DUBAI: The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) proudly celebrated for the 1st time the “Art From Waste” Competition winners, a resounding success that saw the enthusiastic participation of over 300 students from 50 schools in 102 projects across the UAE, including institutions catering to students with special needs.
To honour the exceptional achievers, EEG hosted a dedicated awards ceremony on June 5, 2024, at Dubai Knowledge Park. The ceremony showcased the remarkable projects of winning schools, each topic carrying a powerful environmental message.
Mrs. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of EEG, extended a warm welcome to students, teachers, media and esteemed guests at the ceremony. She expressed her delight at the diverse representation of educational institutions and underscored the high calibre of participation witnessed in this year’s competition.
She said in her opening address, that “The annual Art from Waste Competition, a flagship initiative of EEG, stands as a testament to our commitment to environmental education and stewardship. Through this innovative platform, students gain invaluable insights into the impact of their choices on the environment, nurturing a deeper understanding of environmental issues and fostering the development of essential skills to address them”.
This year’s competition centered around 3 compelling projects tailored to different age groups:
- “Table Lamp” for students aged between 9 to 11 years.
- “Robot” for students aged between 12 to 14 years.
- “Garden Furniture” for students aged between 15 to 17 years.
Reflecting on the significance of the Art from Waste Competition, Mrs. Al Mar’ashi further emphasized its role in challenging perceptions and inspiring action towards sustainable waste management. She highlighted the transformative power of art in sparking conversations and driving positive change, urging everyone to rethink their approach to waste.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Al Mar’ashi extended heartfelt gratitude to Accenture who was the supporting entity for this competition.
The judging panel comprised distinguished professionals from the artistic community:
- Dr. Najat Makki, Visual Artist
- Mr. Ahmed Ashry, Art Teacher
- Mr. Mahfuz Rahman, Corporate Artist
- Mrs. Nahida Beshara, Fine Art Teacher
The winners of EEG’s Art from Waste Competition 2024 were:
| Category | Position | Schools |
| Students of Determination | Winner | Al Noor Training Centre, Dubai |
| 1st Runner Up | Springdales School Dubai, Dubai |
| Category | Position | Schools |
| Table Lamp | Winner | Rumaitha Al Ansariyah – Cycle 1, Fujairah |
| 1st Runner Up | Ethen School – Cycle 1, RAK | |
| 1st Runner Up (Tie) | RAK Academy Al Hamra, RAK | |
| 2nd Runner Up | Emirates Future International Academy, Abu Dhabi | |
| Robot | Winner | Mayoor Private School, Abu Dhabi |
| 1st Runner Up | Zayed Educational Complex – Al Dhait, RAK | |
| 1st Runner Up (Tie) | Al Ain Junior School, Dubai | |
| 2nd Runner Up | Al khawaneej School – Cycle 2, Dubai | |
| Garden Furniture | Winner | New Indian Model school, Dubai |
| 1st Runner Up | Al Sadiq Islamic English School, Dubai | |
| 2nd Runner Up | Al Aqsa Private School, Ajman |
EEG is an accredited NGO of the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and also a member of the United Nations Global Compact, it ensures that when designing and executing its programmes to directly tackle several UN SDG Goals. This particular competition tackled goals; #3: Good Health & Well-Being, #4: Quality Education, #6: Clean water and sanitation, #7: Affordable and Clean Energy, #8: Economic growth, #9: Innovation & infrastructure, #11: Sustainable Cities & Communities, #12, Responsible Consumption & Production, #13: Climate Action, #15: Life on Land and #17: Partnerships for the Goals.
