Princess Basma, met on Wednesday 21 January, with the team from Al-Raja School for the Deaf in Russeifa, winners of the 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize. a prestigious global award established by the UAE in 2008 to recognize, reward, and scale innovative solutions in sustainability

The JOHUD-affiliated school received the award for its project, “The Speaking Eco-School,” which empowers students with hearing disabilities through environmental sustainability initiatives and modern agricultural technologies. During the meeting, Princess Basma, accompanied by JOHUD Executive Director Farah Al-Daghestani, listened to presentations from the school’s principal, Hanan Al-Maghribi, and students about the project’s goals and impact.

Princess Basma congratulated the school, stressing that determination and creativity make excellence possible despite challenges. She highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability amid climate change, particularly in water management, soil rehabilitation, and agricultural technology, and praised the students’ ability to turn innovative ideas into tangible community benefits.

The project addresses water scarcity and environmental awareness through smart agriculture, water harvesting, greywater recycling, and education in sign language, while also training students in e-marketing and applied environmental activities.

Founded in 1977, Al-Raja School for the Deaf is a national and regional leader in specialized education, applying a total communication approach that includes sign language, lip-reading, and speech development.