A delegation of students and senior faculty members from Kuwait University's College of Architecture recently completed a four-day educational visit to Doha, Qatar, hosted by the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD). The visit, which took place from April 24 to 27, aimed to introduce the students to Qatar's sustainable architecture practices.

The four-day tour focused on showcasing Qatar's iconic architectural projects and the implementation of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). With more than 2,000 registered projects, GSAS is the fastest growing green building rating system for new projects within the Gulf region. GSAS is an integral component of the academic curriculum offered at Kuwait University's College of Architecture. In this context, the purpose of the recent field visit was to provide students with hands-on experiential learning opportunities to strengthen their theoretical knowledge about GSAS covered in their academic program. As the first performance-based green building rating system in the MENA region, GSAS offers a comprehensive and regionally tailored framework to evaluate the environmental performance of buildings, promoting sustainable architectural and construction practices across the region.

During their four-day stay, the students toured multiple landmarks and green building projects across Qatar, including Msheireb Downtown Doha, Mina District, National Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, Qatar Foundation Headquarters, Qatar National Library, Education City Mosque, Al Thumama Stadium, and the Botanical Garden at Hamad International Airport. The visits also covered Katara Cultural Village, Katara Hills, The Pearl City, Katara Twin Towers and Vendome Mall in Lusail City. Additionally, the students visited GORD headquarters and RDI facility in Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), where they attended educational lectures and a guided tour led by Dr. Yousef Alhorr, GORD’s Founding Chairman. Throughout their stay in Qatar, experts from GORD and other entities gave detailed technical presentations to enhance students’ understanding about the green projects.

Commending Kuwait’s efforts in the context of the recent visit, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, said, “The State of Kuwait is actively pushing for a more sustainable built environment in line with its ambitious Kuwait Vision 2035 ‘New Kuwait’, a key component of which is sustainable development. This translates to initiatives like incorporating GSAS into university curriculums and hosting educational tours showcasing Qatar's success in sustainable architecture. A direct outcome of these efforts is reflected in the fact that Kuwait has emerged to have the second highest number of GSAS-certified green buildings after Qatar.” Dr. Alhorr added that GORD's commitment to facilitating sustainability educational visits stems from its role as a leading entity in global sustainability. He highlighted that the organization prioritizes regional advancement within its sustainability initiatives, underscoring the importance of fostering educational and practical experiences that contribute significantly to the sustainability drive in the Gulf region.

Dr. Omar Khattab, Acting Vice Dean for Students Affairs at the College of Architecture, Kuwait University, said, “Kuwait University's commitment to a sustainable future aligns perfectly with the goals of this educational visit. Qatar’s extensive portfolio of GSAS-certified buildings and cutting-edge sustainable practices offers a fertile learning environment for our students. Experiencing the country’s pioneering sustainable architecture firsthand, particularly through the lens of GSAS, provides invaluable knowledge for our students.  This exposure will undoubtedly inspire them to integrate these principles into their future design endeavors, contributing to a greener built environment for Kuwait and the region."

Kuwait University’s educational visit to Qatar provided practical learning opportunities about GSAS certifications, that include GSAS Design & Build, GSAS Construction Management, and GSAS Operations, guided by GORD’s experts in sustainability and architecture. Students also experienced Doha's sustainable transportation options, utilizing the Doha Metro and bus services during their travels. For the students from Kuwait, the recent tour offered valuable insights, exposing them to Qatar's approach to sustainable design, construction and operations, reinforcing the importance of sustainability in the region's construction industry and the role GSAS plays in promoting environmentally friendly practices.