An educational tour for students from Kuwait was hosted by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (Gord) recently.
Gathering 16 scholars and faculty members from Kuwait University’s College of Architecture, the three-day tour focused on demonstrating sustainability best practices achieved through the implementation of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS).
Students visiting Doha had the opportunity to obtain first-hand knowledge about GSAS principles by visiting various types of buildings certified with highest GSAS ratings for Design & Build, Construction Management and Operations.
The recent tour was a continuation of joint activities envisaged to promote green buildings in the Gulf region. Recently, the College of Architecture at Kuwait University introduced GSAS as part of its academic offerings, following a strategic collaboration between Al Sayer Group in Kuwait, Gord and Kuwait University. Qatar was selected as the destination for GSAS knowledge sharing trip since the country houses the largest number of GSAS certified green buildings-over 1,400.
During their stay in Doha, faculty members and students were offered guided tours to some of the most iconic and architecturally acclaimed GSAS certified projects that include the National Museum of Qatar, Al Bayt Stadium, Lusail City and the Museum of Islamic Art. The visitors also passed by Al Janoub Stadium designed by the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, and Al Thumama Stadium designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim Jaidah.
Throughout the visits, sustainability experts from Gord’s GSAS Trust highlighted key green features and sustainability practices implemented at each selected project. The group also visited some of Doha landmarks such as Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, Qatar National Library, and College of Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. During the visit, guided tours were arranged, where experts at most of the selected buildings joined the group. The students from Kuwait University also visited Al Thumama Showcase Stadium, where they received a live demonstration of Gord's patented outdoor cooling technology.
Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of Gord, said: “Together with Al Sayer Holding and Kuwait University, Gord’s efforts are firmly focused on nurturing environmentally conscious mindsets empowered with the expertise to take tangible steps in the right direction. Since our MoU last year, we have witnessed concrete progress, from the inclusion of GSAS in engineering curriculum to this academic tour for the students of Kuwait. Going forward, we hope that after visiting Qatar’s outstanding green buildings, the participating batch will leave Doha with a greater sense of motivation and inspiration to prioritise sustainability in their future projects.”
The students valued the experience and requested similar regional collaborations in the future, to help catalyse the development of sustainable built environment in the region.
Students visiting Doha had the opportunity to obtain first-hand knowledge about GSAS principles by visiting various types of buildings certified with highest GSAS ratings for Design & Build, Construction Management and Operations.
The recent tour was a continuation of joint activities envisaged to promote green buildings in the Gulf region. Recently, the College of Architecture at Kuwait University introduced GSAS as part of its academic offerings, following a strategic collaboration between Al Sayer Group in Kuwait, Gord and Kuwait University. Qatar was selected as the destination for GSAS knowledge sharing trip since the country houses the largest number of GSAS certified green buildings-over 1,400.
During their stay in Doha, faculty members and students were offered guided tours to some of the most iconic and architecturally acclaimed GSAS certified projects that include the National Museum of Qatar, Al Bayt Stadium, Lusail City and the Museum of Islamic Art. The visitors also passed by Al Janoub Stadium designed by the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, and Al Thumama Stadium designed by Qatari architect Ibrahim Jaidah.
Throughout the visits, sustainability experts from Gord’s GSAS Trust highlighted key green features and sustainability practices implemented at each selected project. The group also visited some of Doha landmarks such as Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, Qatar National Library, and College of Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. During the visit, guided tours were arranged, where experts at most of the selected buildings joined the group. The students from Kuwait University also visited Al Thumama Showcase Stadium, where they received a live demonstration of Gord's patented outdoor cooling technology.
Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of Gord, said: “Together with Al Sayer Holding and Kuwait University, Gord’s efforts are firmly focused on nurturing environmentally conscious mindsets empowered with the expertise to take tangible steps in the right direction. Since our MoU last year, we have witnessed concrete progress, from the inclusion of GSAS in engineering curriculum to this academic tour for the students of Kuwait. Going forward, we hope that after visiting Qatar’s outstanding green buildings, the participating batch will leave Doha with a greater sense of motivation and inspiration to prioritise sustainability in their future projects.”
The students valued the experience and requested similar regional collaborations in the future, to help catalyse the development of sustainable built environment in the region.