American University of Sharjah (AUS) has been recognised as one of the world’s top 10 universities for its sustainability achievements in the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index, published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
AUS secured second place globally (tied) in Curriculum and sixth place globally (tied) in Research—the highest positions ever earned by a university in the Middle East. AUS was also named the top performer for sustainability in the UAE.
Recognised by AASHE’s Sustainable Campus Index
The Sustainable Campus Index is based on the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a global framework used by over 1,200 institutions in 52 countries. AUS first achieved STARS Bronze in 2018, progressed to Silver in 2021, and earned Gold in 2024, marking a steady rise in its sustainability performance.
This year, AUS received a special mention in the Institutional Highlights section for its Transformative Sustainability Project (TSP). Led by Kristina Katsos, Senior Instructor in the Department of International Studies, and Dr. Kristen Highland, Head of the Department of English, the TSP brought together nearly 1,500 students and 16 faculty pairs across the UAE and US. The project integrated the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into teaching while enabling students to collaborate across borders on real sustainability challenges.
A Commitment to Education and Research
“Earning second place globally in curriculum and sixth in research, two key areas of AUS’ institutional strategy, reflects the scale of sustainability work happening across AUS,” said Omar Alnuaimi, Director of Sustainability at AUS. “These results show that sustainability and innovation are not in conflict. At AUS, they reinforce one another—our students are learning to tackle urgent global challenges while also driving forward the UAE’s innovation-focused economy.”
With 22 percent of AUS courses focused on sustainability, nearly half of all graduates completing programmes that include sustainability learning, and 35 percent of faculty engaged in sustainability research, AUS continues to embed sustainability into every level of academic life.
Research and Innovation Driving Change
AUS has grown its graduate offerings by 33 percent in recent years and launched new PhD programmes in fields such as environmental engineering. The university has also opened research centres that address sustainability from multiple perspectives, including:
- Social enterprise and sustainable development
- Resource efficiency
- Healthcare innovation
- AI-enabled smart cities
The Materials Research Core Facility at AUS provides advanced research and analysis tools with direct applications to sustainability, supporting both local and global impact.
Global Recognition
AASHE’s Executive Director, Meghan Fay Zahniser, praised AUS and other top performers:
“The Sustainable Campus Index recognises institutions making significant contributions in key areas of sustainability. AUS’ results this year highlight the university’s clear commitment to integrating sustainability into teaching and research at a global standard.”
AUS’ leadership aligns with international priorities including the UN SDGs and the Paris Agreement, strengthening its role as a regional pioneer with global influence in sustainability.
For more information on AUS sustainability initiatives, visit:
For details on the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index, visit: