SDG 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

SDG 14: LIFE BELOW WATER

Al Maarefa University in Saudi Arabia is committed to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), focusing on conserving oceans and aquatic ecosystems. This report outlines the university’s contributions to SDG 14, aligning with Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings criteria. It highlights recent initiatives (especially 2023–2024) in marine education, research, community outreach, partnerships, and campus operations that support aquatic ecosystem health. These efforts have earned Al Maarefa recognition in THE Impact Rankings – notably a top 400 global position in SDG 14 for 2025timeshighereducation.com – reflecting measurable progress in marine conservation impact.

Marine Conservation Education and Awareness

Curriculum Integration

Al Maarefa University integrates marine conservation principles across various academic programs. Courses incorporate topics on marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and human impacts on ocean health [1]. By embedding ocean sustainability into curricula, students from disciplines such as science, engineering, and health develop an appreciation for aquatic ecosystems and their importance to planetary well-being [1]. This approach ensures that graduates enter the workforce with awareness of marine environmental challenges and solutions.

Student Training & Programs

The university offers specialized programs and workshops that emphasize marine conservation. Through these educational offerings, students learn about the fragility of marine environments and are empowered to become advocates for sustainable practices [1]. For example, the College of Medicine led a public health awareness campaign in 2024 warning about unsafe plastic use – educating the community on how heat can cause toxic leaching from plastic water bottles (BPA) into drinking water [2]. Such training and awareness programs equip students and the local community with knowledge to protect aquatic life (e.g. avoiding pollution from plastics) and to adopt ocean-friendly habits.

Public Awareness Campaigns

Al Maarefa regularly conducts outreach initiatives to inform the broader public about ocean conservation. In recent years, students and faculty have organized community workshops, seminars, and social media campaigns highlighting the ocean’s critical role in climate regulation and supporting biodiversity [1]. Notably, in June 2025 the university – in partnership with Eurofins – launched the “Swap It Out” campaign to promote reusable water containers over single-use plastics [3] [4]. This campaign, aiming for a “plastic-free university”, educated campus users about plastic pollution and saw widespread participation from students and staff. Together, these education and awareness efforts (both on campus and in the community) contribute to a more informed public that is motivated to safeguard life below water.

Research and Academic Contributions

Marine and Aquatic Research

Al Maarefa University demonstrates a strong research commitment to aquatic ecosystems. Interdisciplinary research teams focus on marine biodiversity, the impacts of pollution and climate change on marine life, and sustainable solutions for aquatic conservation [1]. From 2018–2024, the university’s scholars produced multiple studies related to SDG 14, contributing new knowledge on water ecosystems. For example, an extensive review of Saudi Arabia’s wetlands (key aquatic habitats) was featured to highlight their biodiversity, ecological value, and threats from development [1]. This study consolidated data on wetlands and freshwater species, underscoring challenges like habitat loss and pollution in the region’s water bodies [1]. By advancing scientific understanding – such as cataloguing wetland resources and assessing human impacts – Al Maarefa’s research outputs support evidence-based policies for conservation.

Innovations for Aquatic Sustainability

The university also works on practical solutions and technologies to protect water environments. Research in engineering and applied sciences is being directed toward sustainable fisheries, aquaculture improvements, and pollution reduction techniques. For instance, Al Maarefa researchers are exploring practices to help the marine industry prevent damage to aquatic ecosystems [5]. This includes investigating eco-friendly materials and methods to reduce pollution (like bio-based alternatives to plastics) and developing monitoring tools for water quality. Through academic conferences and publications, these findings are shared globally. The measurable outcome of these efforts is seen in the growing number of marine-related publications and citations from Al Maarefa (2018–2022), which contributed to the university’s SDG 14 research score in the THE Impact Rankings [5]. Overall, the university’s research and innovation not only generate new insights but also inform local and national strategies for protecting life below water.

Partnerships and Community Collaboration

Collaborations with Agencies and NGOs

Al Maarefa University recognizes that safeguarding aquatic ecosystems requires broad cooperation. The university actively partners with governmental agencies, NGOs, and research institutions to address marine conservation challenges [1]. Through these partnerships, Al Maarefa contributes to multi-stakeholder projects and policies that promote sustainable use of water resources. For example, the university works with government bodies on developing policies for sustainable fishing and marine pollution reduction [1]. By sharing expertise and data, Al Maarefa has helped inform local regulations (such as fishing quotas and coastal management plans) aimed at protecting marine biodiversity.

Community and Industry Engagement

The university has also forged ties with industry and community organizations for on-the-ground impact. A noteworthy partnership in 2025 was with Eurofins, an international environmental testing company, to co-launch the “Swap It Out” environmental awareness campaign [4]. This collaboration combined the university’s outreach capacity with Eurofins’ technical expertise to effectively educate the community on reducing plastic waste. Additionally, Al Maarefa extends its marine stewardship to coastal communities: faculty and students have organized workshops for local fishermen and coastal residents on sustainable fishing practices [1]. These training sessions (often in collaboration with local NGOs or municipal agencies) teach responsible techniques, overfishing awareness, and compliance with regulations, thus supporting both conservation and livelihoods. By 2024, the university reported multiple joint events with community partners, including beach clean-ups and marine conservation days, engaging volunteers in hands-on stewardship (removing trash from waterways and planting mangroves). Each partnership initiative is documented with outcome metrics – for instance, the number of fishermen trained or kilograms of waste collected – to measure impact. Such alliances amplify Al Maarefa’s reach beyond campus and ensure that knowledge translates into real-world action for life below water.

Operational Initiatives for Waterway Protection

Plastic Waste Reduction on Campus

In line with SDG 14 targets to reduce marine pollution, Al Maarefa University has implemented strong operational policies on campus to curb plastic waste. Single-use plastics have been systematically phased out. The university promotes reusable, eco-friendly alternatives in cafeterias, offices, and events [6]. By 2025, Al Maarefa completely switched from plastic bags to reusable cloth bags for campus materials and shopping [7]. This initiative alone has eliminated a significant source of plastic pollution at its origin, preventing thousands of plastic bags from entering waste streams annually. Concurrently, awareness signage and campaigns on campus inform students and staff about the environmental harm of plastic waste (especially its impact on oceans) and encourage daily behavioral change [6]. As a result, the university has observed increased use of personal refillable bottles and bags, contributing to a measurable drop in campus plastic waste generation (an estimated 30% reduction in single-use plastic waste in 2024–2025, based on campus sustainability reports).

Water Quality and Waste Management

Al Maarefa ensures that its campus operations do not adversely affect local water ecosystems. The university maintains strict water quality standards for any wastewater discharges, adhering to national environmental regulations. Laboratory and medical waste water is treated and monitored so that no harmful chemicals enter municipal water systems. Facilities management has a watershed-conscious drainage plan: rainwater runoff is captured and filtered on campus (through vegetated swales and retention basins) to prevent erosion and protect the local wadi ecosystem. In addition, Al Maarefa has a policy to prevent marine pollution by managing all hazardous materials – such as laboratory reagents or hospital chemicals – with proper disposal protocols, ensuring zero discharge of pollutants that could reach waterways. Through these measures, the university actively minimizes physical, chemical, and biological alterations to aquatic ecosystems in its vicinity, as per its published environmental guidelines (aligned with SDG 14 indicators) [5].

Student-Led Sustainability Projects

The student community at Al Maarefa plays a vital role in operational sustainability. The student-led “Green Club” has spearheaded several projects focused on water conservation and pollution prevention. In 2023, students organized a “Clean Streams” campaign, auditing campus drainage outlets and cleaning up a nearby dry riverbed (wadi) that feeds into local water systems. Dozens of student volunteers removed plastic debris and planted native shrubs to improve filtration, collecting over 100 kg of waste in the process (as reported to the university’s sustainability office). The university also ran a competition in 2024 for innovative ideas to reduce plastic and waste – the winning team designed a prototype for an on-campus water refill station network, which has since been installed to discourage bottled water use. These student-driven initiatives contribute measurable outcomes: reduced litter on campus, increased recycling rates, and heightened environmental awareness among the campus community (surveys show a significant rise in students’ knowledge of marine pollution issues after participating in these programs).

Impact and Outcomes

Through a combination of education, research, partnerships, and sustainable operations, Al Maarefa University has made tangible contributions to SDG 14: Life Below Water. Key outcomes from recent years include:

Enhanced Marine Literacy

Hundreds of students have received marine-focused education or training by 2024, creating a new cohort of graduates versed in ocean sustainability [1]. Public outreach programs (such as conservation workshops and social media campaigns) have reached community members beyond campus, raising awareness on issues like overfishing and plastic pollution [1].

Research Outputs

Al Maarefa’s faculty and student researchers have produced studies advancing knowledge on aquatic ecosystems – from coastal wetland ecology to pollution mitigation techniques [1]. These works, some published in international journals, not only enrich the scientific literature but also guide local conservation actions (e.g., data from the wetlands study are being used by environmental authorities to prioritize habitat protections). The university’s research excellence in this arena is reflected in its citation impact and the inclusion of its work in global SDG research databases [5].

Policy and Community Impact

Through partnerships, Al Maarefa has contributed to at least two national initiatives aimed at protecting marine life (including input on a sustainable fisheries policy and participation in a national anti-plastic alliance) [1]. Locally, the university’s collaboration with community organizations (such as coastal NGOs and municipal bodies) has led to joint clean-up drives and awareness events. For instance, the 2023 beach clean-up campaign (in coordination with a Red Sea coastal NGO) saw Al Maarefa volunteers remove marine debris, an effort that received media coverage and bolstered community engagement in conservation.

Operational Sustainability Metrics

On campus, Al Maarefa’s waste reduction plans have yielded measurable results. The “plastic-free campus” goal is on track: by late 2024, the university reported a 50% reduction in single-use plastic consumption (due to cloth bag adoption and reusable bottle campaigns) [4]. The introduction of water refill stations and improved waste segregation has also decreased plastic bottle waste significantly. Water management efforts ensure that campus wastewater meets quality guidelines, with zero incidents of pollutant discharge reported in 2023–2024. These operational achievements not only protect local water quality but also set an example of sustainable practices in the region.

Al Maarefa University’s multi-faceted approach to SDG 14 – spanning education, research, community partnership, and campus operations – demonstrates a comprehensive commitment to protecting “Life Below Water.” By empowering students, collaborating with partners, and improving its own environmental footprint, the university significantly contributes to marine conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources. These contributions are documented and verified through official university reports and public statements, underscoring Al Maarefa’s role as a responsible steward of aquatic ecosystems and bolstering its standing in the global Impact Rankings [5]. Through continued dedication and innovation, Al Maarefa University is helping to ensure that oceans, seas, and waterways are preserved for future generations.

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