DEWA, KHDA honour educational institutions

Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA) today honoured the winners of its ‘Conservation Award – For A Better Tomorrow 2011-2012’, given to educational institutions and teaching establishments in Dubai for best practices in electricity and water consumption.

The Award, which is in its seventh year, is an integral part of DEWA’s community outreach and engagement initiative for sustaining precious natural resources, and is held in partnership with Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), at a consolidated expenditure of AED 800,000.

During his inaugural speech, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD &CEO, said, “In accordance with the long-term ‘Strategy for Green Development’ and Dubai’s vision, DEWA has through the years, designed and developed well-defined programmes, initiatives and marketing-communication campaigns to address the threat of global warming. The ‘Conservation Award – For a Better Tomorrow’ is a major step in this direction and showcases DEWA’s key role in the area of sustainability and environment.

“The Award in 2011-2012 has yielded promising and remarkable results in the conservation of electricity and water. Educational institutions, students and faculties reduced the consumption of electricity by 13% and water by 39%, compared with the consumption reduction levels of 2010. Additionally, participants from the residential consumer segment reduced their consumption by 10% in electricity, and 44% in water in comparison to 2010 levels. Participants in all categories were able to save 28 million kWh. Another achievement was recorded in saving 123 million Imperial Gallons in water consumption. Accordingly, there was a reduction in CO2 emissions of 17,000 Tons, and the total savings recorded was around AED 17 million.”

Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General, KHDA said: “Each person in the society has an important role to play in conservation of vital energy and water resources. By involving educational institutions in this critical process, DEWA has been successful in engaging the community at an early stage in order to develop responsible attitudes and habits. I am certain that the ‘Conservation Award’ will help create awareness about the importance of rational consumption of our natural resources and responsible use of electricity and water for a better tomorrow.”

The award’s recipients include 25 educational institutions, 25 coordinators representing respective winning institutions, six Best Conservation Teams and Team Coordinators from the Academic Level. Seven nominated Facility-Management workers five Best Nominated Parents from the winning institutions and three residential consumers.

The list of winners included BITS - Pilani in the University Category, which came in the first place, followed by University of Dubai in the second place. Special recognition was dedicated to Dubai Police Adult Education Centre, an Adult Educational Centre, and Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs. Winners from the Nurseries Category included Mother Care Nursery (first place), Kangaroo Kids Nursery (second place), Jumeirah International Nursery (third place). From the Kindergarten category, Dubai Infants School won the first place, GEMS Jumeirah Primary School (second place), Al Minhal Kindergarten (third place).

The Primary Schools Category winners included Al Nahda School (first place), Abu Haneefa School (second place), and Uptown Primary School (third place). The Intermediate Schools Category winners included Al Waha School (first place), American International School (second place) and The Sheffield private School (third place). The Secondary Schools Category winners included Al Mizhar American Academy School (first place), Buds Public School (second place) and Dubai International Academy (third place).

The ‘Conservation Award – For A Better Tomorrow’, established in line with Dubai’s commitment towards environment sustainability, received the Dubai Government Excellence Program Award (DGEP) 2009 for achieving outstanding savings in electricity and water consumption, and for its incremental growth in participation and popularity within the educational sector.