local community,through partnerships, in efforts to maintain shared land ecosystems
The Environment and Community Service Laboratory at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine provides specialized quality services to farmers and various agricultural companies through its analysis services for all soil, water, plant and fertilizer samples, where the average number of samples analyzed by the laboratory reaches more than one thousand six hundred (3322) samples annually.
The laboratory includes modern laboratory equipment and equipment that enable it to perform its tasks and objectives effectively (Figure 4 below). This is in addition to the consultancy services provided by the laboratory that may reach to visit the farms to identify problems in the field and make proposals to solve these problems.
Objectives of the Environment and Community Service Laboratory:
Providing technical and scientific support to workers in the agricultural sector, whether individuals, companies, municipalities or research centers and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Serving the community, participating in its development and supporting the sustainable development of the community through the practice of extension and raising the awareness of farmers.
Preserving the environment.
Solve farmers' problems related to soil, water, plant, plant pathogenesis and pests.
Tasks of the Environment and Community Service Laboratory:
Analysis of elements in soil, water, plant and fertilizer samples that arrive from farmers.
Evaluate the suitability of the soil for cultivation, identify the soil problems of farmers and develop appropriate solutions.
Identify problems of soil fertility and plant nutrition and write appropriate fertilizer reports and recommendations through the results of soil and plant analysis for farmers.
Estimating pollutants with heavy elements, whether in soil, plant or water to support environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The factory receives water samples from farmers for examination and determination of suitability for agricultural irrigation as well as for drinking.
Analysis of chemical contaminants and pesticides in soil, fruits and crops for the benefit of farmers.
The plant clinic of the laboratory receives infected plant samples from farmers for examination, identification of the cause of the injury and determination of appropriate treatment.
The Botanical Clinic provides extension services in many areas including the prevention and control of diseases of all plants and date palms, prevention and control of acacous and insect pests of all crops and date palms.
Specialized faculty members go out to farms with farmers to identify problems on the ground to examine infected plants or soils and take samples to the environment and community service laboratory to conduct the necessary tests and analyzes and prepare technical reports to respond to the problems and all this is voluntary work.
In addition, the laboratory records the results of the analyzes and keeps them as information of great importance to support the sustainable development of society. The following are tables of some of the years in which the preparation of the analyzes carried out by the Community Service Laboratory shows the environment, as well as some pictures of problems examined by the Botanical Clinic and developed appropriate solutions to them.
The scientific symposium organized by the university represented by the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine kicked off on Wednesday. In cooperation with the Center for Sustainable Development, at the university headquarters in Melida, entitled «Sustainable Agriculture.. Safe product and clean environment», which was held under the patronage of His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Aldaoud, Rector of the University, with the participation of 13 panelists and experts to discuss issues of concern to sustainability in Agricultural sector.
The first session was held under the title "The Concept of Integrated Agricultural Pest Management " under the chairmanship of Dr. Ahmed Al-Ruqaiba, Dr. Najdi Farouk Abdul Baqi, Professor at the Department of Plant Production and Prevention at the Faculty of Agriculture, participated in it . and veterinary medicine at the university, with a research paper entitled "Integrated Pest Management Policies", in which he stressed However, integrated pest management is strategies developed as future plans that contribute to conservation. On economic crops from loss by agricultural pests without compromising the environment.
During the study, he addressed integrated control methods that work together within an integrated framework of the best means of control . Ancient and novel that can be applied when a pest of pests, or what is known as management, is active. Integrated pest management through the practical treatment of pest populations based on environmental foundations To reduce their population to below the level of economic damage.
He explained that the integrated control strategy depends on the practical aspect and environmental foundations and this is what distinguishes it from Other means of control that rely only on the practical aspect, without relying on the aspect Ecology, as it puts all the means of control together using the best combination of control methods to allow We live with the scourge while there is no economic loss, as it is a changing system This allows it to be developed as we delve deeper into understanding the factors affecting the ecosystem . Agricultural, such as climate, alternative plant factors, beneficial insects, and human activities.
Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Dughairi , Professor at the Department of Plant Production and Prevention, also spoke during the session. Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Deputy Director of the Center for Promising Research in Biocontrol And agricultural information at the university, about "biological control as one of the elements of integrated pest management", explaining that Sustainable development gives the utmost importance to increasing food production by increasing the productivity of the land, and aims at the time The same to find and transfer cleaner technology «less polluted» and more efficient and to regulate Use fertilizers and pesticides to reduce pollution of land, water, plants and the environment as a whole.
He warned that the availability of pesticides in local markets leads to farmers using intensively. And random for those pesticides that are widespread and non-selective, resulting in the elimination of a lot of beneficial insects, caused an increase in the activity of some other pests, and then began The resistance of these pests to the pesticides used with the desire of farmers to increase doses and the number of times of treatment With those pesticides trying to reduce the damage of those pests and most importantly those problems It is the arrival of those pesticides and their concentration in the bodies of consumers and animals.
Al-Dughairi pointed out that researchers in the field of agricultural pest control have tried to find alternatives to these pesticides. To minimize their use and mitigate their negative effects on humans, their animals and the environment in general, Stressing that «vital control» is one of the important means, which has proven successful in many countries, To reduce the use of pesticides in the agricultural sector, which is the use of a human being by an organism Alive with the aim of eliminating a particular pest, that organism that is chosen to combat the pest, Known as a vital enemy, it can be a predator, a parasite or a pathogenic organism. Which in turn attacks and then eliminates the harmful pest.
He added that all countries are currently interested in activating the role of vital control in combat programs . Pests have them, due to the possibility of being used as an important part of an integrated management program to combat a particular pest, This is because of their importance in reducing the damage caused by chemical pesticides to the environment and to the quality of Water and for non-target organisms. Biocontrol is also a low-cost option compared to pesticides. Some elements of biocontrol can protect the agricultural crop produced from the damage of a pest Certain with the same efficiency that can be obtained when using pesticides.
The second session was held under the title "Organic and clean agriculture as one of the pillars of sustainable agriculture " under the chairmanship of Dr. Abdullah Dr. Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Shahwan , Professor at the Department of Plant Protection at the Faculty of Science, spoke in it . Food and Agriculture at King Saud University, Vice President of the Saudi Society for Organic Agriculture and Supervisor of a Farm Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shahwan Organic Agriculture, on "Organic Agriculture for Safe Products and a Clean Environment", Stressing that organic agriculture is one of the various sustainable agriculture systems that have found acceptance. It is appreciated for its advantages over the rest of the systems.
He touched on the definition of organic agriculture as an environmentally friendly agricultural system and its comparison with other agricultural systems and what It is characterized by characteristics that qualify it to preserve the environment and not to pollute it with manufactured chemicals that are many What their residues affect humans, animals and other organisms, and have a great impact on the preservation of The ecological balance of soil and other organisms, he also touched on what Characterized by organic agricultural products plant and animal compared to other agricultural products Produced under the conditions of other agricultural systems.
For his part, Dr. Saleh Sulaiman Al-Huwairini , Professor at the Department of Plant Production and Prevention at the Faculty of Agriculture and Medicine, presented Veterinary at Qassim University, for the concept of clean agriculture, which is one of the most important modern trends in the sector Agricultural to maintain human and animal health and the ecological balance between pests and natural enemies and to reduce Environmental pollution, so clean agriculture is an integrated agro-social ecosystem that takes into account the governorate On resources and the reduction of pollutants which are one of the most important future aspirations in The agricultural sector in recent years in Saudi Arabia .
Al-Huairini explained that the concept of clean agriculture is one of the most important future strategic directions for agricultural development in The Kingdom to reduce the use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides, by activating biological pest control programs using Predators present in the local environment and pathogenic organisms of pests such as fungi, bacteria and the use of traps.
He added that other agricultural inputs such as organic fertilizers, biovaccinations and biofertilizers are cheap, and are working to Rebalancing microbes in the soil, activating vital processes, improving soil properties and rationalizing fertilizer use Mineral which reduces production costs on the one hand and improves the quality of various crops and access On a safe and clean agricultural product on the other hand, which is what makes for clean farming products High value at the local, regional and international level within the framework of international policy and conventions Partnership between different countries.
Al-Huairini believes that the importance of clean agriculture begins with educating those in charge of agriculture about the most important modern technologies in This field, which aims to transfer technologies to individuals to exploit their abilities and self-efforts, Through the comprehensive extension program and work to raise farmers' awareness to raise the level of their knowledge and develop their skills and their future directions within the framework of sustainable development, as well as raising awareness among farmers of the danger of use Unregulated for chemical compounds such as pesticides that have an impact not only on quality Economic value is even a long-term health and environmental impact .
The third session of the symposium dealt with the theme "Good Agricultural Practices" under the chairmanship of Dr. Mahmoud Al-Azazi, and spoke in which he spoke Dr. Sulaiman bin Ali Al-Khatib , Director General of the General Directorate of Plant Wealth, Ministry of Environment and Water Agriculture is about the "concept of good agricultural practices", explaining that the project of dissemination and adoption of agricultural practices Good in Saudi Arabia (Saudi Qab) is considered a new vision for agricultural work in a way Serves the protection and sustainability of natural resources and the preservation of the environment, including biodiversity, Activate the role of human resources to achieve the optimal use of these resources.
Al-Khatib pointed out that Saudi Arabia is around the corner serving the optimal use of production inputs such as seeds, seeds and fertilizers . Pesticides and management of the production unit, improvement of its facilities, qualification and training of personnel, all this will lead to improvement Agricultural processes and practices, increasing agricultural production and improving its specifications, thus increasing farmers' incomes and ensuring that Safety of local agricultural products and enhances consumer confidence in local products and contributes to the opening of outlets New marketing both locally and globally, in addition to the development of economic value For agricultural products and increase their contribution to GDP.
He added that the standards of good agricultural practices will be applied in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia according to a time plan . Three years ago, the Ministry aspired to cover the cultivated area in the Kingdom and to ensure Covering all the activities of the agricultural sector from plant, animal and fish production.
Dr. Ramzi Abu Ayana from the Agricultural Sector Department of the Saleh Awqaf Department also participated in the session. Al Rajhi, with a paper on the criteria and conditions for obtaining the Good Agricultural Practices Certificate (GAP), indicating Objectives of obtaining the Good Agricultural Practices (Global Gap), Qualified Entities and Certification Bodies Inside and outside Saudi Arabia , the cost of obtaining the certificate varies depending on those Entities and the readiness of the institution or not, and the validity period of the certificate is one year For renewal according to a series of technical and administrative procedures, in addition to the most important standards of practice Good agricultural, the most prominent of which are tracking, documentation, internal audit, soil management and the use of Fertilizers , irrigation, crop protection, harvesting and post-<b1203 transactions> harvest and others.
He then touched on the practical applications (audit and inspection sites) of good agricultural practices in the facility (project/ Factory) and its readiness, employees and availability of health and safety means for them, documents and records, and equipment Machinery, the extent to which the product is free of contaminants and pesticide residues, as well as monitoring and identifying potential risks In the farm and the development of controls and preventive measures for it, and the types of signs and warning signs as one of the requirements Obtain quality certificates.
The fourth session, chaired by Dr. Yousef Al-Saleem, also discussed the harmful effects of unsafe use. for pesticides and chemical fertilizers on health and environmental resources ", where Dr. Mohammed Abdullah presented Parasite from King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, for the impact of agrochemicals on public health, He pointed out that these chemical pollutants have harmful and dangerous effects on the health of community members And its danger reaches them through food from meat, fish, bee products, water and fruits and vegetables as well as through the air.
He pointed out that chemical pollution exacerbates the health of community members from young and old as well as on embryos in The stomachs of their mothers causing damage and causing damage to various organs of the body and dysfunction of their functions, and causing diseases Various congenital malformations, autism of newborns , hepatic and renal failure, cancer diseases.
In turn, Dr. Mohammed Shaya Alshaya, Head of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society at the College of Food Sciences , spoke And agriculture at King Saud University, on the impact of overuse of agrochemicals on soil pollution and water, warning against excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers and their negative effects on soil and water and their reflection to become A source of soil contamination leading to pollutants entering the food chain and causing serious effects On the health and well-being of people.
To treat this phenomenon, we must raise the level of knowledge of the farmer and know all aspects of safe use. For pesticides and fertilizers, use pesticides and chemical fertilizers in a balanced way and not overdo it, and work to apply Integrated pest management, development and application of strict laws to preserve the environment and soil from pollution.
The session was attended by Radhi bin Abdullah Al-Faridi, Director of the Department of Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs of the Research Center The development of sustainable agriculture, where he talked about the research of the Estidama Center on water use efficiency in Modern greenhouses mentioned some of the results and experiments of the center in the effect of greenhouse coverings on the amount of Production and water consumption efficiency , pointing out that the center at present seeks with everyone (Researchers, academics, farmers and investors to work and participate in his main research areas), namely control By climatic factors (industrial environment), fertilization and irrigation methods, integrated pest management (IPM) ), and the management of agricultural operations and crops.
He also talked about the impact of different technologies in greenhouses and their impact on efficiency in water consumption, And some of the center's experiments that showed the importance of the cover (glass / polycarbonate / plastic) in the greenhouses In increasing production and water efficiency, with the importance of attention and care in the process of cleaning greenhouse coverings From dust and plankton.
The fifth session was chaired by Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Harbi, and Dr. Fahad bin Mohammed bin Rumian spoke. Al-Rumayyan Head of the Department of Plant Production and Prevention at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at Qassim University, About the Department Integrated fertilization for sustainable agriculture, stressing that the basic concept of nutrient management is the addition of The right source of nutrients for the plant at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place . These elements are essential in the sustainable and integrated management of plant nutrition.
He added that the farmer and the person responsible for the management of the land is the decision maker in choosing the appropriate practices for the soil. Local site-specific, climate, crop production conditions and local systems that have a probability of fulfillment By objectives, because these local conditions can influence the decision about the chosen practice in all Its stages.
Dr. Essam Abdel Moneim from the Department of Plant Production and Prevention presented the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine University Qassim, for soil improvers as auxiliary agents to rationalize the use of chemical fertilizers, the enhancers consist of organic materials and inorganic substances, as the organic matter in the soil contains a large range of Compounds ranging from fats, carbohydrates, proteins and acids, as well as inorganic substances.
Enhancers can be a source of nutrients , and soil improvers can increase soil exchange capacity, i.e. Increases the amount of soil by retaining nutrients, and also increases the water capacity of the soil, i.e. maintains The ground solution that is the source of nutrients on the dissolved image, and all these qualities help On the reduction of fertilizer use.
The sixth closing session was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Anbar Hassanein and dealt with "Applications of clean energy in agricultural production." "Sustainability", with the participation of Engineer Abdulwahab Al-Halabi from Oxel Laboratories in Al-Ahsa, who spoke about Biogas production as a clean energy source, where biogas production contributes to the recycling of Household organic waste and agriculture in the context of sustainable development, can be used as a renewable energy source and as an alternative For natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas which can be used in many Applications as fuel for homes or heating and cooling power generation.
Al-Halabi explained that the environment surrounding urban areas and industrial zones is negatively and sometimes seriously affected by Organic waste residues. Where in the absence of proper and healthy management of organic waste, the residues of organic waste may decompose. It produces pathogenic microbes or harmful air pollutants, stressing the need to take advantage of waste in our environment Agricultural, urban and industrial to produce renewable energy and high-quality organic fertilizer.
The session was attended by Dr. Ahmed Al-Zuhairi from the Department of Plant Production and Prevention at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine . Qassim, who talked about the use of solar energy in modern irrigation systems, where agriculture is considered The largest employment market in the world and agriculture generates large numbers of jobs whether agricultural workers or Workers in agriculture-dependent and nourishing fields , as agricultural processes affect Agriculture is responsible for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions that cause retention. Thermal and climatic changes.
Al-Zuhairi stressed that environmentally friendly agricultural systems can be planned and contribute to reducing these emissions, as Solar energy offers a safe environmental alternative that can reduce the need for various conventional energy sources Which are used in agricultural production processes, since solar energy is the main motivation For evaporation processes, therefore it is the factor that has the greatest impact on the water need in the plant As well as the use of this energy to supply irrigation processes with energy as the need of the plant increases For water by increasing the solar energy falling on it and decreasing it decreases, he also touched on the main systems of collection This energy and its transformation into the image suitable for use in irrigation operations.
The University is preparing to launch the third phase of the "Green Land of Qassim" campaign in the University City, tomorrow Wednesday, 15/2/1440 AH, under the patronage of His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, Rector of the University, and in cooperation with the branch of the Directorate of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the region, where the campaign was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Qassim Region, at his office at the Emirate's headquarters, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdulaziz. Deputy Amir of Qassim Province.
The first and second phases witnessed the planting of more than 150,000 seedlings, in cooperation with all relevant government agencies, with the participation of university employees, where the university city and a number of colleges in all governorates witnessed the afforestation of large areas inside and outside the campus.
His Highness the Amir of the region congratulated the launch of this phase, expressing his happiness on this occasion, expressing his pride that this country in general, and this region in particular, is preserving the environment, praising the third phase of the Green Land of Qassim campaign, which will serve the Qassim region and ecotourism, hoping that this campaign will be an environmental addition to the region.
Eng. Saleh Al-Dhale, Director of the Services and Maintenance Department at the University, revealed the University's intention to tree and cultivate the positions of students in the University City, because of the environmental and health benefit, and to save expenses for the University, where the project began to cultivate the positions of the College of Sharia as a first stage, with more than 500 diverse trees, including: "Pazromia, Vix and Ficus", and the rest of the positions of the colleges are being completed.
Al-Dhalea pointed out that an irrigation network has been implemented for tree ponds to ensure the continuity of the presence of water for this project, and trees have been planted in the road (101) of the university, and the sites near it with an area of 10 thousand meters and some sites are being completed, where some cosmetic works are being done such as: the work of stone cladding and the renovation of the fat of sidewalks and artificial bumps in the roads in the university city, adding that 400 palms have been cultivated near the gym and a number of sites and a number of roads are being completed, and 3000 have been secured A citrus tree with a variety of "lemon, orange, tangerine" to plant near the administrative building and some colleges.
Al-Dhalea added that one of the contractors has been baptized to dig a well for the gym and housing in order to provide water to them, and to the green spaces in it, as the university seeks to expand the green spaces in it, and increase the rate of afforestation and attention to it continuously, this comes because of the continuous support we receive from His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, Rector of the University, and Dr. Mohammed Al-Saawi, Vice President of the University, to manage services and maintenance to carry out its work and the remarkable interest in the development and development of the agricultural field at the university.
The University, represented by the General Directorate of Maintenance and Services, continues its participation in the seventh phase of the "Land of Qassim is Green" campaign, which was launched on Sunday, 23/7/1442 AH, and lasts for 30 days, where the University aims to plant approximately 10,000 seedlings of various trees throughout the University City and the University sites, under the guidance and follow-up of His Excellency Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood, President of the University.
Since the launch of the seventh phase of the campaign, which was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Qassim Province, the Maintenance and Services Department at the University has been able to plant a large number of seedlings in the University City, in addition to the seedlings planted in the University's branches in the governorates, with the active participation of all university entities in order to improve the environment within its branches.
For his part, the General Supervisor of the General Directorate of Services and Maintenance at the University, Eng. Saleh Al-Dhale, stressed that the administration has increased the green area and trees within the University City by more than 50% during the last three years, with the aim of making the University City a green area in conjunction with the campaign of His Highness the Amir of the region, pointing out that the University represented by the General Directorate of Maintenance and Services is interested in participating in this campaign every year and will continue to support it to ensure the provision of a healthy and clean environment for the people of the Qassim region.
Al-Dhalea added that the university's participation in this campaign aims to increase the green space in the university city and expand the afforestation work, and raise the percentage of total green spaces in it through planting, spreading and intensifying afforestation throughout the university sites, which contributes to improving the air and lowering temperatures in the university city and in all university sites in various governorates, while achieving the optimal utilization of treated water in irrigation works.
His Excellency the Rector inaugurates the First International Conference on the Sustainability of Natural Resources
H.E. Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Daoud, Rector of the University, stressed that achieving environmental sustainability is one of the most important pillars of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, in order to raise the efficiency of waste management and reduce pollution, as the Kingdom as an active member of the international system, especially in the Group of Twenty, which seeks to achieve the United Nations goals of sustainable development, pointing out that the issue of waste management is linked to a number of UN goals, including industry, innovation, infrastructure, sustainable cities, sustainable production and consumption, as well as reducing climate change.
This came during the patronage of His Excellency the Rector of the University, for the First International Conference on the Sustainability of Natural Resources: Sustainable Management of Solid Waste, which began on Tuesday morning, 8/3/1441 AH, and which is organized by the Faculty of Engineering at the University and the Center for Sustainable Development, at the headquarters of the main lobby in the University City for men, and for women in the theater of the Faculty of Economics and Management, over two days with the participation of 36 speakers to cover all the axes and objectives of this scientific meeting, which aims to discuss the necessary measures to transform into sustainable food systems.
Al-Daoud added that the university seeks to achieve sustainability through its centers, research and scientists, through a system of integration and cooperation between its units, educational and research programs, thanking the sponsors of the conference, the Qassim Municipality, and all contributing sectors inside and outside the university.
Municipality, a corner for the College of Engineering, a corner for the Center for Sustainable Development, a corner for the City Cement Company, the Cleaning Machinery Factory Company Ltd., and the Fahad Company, and witnessed the signing ceremony of a memorandum of cooperation between the Faculty of Engineering at the University and the City Cement Company.
For his part, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference, Prof. Dr. Khalid Bani Al-Harbi, Vice President for Planning, Development and Quality, spoke about the importance of this conference, which comes in harmony with the University's sense of its strategic role in the Kingdom in general and in the region in particular, and as an embodiment of the aspirations of the Kingdom emanating from its Vision 2030, which gave great importance to the economic fields and the areas of quality of life, pointing out that the University has adopted a number of academic activities to embody this role, the most important of which is this type of scientific meetings, in addition to supporting research in This field and the inclusion of sustainability concepts in the courses of academic programs, and recently the launch of the sustainable university project supervised by His Excellency the Rector of the University and under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Meshaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Amir of the region.
Al-Harbi added that the Organizing Committee has held more than 12 lengthy meetings to prepare for the conference, while the meetings of the other executive committees exceeded more than 30 working meetings, 19 of which were for the Scientific Committee, and the working hours of the preparatory team amounted to more than 150 working hours, and the working group included more than 36 members, and this work resulted in the participation of more than 15 countries with 168 participants, and more than 120 scientific papers were arbitrated.
Al-Harbi explained that the organizing committee and those in charge of this conference, which is dedicated to sustainability concept and research through participants and interested parties, decided that the conference should go beyond this to be sustainable even with an organizational printer, offering thanks and appreciation to partners for success represented by the strategic partner City Cement Company, the silver sponsor Al-Fahad Company, the supporting sponsor of the Qassim Municipality, and the parties cooperating with the conference, which comes at the forefront of which is the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture represented by the Environment Agency and the Ministry's branch in the region represented by His Excellency Eng. Salman Al-Suwaina, as well as The General Directorate of Education in the region is represented by His Excellency Mr. Saleh Al-Jasser for their constructive cooperation to make this conference a success.
After that, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Meshal bin Ibrahim Al-Mushaiqah, said that the Faculty of Engineering at the University attaches great importance to the topics of sustainability of natural resources for their specialized nature, to be one of the most important arms of the University to achieve this lofty purpose next to the relevant specialized authorities from colleges and other units, the most important of which is the Center for Sustainable Development at the University, as a partner in the organization and incubator of the conference with the College in the establishment of this qualitative international forum.
He pointed out that the conference aims to show the size of natural and economic resources wasted and estimate the environmental cost of waste, as well as discuss the necessary measures to transform into sustainable food systems where waste is reduced and food waste is reduced, in addition to stimulating integration between partners from different disciplines to manage waste in a sustainable manner, studying opportunities to stimulate investment in the development of waste recycling technologies in the Kingdom, and studying the obstacles to investment in the field of waste manufacturing industries, through several axes discussed by the conference, namely: Effective management, valued food and responsible citizen, attractive and ambitious investment, and a cohesive team to protect and sustain the environment.
The organizers of the conference seek to contribute to the preparation of a vision on sustainable solid waste management at the national and global level, through the participation of a number of experts, academics and specialists from 15 countries in this field and discuss the results of the latest studies, research and scientific papers related to sustainable solid waste management through 6 sessions throughout the two days of the conference, in order to reduce the per capita consumption rates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of some goods and services, which come within the highest rates globally, which increased the volume of solid waste generated, Reducing the depletion and degradation of natural resources due to high consumption rates, and transferring and localizing modern international technologies in the field of waste management in accordance with the conditions of the Kingdom.
The Dean of the College of Engineering added that the conference also seeks to address the challenges arising from waste, which is the responsibility of each member of society, raise community awareness of the risks posed by waste generation, encourage initiatives aimed at improving sustainable waste management, and provide an opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge among specialists in waste management and sustainable development.
Hence, the speech of the sponsors was delivered by the Executive Director of City Cement, Mr. Majid bin Abdulrahman Al-Assilan, in which he stressed the existence of millions of tons of municipal waste estimated at billions of riyals, which contain organic and inorganic materials of foods and yes God love this blessed country and other materials that could have been recycled and converted into energy to achieve added value to the homeland, but unfortunately they end up in landfills, which is a kind of waste and contradicts our Islamic values and teachings. to the negative environmental impacts resulting from the backfilling of waste in the ground, some of which take more than 100 years to decompose in nature.
Al-Osailan pointed to the risks of leakage of some harmful substances from those residues to the soil and groundwater or the risk of fires, pointing out that most of the developed European countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium have a total amount of waste destined for landfills is almost zero, where no waste is backfilled and if necessary a very high fee is paid on the landfill to reduce these practices and protect the environment, by replacing the use of petroleum fuels with renewable energy and primitive fuels, offering sincere thanks and appreciation To all colleagues at the university and those in charge of this conference, for their blessed efforts and for what will contribute to achieving the directions of our wise government of raising awareness regarding the environment and sustainability, supporting coordination between the public and private sectors, and contributing to the achievement of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to place the Kingdom in the ranks of developed countries.
For his part, the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, Mr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Rabadi, spoke about the vision of the Center for Sustainable Development at the University for sustainability through the adoption of a balanced integrated approach to achieve equitable development between regions and generations, each takes his right and each carries out his duty towards his environment, society and economy to complete the three clusters of sustainability, and sustainability addresses the issue of waste in its physical, technical, social, technical, informatics, financial and economic dimensions.
Al-Rabadi explained that waste management is linked to a number of UN goals, especially the ninth goal, which is industry, innovation and infrastructure, the eleventh goal related to sustainable cities, the twelfth goal on sustainable production and consumption, and the thirteenth goal, which is concerned with reducing climate change, and it is hoped from this conference to seek to diagnose problems accurately and develop appropriate solutions by scientists and experts gathered, and we hope that the objectives of this conference will be achieved and its recommendations translated into useful practical projects.
The conference witnessed the presence of the Vice President of the University, Dr. Mohammed Al-Saawi, the Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Al-Odaib, the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Turki, Eng. Salman Al-Suwaina, Director of the Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Qassim, Mr. Saleh Al-Jasser, Director of the Department of Education in the Qassim Region, Eng. Abdulmohsen Al-Faraihi, Director of the Directorate of Water in Qassim, Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Saleem, Deputy Secretary of the Qassim Region, and the deans of the faculties, faculty members and students at the University.
