Student Nouf Salem Wins First Place in Social Excellence Award

Ajman University Sociology student Nouf Salem Abdallah has achieved a distinguished accomplishment by winning first place in the Social Excellence Award (5th edition, 2025–2026) in the Social Research Excellence category, organized by the Emirates Association for Social Development.

The Social Excellence Award is a national initiative that aims to promote a culture of excellence in the social field and to encourage individuals and institutions to present impactful initiatives that serve the community. The award also supports social development efforts in the UAE by highlighting outstanding practices and recognizing contributions across various social sectors, thereby strengthening the role of society in driving progress and prosperity.

This achievement was recognized for her research titled “The Role of Digital Applications in Shaping Environmental Practices among Emirati Youth,” in which she analyzed how young people use digital applications in their daily lives and examined the impact of this usage on shaping their environmental awareness and attitudes toward sustainable behavior. She also explored patterns of engagement with environmental content across digital platforms and assessed the extent to which this engagement translates into actual practices.

The study found that digital engagement enhances environmental awareness among youth; however, transforming this awareness into sustained behavior remains a challenge. This is influenced by factors such as content type, level of engagement, and social context, highlighting the need to develop more impactful digital content that connects awareness with practical application.

Nouf Salem Abdallah said: “I am proud of this achievement, which would not have been possible without the academic support and continuous guidance provided by Ajman University. The university’s learning environment helped me develop my research skills and strengthened my ability to critically analyze social issues. Through this research, I aim to contribute to raising environmental awareness and encouraging more sustainable practices among youth.”

This achievement reflects Ajman University’s commitment to fostering a research-driven learning environment, where students develop critical thinking skills and engage with contemporary societal issues. The university also provides opportunities for students to participate in research that addresses community needs and bridges academic knowledge with real-world challenges.