At the heart of KAUST Urban Lab’s outreach is the personal commitment of Prof. Sami G. Al-Ghamdi to advancing sustainability through education, mentorship, and meaningful public engagement. His direct involvement in designing and leading initiatives for K–12 students, educators, and community members has helped shape a culture of sustainability and awareness. These efforts focus on translating high-level research into accessible learning experiences for youth and the broader community.
Featured Community Engagement Events
Date: April 13, 2021 | Location: Qatar Academy Prof. Al-Ghamdi introduced 50 students to energy resource classification, environmental challenges, and renewable innovation. The students actively worked on solutions for energy generation and conservation, learning how engineering contributes to climate mitigation.
Date: October 26, 2020 | Location: Qatar Academy The event taught 65 students about the role of mangroves in carbon sequestration and their significance in the carbon cycle. Prof. Al-Ghamdi used the Al Thakira Mangroves as a real-world case to demonstrate how nature-based solutions can combat global warming and ecological degradation.
Date: November 23, 2020 | Location: Qatar Academy Sidra This workshop introduced Grade 5 students to sustainable building principles through the lens of FIFA World Cup stadiums. Prof. Al-Ghamdi emphasized water and energy conservation strategies and encouraged students to reimagine sustainability in their own schools and homes.
Date: February 18, 2021 | Location: Qatar Academy High School Led by Prof. Al-Ghamdi, this workshop tackled global water scarcity, the energy-intensive nature of desalination, and Qatar’s unique water security challenges. Students explored new ideas such as greywater recycling and saltwater toilets, engaging in a dynamic Q&A session that emphasized real-world implications.
Date: October 12, 2020 | Location: Qatar Academy High School This hands-on session guided Grade 9 students through three interactive themes: energy choices, climate change risks, and sustainable waste practices. Activities included renewable energy kits, climate modeling, and domestic waste management. The session sparked deep reflection on personal responsibility in facing the climate crisis.
Date: January 17, 2021 | Location: Qatar Academy Msheireb Prof. Al-Ghamdi introduced 60 students to energy sustainability, highlighting the importance of reducing emissions from fossil fuels and exploring the potential of renewables like solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Students designed innovative concepts for clean energy development while learning about resilience and climate adaptation.
Additional Activities
K–12 Student Workshops
Monthly events designed and led by Prof. Al-Ghamdi, offering interactive learning on water cycles, renewable energy, and climate change
School Curriculum Support
Continuous engagement with local schools to help integrate sustainability into their inquiry-based learning frameworks.
Mentorship for Competitions
Providing guidance for sustainability-focused student projects across multiple school levels and national competitions.
Campus Engagement
Prof. Sami G. Al-Ghamdi’s outreach extends beyond classrooms and labs into the public sphere of KAUST and national media. He sees these platforms as vital tools to connect research with real-world impact and to encourage inclusive sustainability conversations across all ages and professions. Through active participation in public competitions, academic events, and media appearances, Prof. Al-Ghamdi continues to elevate sustainability discourse both in Arabic and English, ensuring it reaches diverse segments of the community.
Organized by MakerSpace, ibTECHar, and HBKU’s CIS, the Makethon challenged students to solve problems related to waste, tourism, water, and the environment. Prof. Al-Ghamdi served as a judge, evaluating student innovations and offering mentorship to help align their ideas with real-world sustainability goals.
Prof. Al-Ghamdi led the organization of this inaugural open day, engaging the general public and students with cutting-edge research projects on sustainability and climate. He worked alongside his graduate students to plan logistics, create media materials, and host visitors—turning the event into an important venue for science communication and community inspiration.
Media Appearances
Prof. Al-Ghamdi frequently participates in television, radio, and newspaper interviews to communicate science and sustainability to the broader public. He places a strong emphasis on Arabic-language outreach to connect more deeply with local and regional communities, promoting environmental awareness through culturally relevant communication.
Some examples of his media engagements include:
• TV Interviews: Featured in national TV segments discussing Qatar’s sustainability agenda and the role of education in shaping climate awareness.
• Radio Interviews: Shared insights on urban development, green infrastructure, and energy conservation on regional radio platforms.
• Newspaper Features: Highlighted in Arabic and English newspapers, profiling his lab’s outreach work and commitment to youth sustainability education.
These engagements not only reflect Prof. Al-Ghamdi’s leadership as a public intellectual but also position the KAUST Urban Lab as a trusted source of knowledge, innovation, and community partnership.
