Ruamrudee International School has been named the winner of the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Global High Schools East Asia and Pacific category. Announced in Abu Dhabi, the award recognises the school’s innovative ‘Future of Good Life’ project, which addresses the environmental impact of rice farming.
A Student Led Innovation for Sustainable Farming
The ‘Future of Good Life’ project introduces the Alternate Wetting and Drying method in rice cultivation. This approach reduces water usage and lowers methane emissions, offering a more sustainable farming solution.
Students also developed a low cost sensor known as RiceSense, which monitors water levels and GPS data. This technology helps farmers optimise irrigation, reduce emissions and potentially qualify for carbon credits. In addition, students are actively leading farmer training and awareness initiatives to encourage widespread adoption of sustainable practices.
Impact on Students and Farming Communities
The project is expected to benefit around 1,200 students and 150 teachers while extending its reach to farming communities across Thailand. It supports farmer training, promotes carbon credit participation and contributes to measurable environmental improvements.
Farmers using the method can reduce methane emissions by up to 40 percent and save approximately 750 cubic metres of water per growing cycle, making a meaningful contribution to sustainable agriculture.
Recognition from Global Leaders
“We are extremely proud of our students for taking our school’s name to the global stage through the ‘Future of Good Life’ project. Their ability to combine creativity and empathy into something that transforms the meaning of sustainable farming is astonishing. Being recognised as a finalist for the Zayed Sustainability Prize motivates our entire school community to keep developing changemakers for a sustainable tomorrow.”
Dr. James (Jim) O’Malley, Principal of Ruamrudee International School
Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, commended the school’s achievement:
“The Zayed Sustainability Prize empowers young people to rethink the systems that sustain us. Ruamrudee International School’s students are combining innovation and local knowledge to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient. They are proving that today’s learners can be tomorrow’s leaders in sustainability.”
Supporting Future Growth
The US 150,000 dollar award will support the expansion of the RiceSense technology, strengthen environmental education programmes and enhance collaboration with local farmers. This funding will help scale sustainable rice cultivation practices across Thailand.
A Global Platform for Impact
The Zayed Sustainability Prize honours organisations and schools delivering impactful solutions across health, food, energy, water, climate action and education. Since its launch, the prize has positively impacted more than 400 million people worldwide, continuing the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Since 2013, 68 high schools have been recognised under the Global High Schools category, collectively benefiting tens of thousands of students and communities around the world.
