2024 marks the 4th anniversary of the UEH Green Campus Project, starting the mission of creating a green, clean, beautiful learning environment aiming for a healthy lifestyle and promoting the spirit of environmental protection in the student community. Over the past year, the Project has implemented many important and strategic activities in their attempts to build a Green University, and has made their mark with many impressive results in creating the premise for future environmental initiatives.
UEH Green Campus Project achievements in 2024
Detailed report: https://go.ueh.edu.vn/Baocao-UEHGreenCampus2024
Effective Operation - New Milestones in the Waste Treatment Process at UEH Source
As a key effort in the UEH Green Campus project, waste classification at University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) is implemented through innovative models and solutions like the Green Practice Station with waste classification models 3 and 7, contributing to realizing the goal of building a green, clean, and sustainable university environment.
From August 2023 to December 2024, UEH has synchronously implemented waste classification and recycling processes that collected more than 6.4 tons of waste. Of which, 5.6 tons of recyclable waste is managed through the Closed Circulation System, ensuring the collection and recycling process meets standards. In addition, more than 720 kg of plastic bottles and aluminum cans have been collected through the i Ve Chai Machine automatic collection machine - an interesting initiative with the familiar slogan: "Who collects bottles?", attracting enthusiastic responses from UEH students. All of this recyclable waste is transferred to partners such as VECA, Ve Chai Chu Hoa and Botol to enter the intensive recycling process.
In addition to the goal of minimizing the amount of waste released into the environment, waste classification activities contribute to raising community awareness at UEH. Students, lecturers, staff and workers are encouraged to practice waste classification at the source, aiming to realize the goal of "Green University" and "Zero-waste University" at UEH.
Launching 6 products of the Green University Ecosystem
In 2024, UEH pioneered the launch of 6 products of the Green University Ecosystem, marking a major step in the journey to build an educational environment associated with sustainable values.
Product 01: UEH Green Campus Game
The UEH Green Campus Game platform was deployed as part of the 2024 Orientation Activities, and has received enthusiastic responses from the student community. The platform is an application of game simulation technology (gamification), with 04 rounds corresponding to 4 levels of action for individuals to be able to manage their waste and 1 round of green actions that can be taken at UEH. With more than 16,000 experiences and 9,270 student participants, the game has become a unique learning and entertainment tool, helping students gain a deeper understanding of sustainable values. In particular, more than 600 students achieved perfect scores in 5 rounds.
UEH Green Campus Game as a gamification project to raise awareness and green capacity for UEH students
Product 02: i Ve Chai Machine
The automatic scrap collecting machine - “i Ve Chai Machine” located at UEH, under Botol, is a smart device that collects and recycles plastic bottles and aluminum cans at the source. With the ability to automatically classify and crush materials on the spot, the machine shortens the recycling process from 11 traditional steps to 3 steps, helping to optimize efficiency, save resources and promote a sustainable green lifestyle.
Since August 2024, automatic scrap collecting machines have been installed at campuses A, B and N, marking a step in applying technology to sustainable development. To date, the system has collected nearly 25,000 plastic bottles and 9,800 metal cans, reducing CO2 emissions by 1,726.45 kg, saving 134,755 liters of water and 11,177.28 kWh of electricity.
Table: Results of collection from the i Ve Chai machine (August to November 2024)
No. |
Index |
Unit |
Total (8 - 11/2024) |
1 |
Plastic bottle |
Bottle |
24.980 |
2 |
Aluminum can |
can |
9.773 |
3 |
Weight |
Kg |
720,27 |
4 |
Water saving |
Liter |
134.755 |
5 |
Electricity saving |
kWh |
11.177,28 |
6 |
CO2 emission relduction |
Kg |
1.746,45 |
UEH students' responses to "selling scrap" with I Ve Chai Machine
Product 03: Sustainable Subject
After researching and developing the curriculum, since 2024, the subject "Sustainable Development" has been officially included in the training programs at UEH, becoming one of the six compulsory subjects for all programs. This is a strategic step to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to face global challenges while promoting sustainable development.
The subject "Sustainable Development" not only provides a solid theoretical foundation but also encourages students to think creatively, seek innovative solutions, and effectively apply the principles of sustainable development into practice. Efforts to integrate sustainability knowledge into the curriculum have contributed to helping students better understand their role in protecting the environment while also raising their sense of social responsibility, preparing them to become global leaders and citizens towards sustainability.
Product 04: "Towards No Single-Use Plastics Future" Campaign
On October 19, 2024, the "Towards No Single-Use Plastics Future" Campaign was officially launched at Campus V, opening up a space for learning and practical actions to contribute to improving waste problems right on campus. The campaign is one of UEH's strategic products in the journey to reduce single-use plastic waste and to promote the community to practice a sustainable lifestyle by calling for two main actions: #SortingForChange - emphasizing proper waste sorting to support recycling, and #ReduceForMore - calling for reducing the consumption of single-use plastics. Concurrently, the campaign introduces to the community 9 actions to help minimize single-use plastic in life, including (1) Bring your own reusable shopping bags, (2) Reduce the use of plastic bags, (3) Bring your own food and utensils, (4) Bring reusable cups and bottles, (5) Prepare a zero-waste lunch, (6) Eat on-site, skip take-out and delivery, (7) Say no to straws and eating utensils made from single-use plastic, (8) Avoid food with multiple layers of packaging, and (9) Share this tip with friends.
At campus V, the University implements "No Single-use Plastic Day" on the last Wednesday of every month to promote a lifestyle of saying no to single-use plastic thoroughly and effectively. In addition to encouraging the community to practice green habits, the campaign organizes many sideline activities such as exhibitions of environmentally friendly products and educational experiences on sustainable lifestyles. Through these activities, students raised awareness regarding the harmful effects of single-use plastics and were inspired to choose environmentally friendly alternatives.
Students participating in the No Single-use Plastic Quiz at the campaign launching event
Product 05: Calories Stair
Calories Stair is a staircase decoration project at UEH's B1, B2 and N1 buildings to convey the spirit of green and healthy living by minimizing the use of elevators. With its creative ideas, Calories Stair encourages UEHers to change their daily habits at UEH campuses.
UEH Green Campus Calories Stairs is not just a walkway but also an inspirational space with vivid decorative images, positive messages and fun drawings. Each step is designed to display the specific amount of calories burned, making it easy for people to see the health benefits of using stairs. In addition, UEH also launched the "Calorie Challenge" in the student community, with the message that every small step every day will be a big step in spreading the spirit of green living, connecting and raising awareness of environmental protection in the community.
UEH Green Campus Calories Stair with encouraging messages for UEHers when using the stairs
Product 06: Let's Green Unitour
Let's Green Unitour is a project implemented by the Sustainable University Project Board, members of the UEH Green Campus project and the UEH Youth Union - Student Association to raise awareness and to change environmental behavior for students in Vietnam by creating a space to visit and experience products of the Green University Ecosystem at UEH, inspiring and replicating the UEH Green University Model to other universities, creating a sustainable ecosystem connecting the school with business organizations in the circular economy community with the ultimate goal of creating a Green University network in Vietnam.
The project was successfully piloted at the University of Finance and Marketing within the framework of the "New Generation Students 2024" competition, attracting more than 500 students to participate. Outstanding activities like sharing the Green University model, organizing interactive games and spreading the message of sustainable development have made a strong impression. The program provides opportunities to learn environmental protection solutions and promotes a sense of social responsibility towards building a green and sustainable educational community.
UEH spreading the Green University Model through “Let’s Green Day”
Various programs, events and activities to spread green lifestyles within the framework of the Project
2024 witnessed the remarkable development of activities within the framework of the UEH Green Campus Project for learners, contributing significantly to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Over the past year, nearly 58 green programs, events and activities were implemented, attracting the enthusiastic participation of more than 50,000 learners and staff. In particular, 2,500 students actively participated in 3 green volunteer campaigns, contributing to spreading awareness of environmental protection. In addition, the green lifestyle communication campaign on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok has reached nearly 100,000 students, creating a strong influence in promoting sustainable living habits. The most prominent activities include:
· Launching the Green Volunteer team participating in implementing UEH culture;
· More than 21 booths to learn about UEH Green Campus, the waste classification models 3 and 7 with the 3R-1A theme; green economy are integrated into the Green Day festivals every quarter;
· 15 workshops on making recycled products/products from environmentally friendly materials;
· 10 talkshows on the circular economy and sustainable development;
· 12 activities on student experiences organized by the UEH Youth Union - Association at all levels.
UEH GREENZONE Exhibition at RTD 2024
Research efforts in the student and faculty community at UEH
One of the important activities in the UEH Green Campus project is to carry out scientific research activities for students and faculty, aiming to solve problems related to environmental protection and sustainable development. These studies are carried out at different levels: from the university level and college level to the school/institute level.
Promoting research in the student community, UEH has organized many academic competitions related to Green Campus, including 5 large-scale competitions for students on topics related to circular economy and sustainable development. In addition, in 2024, UEH Green Campus also launches the UEH Green Researcher Community - Research, cooperation and knowledge sharing towards a green campus and more.
Living Lab, a research model on sustainable solutions in the living environment, has 71 research articles on the topic of sustainability, which is the result of UEH's annual scientific research activities in the Young Researcher Award and UEH 500 oriented according to the topics set by Living Lab Green Campus. Of which,
· 31 research articles were on behavior change (waste classification, 3R practice);
· 1 research article was about the practice of Reduction;
· 8 research articles were proposed scientific and technological solutions;
· 4 research articles were concerned turning waste into recycled resources and circular economy using technology: innovation initiatives;
· 6 research articles were regarded effective communication and educational programs/campaigns;
· 5 research articles were on the role of carbon credits in achieving carbon neutrality;
· 16 research articles were related to the topic of green living in the Student Economics Event Commentary Series.
The Living Lab research projects have contributed 47 practical solutions, effectively supporting the implementation of the five main pillars: Education, Research, Operations, Governance, and Community - the foundation for building a sustainable University at UEH. These solutions not only help solve environmental challenges but are also initiatives that contribute to the Project's Annual Plan to promote sustainable development on campus and spread to the community.
Promoting research in the faculty community, Green Campus topics have been integrated into research programs, helping to expand the interest and application of sustainable solutions in large-scale research activities of the university, from the faculty level to the school level. Notable among them is the GS4Infra Project in Cu Lao Dung district, Soc Trang. In addition to research activities, the project also promotes research and development (R&D) of innovative technology products to support the Green University model. One of the innovative applications is the artificial intelligence product - UEH Green Campus AI Scan to Classify, which helps students classify waste at the source.
Students experiencing the UEH Go Green Station and UEH Green Campus AI Scan to Classify
Expanding connections, spreading the Green University model to the community
Within the framework of the "UEH Green Campus 2024" project, UEH has closely cooperated with many external organizations and businesses to spread the Green University model and promote a sustainable lifestyle.
In 2024, UEH received financial support of VND 450,000,000 from the Green Future Fund of Vingroup to replicate the Green University model to 10 Universities in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, UEH has shared sustainable solutions and how the Green University model works with units such as ANZ Bank, District 7 Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam-Germany University, University of Finance - Marketing, and nearly 10 international companies and corporations in the field of circular economy.
“UEH Green Campus’s Green Partner”, spreading the Green University model to Vietnam-Germany University - VGU Green Inspiration
The outstanding achievements of the UEH Green Campus Project in the past year mark a strong step in the university’s efforts to build a Green University aiming for sustainable development. Based on these successes, UEH has laid the foundation to continue implementing long-term strategies, promoting research, sustainable development and expanding cooperation. Concurrently, the university focuses on sharing knowledge and supporting the community aiming for a pioneering role in the field of education and environmental protection. The current results are the driving force for UEH to go further, affirming their position as a leading university in terms of the era of sustainable development./.
News, photos: UEH Green Campus project