FEE EcoCampus Stories
WHAT IS done is the ECOCampuses around the world?
École d'Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule, Cambodia
This month, under the leadership of the Eco-Committee members, all students and teachers participated in the identification of the school campus flora and fauna. Students measured multiple plants and trees to map the large diversity of species on campus and recognized 30+ plant species, 40+ tree types, and 15+ species of animals.
Learning about the biodiversity surrounding us is key to raise awareness and protect our environment better.
Munster Technological University, Ireland
As part of a course on environmental & energy engineering, a group of students developed a Biodiverisity Strategy Report to improve the overall ecological diversity on the MTU Bishopstown Campus. This strategy came in response to the university developing a new building on campus which would result in the removal of several mature trees.
The biodiversity strategy report was submitted to the President of the Cork Institute of Technology in March 2020. The president was so impressed with the students' work and enthusiasm that she committed to planting 1000 trees across the Bishoptown campus and later 2000 trees across all 6 campuses of the MTU University.
To date, the students have helped to organise the planting of 412 trees across 2 campuses. This initiative, giving the students a sense of value and ownership, is a great illustration of how students can be actors of change in their school.
Lisbon Institute of Engineering (ISEL), Portugal
Interesting research studies are lead in the Lisbon Institute of Engineering. One of the students is conducting a master thesis on composting on the ISEL Campus. For the compost, he uses residues produced in the campus canteens and adds dry material collected in the campus outdoor gardens. When his lab analysis will be finished, the compost will be used later in the ISEL campus gardens.
Another student analyses the indoor air quality of a specific classroom of the university that was turned in a green classroom full of plants and monitored with a set of sensors. The research study intends to analyse air quality, comparing similar rooms with and without plants. The research also aims to address students well-being and stress in university.
They talk about Eco Campus :
Tiago Faria - Ex-representative of Environmental Health students at the EcoCampus Committee of ESTeSL, Portugal
“Integrating the EcoCampus Committee is to want to be part of the solution and want to be an alternative to the ‘easiest way’. Participating in the EcoCampus Programme is to make a difference and believe that colleges play a key role in environmental education for sustainability. My participation in the EcoCampus began as a student in the 2010/2011 school year, the first year of college implementation, and later as a professor.”
Maria Kirrane - Sustainability Officer at University College Cork, Ireland
"I have worked as Sustainability Officer at UCC for the last two years; in that time we have undergone our third full reassessment for Green Flag status and also been awarded the Gold STARS rating from AASHE. We wouldn’t have achieved that STARS rating if it wasn’t for the way that the Green Flag programme has been implemented in UCC over the last ten years. We have some incredibly engaged and active student and staff champions and, combined with strong commitment of university management, the Green Flag has really become part of UCC.
I am really proud of the genuine improvements that have happened in UCC over the last ten years, and this is thanks to the collaborative approach of the Green Flag programme. The Green Flag doesn’t mean that we are perfect, it means that we are working together to be better. But I think what has been achieved here really demonstrates what’s possible when an organisation really commits. We have a lot more to achieve though and we are all very aware of the urgency of these challenges!"
Vítor Manteigas - EcoCampus Coordinator of ESTeSL, Lisbon, Portugal
“The participation of the Lisbon School of Health Technology (ESTeSL) in the EcoCampus led me into assume the role of “EcoCampus Coordinator”. Thanks to EcoCampus Programme, I have the opportunity, with the academic community which includes teachers, staff and students, to identify the solutions which can improve the environmental performance of our school. Thus, we contribute to reduce carbon emissions!
My participation in the programme helped me to work in network with other schools in Portugal and other countries, which is very interesting since we share our experiences, ideas and good practices in very unique and rewarding moments. I developed knowledge and skills I can use within the scope of the EcoCampus Programme. This work makes energetic and environmental issues relied with health even more interesting and motivating!”
Inês César - Representative of Environmental Health students at the EcoCampus Committee of ESTeS, Lisbon Portugal
"Being part of the EcoCampus Council has been very enriching and I have learned a lot both at the environmental and human levels. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with excellent people who love what they do, to go places and witness things that I never imagined, to meet extraordinary people and to be part of the history of the EcoCampus Program, which I consider so special. If I had the opportunity I would do it again trying to collaborate in the best way possible."
Liz Gabbett - Student at the University of Limerick Green Campus, Ireland
“I am in a unique position as I am a student this year, but for the previous eight years I was a UL Students’ Union staff member. Currently, I am the secretary for the UL Environmental Committee (staff-led). I sat on the UL Green Campus Committee for 3 years. I am an environmentalist, and my particular interest is conserving and enhancing the biodiversity on campus. I am also a beekeeper and annual river clean-up leader/participant.
As part of my Masters programme (Technical Communication and e-Learning) I have incorporated my environmental interests into my projects. I have created a podcast for citizen scientists on how to describe bumblebees, and I have created a learning resource on how to manage plastic waste aimed at the general Irish public.”
Nojuel JC Soluk - Student at Sekolah Menengah St Michael Penampang, Malaysia
“FEE EcoCampus changed my perspectives on things that I once turned a blind eye to and widened my view enabling me to think outside of the box rather than just staying in my comfort zone. Last but certainly not least, the Eco-Schools Programme taught me that despite having different beliefs, different dreams, different races and just being different in general, we humans are still living in ONE planet with ONE mother nature.
Throughout my 4 years being in this programme, I also realised that changes are possible and it is up to us to help make our world a better place so that our future generations could have a chance to live in a world filled with wonders of mother nature.”
Dr. Melvin - Lecturer at University Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
"FEE Ecocampus programme has accelerated the positive mindset development of UMS students from various faculties towards the challenging environmental conservation and education. Through the Seven Steps Methodology, the students are more organised in tackling our environmental issues such as energy and climate change, waste, and so on. Definitely, the collaboration between FEE UMS committee, UMS top management, UMS staffs, local NGOs, and so on, through various awareness activities demonstrated remarkable efforts, which I would always like to see more."