Webinar: Food Security Practices in LEAF: The University of Sharjah’s College of Medicine Experiment
The aim of this proposal is to share our experience in maintaining food security in a higher education institute. We hope to showcase our projects related to food security, and to collaborate with other institutes and organisations, thereby spreading the word and information to community members. This can result in community members to make their own compost from food leftovers that they have, grow their own vegetations, and teach others too!
We were able to implement such strategies through: having a deep freezer at the college of medicine where faculty and students put specific food leftovers in them; making composts out of them; using the compost as a natural fertiliser for the garden, greenhouse, and nethouse in the university; growing various vegetations in these places (such as onions, beetroot, cotton); growing and harvesting black wheat in the female medical dorms – the first of its kind to be grown in UAE soil; and being a member of MakeSoil.org, where community members can deposit their food leftovers to a designated place to make use of them in making a fertile soil.
Presenters
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Yazan Mazen Yaser Saidismail, Teaching Assistant at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah; previous leader of Linking Education and Farming (LEAF) team from 2019 to 2024, University of Sharjah Greetings! I am Yazan Mazen, a medical graduate and currently a Teaching Assistant at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah. I was also the team leader of Linking Education and Farming (LEAF) team, a sustainability team found by Dr Anu V Ranade from the medical college. I am active in research in the medical field, engaging in sustainability initiatives since high school, as well as mentoring young students and fresh graduates in their college studies and postgraduation. |
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Sara Jafleh, Medical Student, University of Sharjah Hello! I am Sara Jafleh, a second-year medical student at theUniversity of Sharjah. I’m an active member of the Linking Education and Farming (LEAF) team, where I have participated in various sustainability initiatives, including gardening, plastic bottle collection, and school outreach visits.I’m also actively involved in research within the medical field, alongside engaging in medical education initiatives such as tutoring programs within my university, where I support fellow students in their academic journey. |
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Hussain Alfnish, Medical Student, University of Sharjah I am Hussain Salahuddin, a fourth-year medical student at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, with a strong interest in sustainability and its intersection with healthcare. Throughout my medical journey, I have become increasingly aware of the impact that environmental factors have on human health, as well as the responsibility healthcare systems carry in promoting sustainable practices. I currently serve as one of the leads of LEAF, where I work with peers to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and encourage more responsible use of resources within the medical community. This role has allowed me to actively contribute to initiatives that aim to integrate sustainability into both academic and clinical environments. I am driven by the belief that the future of medicine should not only focus on treating patients, but also on protecting the planet that supports global health. |
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Anu Ranade, Associate Professor, University of Sharjah I am an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, with over thirty years of experience in medical education and academic leadership. I hold a Ph.D. in Anatomy from Manipal University, India, and specialize in clinical anatomy, reproductive biology, and molecular pathology. I teach across medical, dental, pharmacy, and allied health programs and serve as Course Chair, Unit Coordinator, and Lead Faculty within the integrated MBBS curriculum. I am a highly published researcher and a recipient of multiple awards for academic and teaching excellence. In addition to my academic responsibilities, I provide leadership in community engagement and sustainability initiatives. I lead the LEAF (Linking Education and Farming) initiative at the University of Sharjah and spearhead multidisciplinary projects focused on food‚Äëwaste composting, plastic recycling, organic farming, and zero‚Äëwaste campus practices. Through these initiatives, I facilitate experiential learning and have trained many students in applied sustainability and environmental stewardship. Notably, I guide the first successful cultivation of black wheat in the UAE, contributing to national food security and sustainable agricultural practices. Through sustained collaborations with governmental organizations, non‚Äëgovernmental agencies, and community outreach programs, I continue to advance sustainability education, social responsibility, and environmental awareness within the University of Sharjah and the wider community. |
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Jana Eissa, Medical Student, University of Sharjah Jana Eissa is a medical student at the University of Sharjah with a strong interest in healthcare and psychology. She is particularly passionate about promoting healthcare equity through the integration of innovative technologies. As an active advocate, she is committed to advancing equitable access to quality care. Jana values experiential learning and actively pursues opportunities that deepen her understanding of healthcare systems and research. Through these experiences, she continues to develop her skills and contribute to meaningful, evidence-based change in the field of healthcare. |
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Noor Abdelghany, Medical Student, University of Sharjah I am a third-year MBBS student at the University of Sharjah, highly motivated to excel both academically and in extracurricular activities that enrich my knowledge, broaden my experiences, and shape the stories I carry forward. I am especially passionate about sharing this knowledge with others, which is why I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to speak about food security. |