The College of Business and Economics (CBE) at Qatar University (QU) has earned the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Gold Certification from the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (Gord) for its building. The GSAS is the first integrated and performance-based system in the Mena region, designed for assessing and rating buildings and infrastructure for their sustainability impacts.
CBE dean Prof Rana Sobh said: “I am proud that we have achieved GSAS certification, demonstrating our commitment to practicing what we teach. Sustainability is at the core of our values, and this certification shows that we are not just talking about environmental responsibility—we are living it. By creating a sustainable campus environment, we aim to be a role model for our students and faculty, inspiring them to embrace and lead sustainability efforts in their own careers and lives.”
Gord founding chairman Dr Yousef Alhorr emphasised the importance of sustainability in the educational sector. “While sustainability standards in design and construction are essential, they are only the starting point. The long-term carbon footprint of a project largely depends on effective operational management. As educational institutes increasingly prioritize sustainability to enhance campus life—focusing on energy efficiency, community well-being, and technological innovation—these efforts contribute to a vibrant and resilient environment for living, working, and studying.”
QU's Facilities and General Services Department director engineer Mai Fetais, said: “We are proud to announce that the (H08) building, the CBE, has been awarded the first GSAS Gold certification for operation. This achievement marks a significant milestone as the first GSAS Operations certification for the university, and we are committed to expanding sustainable operations across other areas of the campus in the coming years.”
The CBE sees this certification as the beginning of a wider movement within Qatar’s educational landscape. With this milestone, the college hopes to inspire other institutions to follow its example, creating a ripple effect that strengthens the sustainability culture throughout the country’s academic institutions, a statement added.
