By Émer O’Toole, News Editor
The University was given a sustainability award at a prestigious awards ceremony for UK higher and further education institutions on Monday.
Strathclyde came top in the Continuous Improvement: Institutional Change category of the Green Gown Awards, presented by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC).
The award showcases the University’s ambitious ‘Sustainable Strathclyde’ strategy which includes an aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. Over 20 estates projects, led by students, have also been incorporated into the MSc curriculum.
Stella Matko, Director of Estates Services at Strathclyde, said that Strathclyde is “committed to securing sustainability through a range of measures, including recycling, energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions.”
“We are also investing extensively in our estate to deliver sustainability at Strathclyde and this award shows that we are achieving results.”
The winners of the awards, which are now in their 10th year, were announced at a ceremony at the University of Manchester.
The award nomination illustrated the significance of the University’s energy strategy of partnerships with the local government and social housing and further education sectors.
It also mentioned the role of support from students, encompassing curriculum-linked projects, and a focus on engaging senior staff.
EAUC Chief Executive Iain Patton said: “Our finalists show that sustainability can be the catalyst to ensure that institutions achieve high quality student experiences, provide their students with new skill requirements, increase access and give enhanced value for money.”
Strathclyde was also a finalist in the Facilities and Services category, for its work on segregated waste collection, which simplifies recycling.
The University won in the Social Responsibility category of the 2010 Green Gown Awards, for a scheme to create renewable energy projects in rural areas of Gambia and Malawi where power supplies are uncommon.
