GORD, Barzan University College Partner To Strengthen Sustainability In Higher Education

Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Barzan University College (BUC), a leading higher education institution in Qatar affiliated with Swinburne University of Technology, to advance sustainability practices, research, and capacity building within the academic sector.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at the BUC campus in Doha by GORD Founding Chairman Yousef Alhorr and BUC Vice Chairman Hassan Rashid Al Derham.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by embedding sustainability into Qatar’s higher education ecosystem and preparing future leaders to address global environmental challenges.

Speaking about the collaboration, Dr. Yousef Alhorr emphasized the important role universities play in building sustainable societies through education, operational leadership, and community engagement.

“Universities and higher education institutions play a vital role in shaping sustainable societies, not only through academic excellence but also through operational leadership and community engagement. By collaborating with Barzan University College, GORD aims to cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility that starts within the learning environment,” he said.

He added that the partnership is intended to enhance BUC’s sustainability performance, strengthen environmental, social, and governance (ESG) awareness, and encourage innovation aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham stated that the collaboration with GORD would help Barzan University College further integrate sustainability into its academic environment and institutional practices.

“Sustainability is not only a core value that shapes our vision and academic environment at Barzan University College, but also a lens for innovation and a pathway to flourishing that we embed in all our teaching and training for our students,” he said.

He further noted that GORD’s international expertise would enable the institution to adopt globally recognized sustainability standards and accelerate its long-term sustainability mission.

Under the terms of the MoU, GORD will work closely with BUC to explore the implementation of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) standards across the college’s facilities. The collaboration is also expected to support sustainability-focused research initiatives, knowledge-sharing activities, and educational programs aimed at promoting environmentally responsible practices within the academic sector.

The partnership highlights the growing emphasis on sustainability-driven higher education in the Gulf region, where universities are increasingly aligning academic development with climate action and sustainable growth objectives.