Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai Campus marked a significant sustainability milestone yesterday as Dr. Sunitha Prabhuram, under the guidance of Dr. Bhakti More and as part of her SMILES program project, successfully planted the first set of plants in the Community Garden at the MAHE Dubai Campus.

This first planting signals the start of a university-led initiative that aims to create a meaningful, hands-on sustainability experience for students - and is positioned as one of the first community garden initiatives of its kind within the UAE higher education sector.
 

A Living Learning Space for Sustainability and Student Growth

The MAHE Dubai Community Garden is designed as more than a green space. It is a living learning environment that reflects the University’s commitment to:

1. Environmental stewardship

2. Student engagement and experiential learning

3. Community impact and social responsibility

Through the garden, students will gain practical exposure to sustainable practices while developing teamwork, responsibility, and real-world problem-solving skills.
 

Building Entrepreneurial and Leadership Skills

Beyond sustainability, the initiative also creates opportunities for students to build career-relevant capabilities. Students can participate in activities such as:

1. Garden management and operations

2. Produce planning and cultivation cycles

3. Organising community outreach initiatives

4. Leading small teams and taking ownership of outcomes

These experiences are expected to support entrepreneurial thinking and leadership development - aligned with MAHE Dubai’s focus on applied learning and holistic student growth.
 

A Long-Term Initiative with Strong Institutional Impact

Over time, the Community Garden has the potential to evolve into a distinctive campus initiative that strengthens MAHE Dubai’s identity as a university committed to sustainability, student-led action, and community contribution.

It will also serve as a collaborative platform for faculty to integrate sustainability themes into:

1. Coursework and classroom discussions

2. Student projects and experiential modules

3. Research and interdisciplinary initiatives
 

Looking Ahead

The Community Garden is an important step in MAHE Dubai’s wider sustainability journey - bringing together students, faculty, and the community in a shared space built on action, learning, and impact.

Further updates on student engagement activities, learning integration, and community initiatives linked to the garden will be shared as the project grows.