President of UDST, Dr. Salem Al-Naemi (right) and Vice Chairman, Executive Committee at Mannai Energy Khalid Ahmad Al-Mannai during the MoU signing, yesterday. Pic: Rajan Vadakkemuriyil/ The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has unveiled a new plan aimed at reaching carbon neutrality by 2030, reinforcing its dedication to advancing environmental sustainability and aligning with national goals for ecological protection and long-term development.
The University has strengthened its strategic collaborations through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Mannai Energy, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and fostering the development of sustainable infrastructure.
In line with this approach, President of UDST, Dr. Salem Al-Naemi, stated: “Achieving carbon neutrality is one of our key strategic priorities. We are committed to integrating sustainability principles across all our academic and operational activities, reflecting our role as a leading applied university preparing a generation capable of developing sustainable solutions.”
He noted, “Collaborating with industry partners such as Mannai Energy is essential to accelerating this transition, enabling us to translate our ambitions into tangible, real-world impact.”
Vice Chairman, Executive Committee at Mannai Energy, Khalid Ahmad Al-Mannai, said, “Mannai Energy is proud to support UDST on its Net Zero journey. This collaboration aligns with our focus on enabling low‑carbon energy solutions and supporting institutions in developing practical, future‑ready decarbonization strategies. Together, we aim to contribute to Qatar’s broader sustainability and energy transition goals.”
Officials stressed that the partnership focuses on creating a clear, time-bound roadmap to carbon neutrality with measurable targets, while assessing campus energy use and emissions, improving building efficiency, exploring solar energy options, and advancing sustainable mobility, including EV charging and fleet electrification.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Abey Rajan, General Manager at Mannai Energy, said, “Students and researchers will be actively involved in these initiatives, in line with the University’s vision.
“Projects such as energy management systems will generate valuable data for analysis, giving them practical exposure to areas like building automation, IoT technologies, and smart energy solutions,” Rajan added.
UDST is implementing a comprehensive strategy that prioritises improved energy efficiency, greater adoption of renewable energy, and the development of sustainable mobility options, alongside fostering environmental awareness across its students, faculty, and staff.
Officials explained that the university is committed to fostering a culture of sustainability across its academic and administrative community, delivering awareness programs, workshops, and educational initiatives that empower students, faculty, and staff to actively support the Sustainable Development Goals.
In a statement, UDST said, “Through these initiatives, the University reaffirms its commitment to Qatar National Vision 2030 and strengthens its role as a key driver of innovation and sustainability by translating national ambitions into applied practices across its campus, while preparing a generation capable of leading sustainable transformation from Qatar to the world.”
Through this partnership, the university seeks to reinforce its role as a “living applied platform” for sustainability by turning its campus into an integrated model for clean energy, connecting applied education with real-world implementation.
