Ajman University Hosts Awareness Sessions on Indoor Environmental Quality

The College of Architecture, Art, and Design at Ajman University organized educational awareness sessions titled " Indoor Air Quality, Energy, Thermal and Visual Comfort Impact of Building Materials" in collaboration with Saint-Gobain UAE, India, and France, and the Emirates Green Building Council. These sessions were part of the 'Healthy Universities in the UAE' campaign, which highlight the importance of indoor air quality and energy efficiency within university campuses.

These awareness sessions aimed to evaluate the current environmental conditions in universities and provide recommendations and necessary measures to enhance energy efficiency and improve indoor environments. This is to ensure the health and well-being of students, teachers, and staff by providing a healthy indoor environment that supports high-quality education.

The sessions began with a welcoming address by Lana Isam from the Emirates Green Building Council, followed by two technical presentations by Saint-Gobain experts.

Raphael Brun, Research Engineer at Saint-Gobain, delivered a presentation titled: “Diving into Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ): The Surprising Impact of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) on Learning”. His presentation delved into indoor air pollutants and their sources, revealing a profound connection between indoor air quality and students’ ability to concentrate and excel in universities. He also discussed how building material can affect indoor air quality and the learning process in educational institutions.

Next, Vardan Soi, Research Engineer at Saint-Gobain, delivered a presentation titled: “Architecting Comfort: The Science of Thermal and Visual Comfort in Buildings.' where he highlighted the design of indoor spaces tailored to human needs and the relationship between architectural designs and human comfort. Moreover, his presentation showcased the use of innovative thermal insulation and smart glass technologies to effectively regulate indoor temperatures and harness natural light.

“Providing a healthy indoor environment in educational institutions has a major impact on the learning and teaching experience. We always strive to ensure a comfortable and healthy environment for our students, teachers, and staff to enhance the quality of education. Through our partnership with Saint-Gobain and the Emirates Green Building Council, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of indoor air quality and energy efficiency in educational institutions providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve these goals”, said Dr. Muna Salameh, Senior Lecturer at the College of Architecture, Art, and Design.

Ajman University always seeks to build strong partnerships with various local and international institutions that are involved in finding solutions for environmental issues. These partnerships are reflective of the University’s profound vision for sustainable development through knowledge exchange and enhancing awareness of environmental and sustainability issues.