Since December 2023, Patrícia has been part of the Women in Research Committee, the result of the cooperation established between USP and the University of Sharjah during COP 28. In her contributions, the professor pointed out the importance of identifying barriers that prevent women from assuming leadership positions and emphasized the need for mentoring programs for female researchers, with the engagement of stakeholders to promote systemic changes.
During the event, there were interactive sessions and panel discussions on sustainable innovation and the connection between research and practical solutions. In addition, a poster exhibition highlighted the achievements of women in research.
USP’s Director of Environmental Management also met with the Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan, Ali Hilal Al Naqbi, to discuss possible cooperation with USP, following the partnerships already established with the universities of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. One of the main topics discussed was the need for progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) agenda.
Leaders in sustainability
Still in the United Arab Emirates, on February 26, Patrícia participated in the 1st International Sustainability Leaders Meeting held at Abu Dhabi University. The event brought together more than 250 participants from 40 countries, including sustainability leaders and experts, as well as representatives from higher education institutions. The discussions focused on integrating the SDGs into academic institutions to boost global sustainability efforts.
During the meeting, topics such as reducing carbon emissions, the role of universities as living laboratories, and student engagement in projects that seek solutions to concrete issues were discussed. Ahmed Baharoon, Abu Dhabi’s Director of Sustainability, stressed that responsibility is shared and that universities must exemplify sustainable practices. Ashwin Fernandes, from QS Ranking, one of the most important academic rankings in the world, pointed out that recent research indicates that 88% of students are looking for sustainability-related courses.
Patrícia participated in a panel mediated by Abu Dhabi University’s chancellor, Ghassan Aouad. In it, she shared USP’s initiatives, such as creating research centers and highlighting the Center for Research and Innovation in Climate and Sustainability, USPProClima. She gave examples of how partnerships with the public and private sectors can help solve issues and mentioned joint work with the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply of the State of São Paulo, resulting in advances for the bioeconomy in the Vale do Ribeira. She also encouraged other universities to participate in GreenMetric, a ranking that ranks USP among the five most sustainable universities in the world.
