Qatar University officials during the National Environment Day celebrations.
Doha: Qatar University’s Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences (QU) celebrated National Environment Day.
The celebration featured a variety of activities and events that were attended by QU students and faculty as well as students of several secondary schools in Qatar.
The celebration was intended to educate students about ecosystems and to motivate the younger generation towards a greater responsibility for their environment and habitats.
Prof Ahmed Elzatahry is the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Khlifa Hazaa, Associate Dean for Sciences and Applied Sciences Sector, and Professor Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh are Heads of the Biological and Environmental Sciences Department. They also participated in distribution of tree seedlings.
A series of activities were organized, including a lecture from Ahmed ElGharib, Quranic Botanical Garden Director, and a lecture about the initiative to plant one-million trees in Qatar by Mohammed Ali Al Khoori (Director of Public Parks Department, Ministry of Municipality).
Students were given plant seedlings free of charge to participate in the “Plant a Million Trees” initiative. All QU students are invited and encouraged to participate in two environmental competitions. One is about the best picture of Qatari plants, the other is about the best environmental article about Qatari plants.
Prof Ahmed Elzatahry spoke at the event’s sidelines and confirmed that the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences was celebrating this occasion on behalf of University.
He stated that the university places sustainability at the heart of its academic programmes and is a priority in scientific research.
The four pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030 include environment. This celebration is part Qatar University’s long-term commitment towards promoting sustainability and environmental conservation for the benefit society.
Dr. Khalifa Hazaa, Assistant Dean of Science and Applied Sciences Sector, stated that QU with its scientific and environmentally-related research is one of the most important tributaries for protecting and serving the environment.
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Abu-Dieyeh – Head of Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences emphasized the importance of the event in educating students on Qatar’s environment and more specifically, about its biodiversity. Nearly 400 species are found in Qatar. This is not a natural resource, but a treasure that must always be preserved.
To understand the biology, environment, uses, and potentials of these plants, researchers must put in a lot of effort. One of the most important plants in Qatar is the mangrove, which can only survive in salt water. It is now well-known that this plant is important for fisheries and the ecosystem as a whole.
There are three types, all of which are flowering plants. They are home to more than 600 species marine animals. There are approximately 400 species of plants in the terrestrial portion that can survive in difficult environments like drought, salinity, and poor soil. However, they live, reproduce, and resist these conditions. These plants have survived for thousands of years and are the foundation for ecosystems.
From here, I believe it is a hoarder of different genetic material that requires special care. Not only that, but this genetic treasure also carries inside its tissues and around the roots another treasure of microbes. These microbes have many technological uses that are most important in agricultural applications.
Dr. Abu-Dieyeh explained that we have started to investigate these microbes in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and investigated their various benefits.
He said that the celebration was being held in collaboration with the Quranic Botanical Garden of Qatar Foundation and the Ministry of Municipality’s Public Parks Department. One million trees being planted in Qatar is a significant step in restoring environmental habitats, reducing carbon emissions, and limiting soil contamination with toxic hydrocarbons.
Dr. Abu-Dieyeh stressed that the department will continue to work with the Ministry of Municipality and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in planning several joint campaigns and activities related to activating the Qatar initiative to plant one-million trees in Qatar. He also mentioned the involvement of graduate students and faculty in biodiversity research and sustainability.