Al Maarefa University’s Endeavors towards SDG 2: Zero Hunger and Mitigating Food Insecurity

Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) seeks to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Al Maarefa University in Saudi Arabia recognizes the significance of this goal and has undertaken comprehensive efforts to contribute to its realization by addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainable practices within the local and wider community.

Empowering Agricultural Education:

Al Maarefa University recognizes that education plays a pivotal role in achieving SDG 2. The university offers agricultural and environmental programs that equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle the challenges of food production and sustainability. By producing skilled professionals in agriculture and related fields, the university directly contributes to enhancing agricultural practices and ensuring a more food-secure future.

Sustainable Agricultural Practices:

Through research, outreach, and educational programs, Al Maarefa University actively promotes sustainable agricultural practices that enhance productivity while minimizing environmental impact. The university emphasizes the importance of efficient water management, responsible use of fertilizers and pesticides, and the adoption of modern techniques that optimize resource utilization and reduce wastage.

Community Engagement and Awareness:

Al Maarefa University engages with local communities through workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns focused on sustainable agriculture and responsible food consumption. By sharing knowledge and best practices, the university empowers individuals to make informed choices that contribute to reducing food waste and promoting sustainable dietary habits.

Innovative Farming Techniques:

To overcome challenges related to Saudi Arabia’s arid climate and limited agricultural land, Al Maarefa University explores and promotes innovative farming techniques. Hydroponics, vertical farming, and controlled environment agriculture are some of the approaches that enable year-round cultivation of crops and efficient use of resources, ultimately contributing to increased food production.

Food Security Research:

The university conducts research on food security, agricultural resilience, and crop improvement to address specific challenges faced by the region. This research informs policies and practices that enhance food security, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure a stable supply of nutritious food.

Collaboration with Stakeholders:

Al Maarefa University collaborates with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international partners to collectively address food insecurity. These partnerships help create a coordinated approach to mitigating hunger and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, leveraging diverse expertise and resources.

Promoting Nutritional Education:

Recognizing the link between food security and nutrition, Al Maarefa University emphasizes the importance of balanced diets and nutritional awareness. The university offers programs and campaigns that educate individuals about the importance of diverse and nutritious food choices to combat malnutrition and improve overall health.

Al Maarefa University’s dedication to SDG 2, Zero Hunger, is evident through its multifaceted initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural education, promoting sustainable practices, engaging communities, and conducting impactful research. By fostering a culture of responsible agriculture and food consumption, the university contributes to the broader efforts of creating a world where all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Through its comprehensive approach, Al Maarefa University plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity and advancing the principles of SDG 2 within Saudi Arabia and beyond.

UM support student who participates in community services 

·        #يحدث_الآن تقيم وحدة #الخدمة_المجتمعية في #جامعة_المعرفة بالتعاون مع جمعية إنسان مائدة إفطار لأبناء جمعية إنسان 

Weight Loss Competition

Iftar of the sons of the Autism Families Association and the Insan Association.

Al-Maarifa University, represented by the Community Service Unit, launched the Iftar initiative for the sons of the Autism Families Association and the sons of the Insan Association, on Wednesday 24 Ramadan 1440 AH corresponding to May 29, 2019 CE. The Islamic community, and the breakfast was accompanied by a number of various entertainment items provided by the community service team at the university.

The initiative comes within the framework of its social responsibility, and a sense of the spiritual meanings and the atmosphere of faith that characterizes the month of Ramadan. Professor Sami Al-Duweesh, supervisor of the southern sector of the association, gave thanks and appreciation to the University of Knowledge and its students for this initiative.

Wateen Al Maarefa

On the twenty-sixth of Ramadan 🌙

Excerpts from the second day of the #نادي_وتين_المعرفة initiative in preparing and distributing more than 550 meals as iftar for fasting people in Diriyah

Humanitarian Action and SDG Hackathon

It is a competition in which social specialists, programmers, engineers and interested young people in different disciplines meet for the purpose of carrying out pioneering innovative work in the sectors of humanitarian work, namely: food security and nutrition, health, shelter and non-food items, education, water and environmental sanitation, early recovery, protection, camp management and coordination, emergency communications, logistics. This is to develop sustainable solutions to reduce the challenges facing donors, United Nations organizations and civil society organizations in implementing relief and humanitarian projects in advanced and innovative ways to provide services to beneficiaries in disaster and crisis areas.

Objectives of the Hackathon

·        Introducing the goals and sectors of humanitarian work and the seventeen sustainable development goals

·        Promoting a culture of social innovation and spreading awareness of humanitarian work and sustainable development goals

·        Embracing creative ideas for humanitarian work to develop and turn into social entrepreneurship with social impact and successful economic feasibility in this field

·        Training on creative work in finding innovative solutions and creating new ideas to meet the challenges of humanitarian work and achieve its goals and sustainable development goals

·        Building the capacity of young participants in cooperative work, sharing skills among them, and developing their talents in creativity and innovation in order to achieve the goals of humanitarian work

·        Knowledge management among young people to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in humanitarian action

·        Motivating and developing the capabilities and talents of young people in systematic humanitarian volunteer work professionally according to the best international practices

Humanitarian Relief Sectors:

1.      Food Security

2.      Nutrition

3.      Health

4.      Shelter and non-food items

5.      education

6.      Water and Environmental Sanitation

7.      Early recovery

8.      Protection

9.      Camp Management and Coordination

10.   Emergency Telecommunications

11.   Logistics