106 City Cement Company in Saudi Arabia

Team 113 Poster

Team Reflection

Analysis (What):

Our story revolves around City Cement Company, a leading player in the cement industry in Saudi Arabia. Founded in 2005, the company has become a role model in environmental sustainability. During our interview with Abdul Wahid Al-Qarni, Head of the Administrative Sector, we learned how the company is working to replace fossil fuels with alternative energy sources, such as used tires and municipal waste. These initiatives not only reduce carbon emissions but also align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims for carbon neutrality by 2060.

Abdul Wahid emphasized the importance of these initiatives, pointing out how using used tires as an alternative fuel reduces the company’s environmental footprint and addresses the waste problem. It was inspiring to see how waste can be transformed into resources, especially given that tires and municipal waste pose significant challenges in many communities. This innovation reflects the capacity of businesses to provide unconventional solutions to complex environmental issues.

Through this discussion, we gained a deeper understanding of how these initiatives impact the community. In addition to environmental benefits, these projects enhance the company’s reputation and strengthen its relationships with regulatory bodies and the local community. The launch of the “green cement” product, which reduces carbon emissions, was a significant turning point, as it boosts customer support, particularly from those in regulatory positions.

So What:

Our experience with City Cement Company provided us with valuable insights into the role of businesses in achieving sustainability. It showed us how environmental initiatives can also contribute to economic and social goals. This experience enhanced our academic knowledge of sustainability, highlighting the importance of innovation in addressing environmental challenges. It also raised important questions about gaps in our knowledge: How can small businesses adopt similar practices? What mechanisms can be used to ensure companies commit to environmental and social issues?

This story challenged our assumptions about business, demonstrating that the private sector can be a positive force in achieving global goals. Viewing City Cement as a model reinforces the idea that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. We need to consider how to encourage other companies to follow this approach and how government and civil society can support these initiatives.

Moreover, this story served as a powerful reminder that sustainability is not just an option but a necessity. In a world facing climate change and increasing environmental challenges, companies must adopt sustainable strategies not only to comply with regulations but also to meet the growing expectations of society.

Now What:

This experience will significantly influence our behavior and thoughts moving forward. We now recognize the importance of integrating sustainability into our business models and how these practices can be economically beneficial. We plan to apply the lessons learned from City Cement in our future projects, focusing on how to use innovation to reduce environmental impact. We aspire to be leaders in our field who not only seek profits but also work to promote responsible consumption and production.

As we envision our future, we see ourselves as advocates for sustainability practices, encouraging our peers to think critically about the impact of their business decisions. We intend to foster collaboration across different disciplines to achieve sustainability goals. We want to be part of the efforts to achieve global objectives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, and we aim to apply what we have learned from this experience in our professional lives. The story of City Cement Company serves as a powerful example of how businesses can adopt sustainable practices and achieve positive outcomes on environmental, social, and economic levels. We are excited to contribute to this transformation and work towards being part of solutions that enhance community and environmental sustainability. This experience not only enhances our knowledge but also inspires us to work towards a more sustainable future.Our role as a new generation of professionals is to be exemplars in this field and to promote a culture of sustainability in all aspects of our professional lives. We want to contribute to creating a work environment that encourages innovation and creative thinking, where sustainability is an integral part of business strategies. This experience is not just an academic lesson; it is a call to action toward a better future.We also recognize the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the face of evolving environmental challenges. Engaging with different stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profits, and the community, is essential to foster a collaborative approach to sustainability. By sharing knowledge and resources, we can amplify our impact and drive meaningful change. Ultimately, the journey toward sustainability is ongoing, and it requires commitment, creativity, and collaboration. We are determined to carry forward the insights gained from our interaction with City Cement Company and to advocate for practices that not only benefit businesses but also contribute positively to society and the planet. This collective reflection has equipped us with a deeper understanding of our responsibility as future leaders, and we are committed to making sustainability a priority in our careers.

Individual Reflections

Aryam

Reflecting on my experience conducting this interview and working with international teams, I’ve learned a lot that goes beyond just the technical details.From my conversation with Abdul Wahid Al-Qarni, I really got to see how much thought and commitment it takes for a company to be a true leader in sustainability. The way City Cement has taken on initiatives like using alternative fuels and reducing their carbon footprint is impressive. It showed me that change often requires stepping outside the norm and taking risks, even if there are challenges like higher costs or regulatory hurdles. It was eye-opening to hear how being proactive, instead of reactive, sets companies apart, especially when their goals align with larger visions like Saudi Vision 2030. But what really stood out was the importance of communication. Whether it’s explaining their projects to government bodies or motivating their employees, I realized that getting buy-in from all stakeholders is key. This reminded me of how vital clear and consistent messaging is, not just within a company but in any project where people need to work together toward a common goal. Working with international teams has also taught me a lot about collaboration. You quickly learn that different perspectives aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. With people coming from diverse backgrounds, I’ve seen how problem-solving becomes more creative and effective. It’s made me better at adapting and understanding how to approach conversations or projects in ways that resonate with different audiences. Overall, this interview reinforced what I’ve learned from working globally: that a mix of strong communication, proactive thinking, and genuine consideration for the community can make a huge difference in the success of any project. It’s about more than just meeting targets—it’s about building something sustainable that benefits everyone involved.

Randa 

During my experience with COIL, I felt a mix of inspiration and challenge. The opportunity to interact with a team working on innovative sustainability initiatives was a valuable learning experience. The cultural challenges were evident, as we faced differences in communication styles and expectations. However, we learned how to bridge these gaps through openness and mutual respect. Utilizing digital communication tools was essential, as they helped us manage time zone differences. We set flexible meeting times that accommodated all members, allowing us to interact effectively. Additionally, we had fruitful discussions about how our diverse cultures influenced our perspectives on sustainability. This experience not only enhanced my knowledge of sustainability practices but also taught me the importance of collaboration across cultures. I realized that mutual understanding and respect can turn challenges into opportunities for learning and growth. I am grateful for this experience and will apply the lessons learned in my future professional journey.

Munira

Translation of the interview from Arabic into English was an enriching experience, full of excitement intermingled with challenges. The interview was informative, and the burden of transmitting the meanings precisely and lucidly weighed heavily on me. The main challenges I faced concerned the cultural differences represented in both languages. Some expressions and ideas exist in Arabic culture without having a direct translation into the target language, English. This called for my researching and giving deep thought to how I could present such ideas in a manner that keeps the original meaning but still be understandable to the targeted audience. We also had a problem with time zone differences, as this made working and coordinating with the team difficult. We had to work at different times of the day, which really needed flexibility in scheduling and frequent communication. We used digital ways of communication that helped speed up the process and kept us all on the same page. Even though the experience was enjoyable, these challenges were not absent. I learned much about the differences in cultures, how they might affect communication. This experience helped me advance my skills of translation and to be able to adapt to whatever circumstance I found myself in, which boosted my confidence to know that I can handle other similar projects whenever called upon.

Emily

Reflecting on the COIL experience over the past few weeks, I am honestly so thankful for all the insights this assignment has offered into cross-cultural teamwork and global academic perspectives. This project allowed us to understand how education is structured differently around the world, which was both fascinating and relevant to our coursework. Seeing these varied approaches firsthand reinforced and expanded on what we’ve been learning in class. Something that I feel my group did a great job at was the teamwork and task distribution. We prioritized a balanced workload, making sure everyone had a voice in the process and could contribute their ideas. Some tasks naturally aligned with specific team members, like having the members in Saudi Arabia conduct the interview. This approach allowed each person to bring their strengths to the project, ensuring a smoother collaboration overall. However, coordinating across time zones presented a real challenge sometimes. We had to be flexible and find times that accommodated everyone, which thankfully we were able to find one and keep it constant for weekly meetings. When it came to handing things in that was a little trickier because you needed to be mindful of everyone’s time zones. By overcoming this obstacle, we learned the value of clear communication and adaptability in an international setting. Overall, the COIL project was an invaluable experience that I really think helped develop my cultural awareness and teamwork skills. Working closely with peers from another part of the world pushed me to think beyond my own perspectives and helped me grow both academically and personally.

Olivia

Throughout the COIL experience over the past few weeks, I have become grateful for the depth of understanding this project has provided regarding global collaboration, the power of communication and sustainability practices. Engaging with different companies and their innovative approaches to sustainability has opened my eyes to the diverse ways organisations can contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This exposure has not only enriched my academic knowledge but also highlighted the importance of integrating sustainability into business models. One aspect that I believe our group excelled in was the effective distribution of tasks based on individual strengths and interests. For instance, we assigned Aryam to lead the interview with City Cement Company, leveraging her familiarity with the local context and the connection she had made with the manager at City Cement. while I volunteered to take on the poster aspect because I am very familiar with Canva. This strategic allocation of responsibilities ensured that everyone felt valued and fostered a collaborative environment. However, navigating the challenges posed by time zone differences was a significant hurdle. We often found ourselves juggling schedules to accommodate everyone, which required a great deal of flexibility and patience from everyone. Establishing a consistent meeting time was crucial, as it allowed us to maintain regular communication and stay aligned on our project goals. Additionally, the need to submit our reflections and narratives by specific deadlines added another layer of complexity, emphasising the importance of time management and clear communication. Overall, the COIL project has been an enriching experience that has enhanced my cultural awareness and teamwork skills. Collaborating with peers from different backgrounds has encouraged me to broaden my perspectives and consider how various cultural contexts influence-business practices. This journey has not only contributed to my academic growth but has also instilled a deeper appreciation for the role of sustainability in our global society.

Reference 

1. United Nations. (2015). *Sustainable Development Goals*. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
2. Elkington, J. (1997). *Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st century business*. Capstone.
3. World Economic Forum. (2020). *The global risks report 2020*. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-global-risks-report-2020