Ajman University Continues to Co-Lead UAE Universities Climate Network as New Leadership Appointed

The UAE’s Universities Climate Network (UCN), a powerful alliance of 38 universities across the Emirates, has announced new leadership to guide its next phase of advancing climate action regionally and internationally. Khalifa University’s Dr. Samuel Mao and Dr. Rasha Bayoumi of the University of Birmingham Dubai have been appointed as Co-Chairs, while Ajman University’s Maya Haddad has been named Head of Operations, a development that reflects Ajman University’s continuing co-leadership of the network.

The official handover ceremony, organized at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), was attended by His Excellency Edward Hobart, the UK Ambassador to the UAE; His Excellency Ambassador Majid Al-Suwaidi, Director-General of the COP28 UAE Presidency; Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President of Khalifa University; and other key stakeholders.

Ajman University’s Continued Co-Leadership

Ajman University remains a co-leading institution within the UCN, and the appointment of Maya Haddad as Head of Operations ensures that the university continues to play a central role in shaping the network’s strategy, operations, and regional impact. In her new capacity, Haddad will oversee operational coordination, support cross-institutional initiatives, and help drive the implementation of the UCN’s four pillars for thought leadership and action.

Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, commented on the appointments: “Universities play an integral role in supporting climate action. They provide the research, education and expertise to respond to the climate challenge, developing the solutions and capacity to reduce emissions and address the adaptation gap. With the appointments of Dr Samuel Mao, Dr Rasha Bayoumi and Ms Maya Haddad in the UAE, I am delighted that UCN are building on their success at COP28 to take forward this agenda across the MENA region.”

Building on COP28 Success

The UAE Universities Climate Network was formed to unify the voices of UAE universities and showcase the crucial role of higher education in tackling climate change. Its lasting impact extends beyond COP28, with a strategy built on four pillars:

Student Youth Engagement Pillar: Empowering youth climate leaders by igniting a global movement of student climate action, engaging young leaders from the UAE and worldwide.

Research & Innovation Pillar: Fueling innovation and solutions by disseminating climate research and analysis, providing policymakers with actionable recommendations to accelerate climate solutions.

Communal Activations Pillar: Engaging communities with action by activating university campuses and stakeholders to broaden public engagement on climate change through evidence-based initiatives.

Campus Carbon Neutrality Pillar: Leading by example through pioneering carbon neutrality, spearheading university decarbonization plans aligned with the UAE’s ambitious 2050 Net Zero strategy.

Ajman University’s Ongoing Contributions to the UCN

Ajman University’s continued co-leadership of the UCN is rooted in its broader institutional commitment to sustainability. As a signatory of the UN Environment Program’s Race to Net Zero for Universities, Ajman University submits annual GHG inventory reports and has made consistent progress toward carbon neutrality.

The university’s flagship sustainability initiative, the “Greening Communities: Mangrove Planting Project,” won the prestigious QS Reimagine Education Award 2024 in the “Sustainability Education Action” category and was recognized as Best University-Led Project at the MAJRA Sustainable Impact Challenge 2025.

In the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026, Ajman University ranked among the world’s top 300 universities overall and achieved #1 in the UAE for both SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Taking the UCN to the Next Stage

With the new leadership team in place, and with Ajman University continuing to co-lead the network, the UCN is poised to expand its impact across the MENA region and beyond. The network’s 38 member universities stand united in the fight against climate change, empowering young minds to become the next generation of environmental leaders.

As Ajman University continues its co-leadership of this vital network, it reaffirms its belief that higher education institutions have a responsibility to drive climate action not only through research and teaching but through operational excellence, community engagement, and regional collaboration.