The Wellbeing of Society: Individual Solutions, Digital Approaches, and Environmental Health

Wellbeing is gaining attention across generations as a key priority for healthier societies. Interdisciplinary research offers promising solutions, drawing on insights from sport sciences, education, medicine, sociology, environmental studies, and data science. These advances are helping to prevent communicable and non-communicable diseases, improve digital medicine, and strengthen community health.

This breakthrough forum addresses today’s burning questions on public health which are widely discussed but have not yet been sufficiently researched. To help close the gap, UoS, the University of Khorfakkan (UKF) and AGYA are committed to this field in their research endeavours. This forum opens with keynotes highlighting the latest research findings on health effects of microplastics as well as on artificial intelligence for food security and safety. In subsequent roundtable sessions, renowned experts tackle solutions for health and wellbeing, digital health and telemedicine, and waste-to-wealth strategies for environmental health. The forum concludes with shared results from the roundtable discussions outlining concrete next steps for future partnerships. Designed as a platform for knowledge exchange and networking, the forum emphasizes collaboration across disciplines to translate research into meaningful outcomes for public health.

9:00 – 9:10Welcome Address 
(TBA)
Introduced by Prof. Dr. Tareq Osaili, AGYA alumnus, University of Sharjah, UAE

 
9:10 – 9:45

Health Effects of Microplastics: Emerging Evidence from Dietary Exposure
Keynote lecture

  • Prof. Dr. Jutta Dierkes, University of Bergen, Norway

Introduced by Prof. Dr. Tareq Osaili, AGYA alumnus, University of Sharjah, UAE
 

9:45 – 10:15

Innovative Public Health Solutions through Interdisciplinary Approaches
Roundtable Discussion

  • Prof. Dr. Mohammed Alkatan, The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait
  • Prof. Dr. Ahmad Amro, Al-Quds University, Palestine
  • Prof. Dr. Abir Jaafar Hussain, University of Sharjah, UAE
  • Prof. Dr. Maha Nasr, United Arab Emirates University, UAE
  • Prof. Dr. Samar Saad Eldeen Azab, Ain Shams University, Egypt
  • Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Ozsahin, University of Sharjah, UAE

Moderated by Dr. Alounoud Mohamed Hassan Salman Al Marzouqi, University of Sharjah, UAE
 

10:15 - 10:20

The World Bank’s Approach to Strengthening National Environmental & Social Systems for Enhanced Environmental Health
Connecting Input

10:20 – 10:45

Artificial Intelligence and Food Security: Smart & Sustainable Food Systems for the Arab Region (online)
Keynote Lecture

  • Prof. Dr. Anas Al-Nabulsi, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan

Introduced by Dr. Alounoud Mohamed Hassan Salman Al Marzouqi, University of Sharjah, UAE
 

10:50 – 11:15

From Waste to Wealth: Innovative Solutions in Waste Management
Roundtable Discussion

  • Prof. Dr. Sara Abdel Gaber, AGYA member, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
  • Dr. Mohamed Abdellah Qenawy, AGYA member, United Arab Emirates University, UAE
  • Prof. Dr. Majid Al-Busafi, AGYA member, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
  • Dr. Nadia Alkalbani, University of Sharjah, UAE
  • Prof. Dr. Ziad Jaradat, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan 

Moderated by Prof. Dr. Tareq Osaili, AGYA alumnus, University of Sharjah, UAE
 

11:15 – 11:30

Feedback und Next Steps
Closing Remarks

Moderated by Prof. Dr. Tareq Osaili, University of Sharjah, UAE

Breakthrough Forums: Get inspired by cutting-edge research driving innovation

Breakthrough Forums provide a structured platform to showcase pioneering research shaped by bold thinking and ambitious questions. Leading scholars from Arab countries and Germany share their latest findings and innovative approaches that advance their fields, generate tangible impact and illustrate the value of collaboration across disciplines. As a catalyst for intellectual exchange, the forums feature formal keynote presentations, dynamic input sessions and moderated discussions to spark new research directions. Participating scholars and students are exposed to novel developments in cutting-edge research and get the chance to meet potential collaborators and mentors with the goal of inspiring future interdisciplinary cooperation.

Kindly register to the AGYA Annual Conference 2025 here.

Find an overview of all public events at the AGYA Annual Conference 2025 in Sharjah here.

Date: 20 November 2025

Time: 09:00 am - 11:30 am

Venue: University of Sharjah

Language: English

Calendar: ICS/ICAl

The Wellbeing of Society

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