What was your favourite part of the course? (A memorable class, assignment, or topic?)

Circular City is a highly professional programme that provides in-depth knowledge and practical insights from leading academics, researchers, and industry experts. I found the course materials particularly valuable in advancing my professional development and in shaping actionable strategies to enhance sustainability in my home country. One of the most impactful sessions was with Ms. Sabine Stuiver, co-founder of Hydraloop. Her insights on decentralized water recycling significantly broadened our perspective on sustainable waste management and improved our strategic decision-making around resource efficiency.

What kind of people did you meet, and what did you learn from them?

Throughout the programme, I had the opportunity to engage with four distinct groups of individuals, each contributing to a deeper understanding of circularity:

• Academics – Experts with comprehensive knowledge of circular systems who shared frameworks and methodologies for transforming cities through innovative reuse strategies and system-level thinking.
• Researchers – Professionals conducting applied research in wastewater utilization and material reuse. Their work provided tangible examples of how discarded materials can be transformed into valuable resources, offering cost-saving and environmental benefits.
• Public and Private Sector Professionals – Representatives from ministries and private companies who offered insights into the practical challenges and opportunities of implementing circular solutions at scale. Interacting with them helped bridge the gap between policy objectives and market needs, which is critical for national economic development and sustainable growth.
• Fellow Participants (Students) – Mid-career professionals from diverse sectors and geographies. Learning from their country-specific experiences gave me comparative insights into circular practices globally, and inspired ideas for potential adaptation and implementation within my own national context.

What new perspectives did you gain, and how have you used what you learned after the course?

The course equipped me with actionable strategies and interdisciplinary insights that I’ve already begun applying to support regenerative practices within my business and broader sustainability initiatives in Oman. By integrating academic research, real-world case studies, and the perspectives of global experts, I’ve enhanced my ability to align commercial objectives with national sustainability goals. This experience has not only initiated a long-term commitment to advancing circular solutions at both local and regional levels—it has also transformed the way I think. Circular City is more than a course; it is a mindset shift—encouraging innovative problem-solving, systems thinking, and the pursuit of practical, sustainable alternatives for complex urban challenges.​​​​​​​