize human and environmental wellbeing, setting a precedent for a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future.
