Educating Future Sustainability Leaders: UE Dubai Launches Green Futures Forum
On Saturday, 13 June 2026, the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) Dubai hosted the inaugural Green Futures Forum, a joint initiative led by Prof. Dr. Katariina Juusola and Prof. Dr. Daniel Kleber. Created to strengthen connections between academic learning and industry practice, the forum brought together students, industry experts, and sustainability advocates for a half-day event dedicated to exploring one of the defining challenges of our time: how to create a more sustainable future while balancing economic, social, and environmental priorities.
The event attracted a full-house audience and reflected UE Dubai’s commitment to preparing future leaders capable of addressing complex global challenges through responsible decision-making, innovation, and sustainable thinking. The Green Futures Forum was designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world expertise, providing students with direct access to professionals shaping sustainability agendas across business, policy, and society.
The first session was delivered by Swethal Kumar, Managing Director of The Catalyst, who explored the relationship between sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. His discussion challenged students to consider how startups and businesses can balance sustainability goals with economic viability while navigating pressures related to growth, profitability, and scalability. Through practical examples, students examined whether sustainability represents a competitive advantage, a branding strategy, or a genuine business transformation model.
The second session featured Dr. Rashed Mohamed Karkain, Environmental Leader, Researcher, Policy Expert, and author of Sustainable Development Leaders – What It Takes To Be One. Dr. Karkain serves as CEO and Managing Director of both the Sustainable Development Research and Training Institute and the Sustainable Development Research and Consultancy Organization and is Vice President of the Society of Scholars in the UAE. Drawing on his extensive leadership and policy experience, Dr. Karkain delivered a highly engaging session on sustainable development leadership. He explored the qualities, mindset, and strategic thinking required to lead meaningful sustainability initiatives. His practical guidance encouraged students to view sustainability not as an abstract concept, but as a responsibility that can be translated into everyday decisions and actions.
Throughout the forum, students actively participated in discussions and engaged in a lively Q&A session with both speakers, gaining valuable insights into sustainability, entrepreneurship, leadership, and policy.
The themes discussed closely align with the strategic priorities of the UAE and Dubai, where sustainability, innovation, and future readiness are central to long-term development. As societies face increasingly complex environmental and social challenges, universities have a responsibility to educate graduates who can contribute positively to sustainable progress.
The success of the inaugural Green Futures Forum marks the beginning of what UE Dubai hopes will become a recurring platform for meaningful dialogue on sustainability, innovation, leadership, and responsible business practices. By connecting students with industry experts and thought leaders, the forum aims to inspire the next generation of responsible leaders, innovators, and change-makers needed to build a more sustainable future.
