Tribune News Network
Doha
The College of Business and Economics at Qatar University (QU) has unveiled the first regional edition of the MENA Business Schools Alliance for Sustainability (MEBAS) Sustainability Competition, an educational simulation challenge designed to foster an understanding of sustainability through interactive applied learning.
This challenge allows students to balance profitability and efficiency for the company with conservation of resources and the environment.
The innovative competition brought together student teams from across the MENA region to share practical strategies for sustainable business practices under the theme ‘Promoting Sustainability through Play and Learning’.
The competition, the first of its kind in the region, focused on integrating academic knowledge with real-life business scenarios to promote sustainability and ethical leadership among future business leaders.
The event saw the participation of 10 university teams from across the Middle East, including prestigious institutions such as ESCA College of Management in Morocco, King Talal School of Business Technology, Princess Sumaya University for Technology in Jordan, American University of Beirut in Lebanon, and both King Saud University and Prince Sultan University from Saudi Arabia.
In addition, the UAE contributed three teams from Ajman University’s College of Business Administration, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)’s College of Business and Economics, the University of Dubai, and the College of Business Administration at Kuwait University, along with Qatar University hosting and participating in the event.
Prof Rana Sobh, dean of the College of Business and Economics at QU and chair of MEBAS, said: “The launch of the Regional Sustainability Competition is an important step in the journey of promoting sustainability in the region, and we at QU’s College of Business and Economics are proud to have played our part in guiding this inspiring effort that reflects students’ engagement with the competition and their serious desire to achieve a positive change in society; channelling their ideas towards sustainable solutions and leading business ethically represents an important foundation for building a better future.”
Dr. Hani Kamel, associate professor at the College of Business and Economics at QU, stated, “We are thrilled to launch this initiative, which not only challenges students to think critically about sustainability but also to implement these concepts in simulated business environments.
“The initiative’s main areas of focus include education, research and connecting students and academics with the business community. We aim to increase awareness and engagement among our students, whom we see as the future leaders of our region, equipping them with the skills and experiences needed to enter a new job market.”
The Regional Sustainability Simulation Competition extends beyond mere competition aims to create a network among students, helping them to build relationships and share ideas, thereby fostering a community of future leaders who are well-versed in balancing profitability with environmental stewardship.
Dr Nouf Al Magoushi, associate chair of the Management Department at Prince Sultan University, said: “The competition plays a crucial role in broadening students’ horizons and enhancing their networking capabilities, in addition to a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability and environmental conservation. These are pivotal issues that concern all sectors, whether educational, governmental or private.”
The winning teams were honoured, with Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics winning first place, Prince Sultan University from Saudi Arabia’s College of Business Administration winning second place and the American University of Beirut’s Suliman S. Olayan School of Business winning third place.
