05/06/2024
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Launched in 2021, the UEH Green Campus project (formerly named as UEH Zero Waste) aims to realize the pillar of Green Operation "From Circular to Green Campus" – one of the five pillars of the UEH Multidisciplinary and Sustainable Strategy. The project is organized and operated based on the Living Lab model across five areas: Training, Research, Governance, Operations, and Community. Through dedicated efforts, over the past three years, the project has helped UEH reduce landfill waste by 4 tons by implementing waste sorting and transforming waste into resources for the recycling industry.
The Living Lab model, also known as a Living Laboratory, is an innovative ecosystem operated with a user-centered approach. Its core component is innovation and technology, aiming to address real environmental issues at UEH. This operates on the foundation of connecting the linkages of Training – Research – Operations – Governance – Community within UEH. It also serves as a space where UEHers can learn, research, and practice environmental issues right on the university campus, discovering solutions that can be scaled up significantly.
After three years of operation, the project has achieved numerous positive results along with significant milestones!
GREEN CAMPUS
OVERALL ACHIVEMENTS OF THE PROJECT
4 tons – Recyclable waste classified and transferred to the collection and recycling processing unit from October 2023 to March 2024.
25 - 50% – Staff and students of UEH are aware of Green University regulations and 3R principles at UEH.
71 papers – Scientific researches by students and lecturers on 06 topics of the Living Lab Green Campus.
100% – Staff and students of UEH are aware of the existence of the project and the phrases "Green Campus" and "Zero Waste Campus."
Nearly 40 – Programs, events, and activities promoting a green, zero-waste lifestyle have been implemented by units within UEH, attracting participation from more than 10,000 students and staff.
More than 150 – Articles published during the 3 years of the Green Campus project.
Averaged over 2,000 views per article, reaching up to 1,600,000 people and over 1,500 users accessing monthly.
TRAINING: Integrating environmental knowledge and green living into every lecture
Providing and conveying knowledge regarding Green Campus and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations to students is essential, creating a foundation and premise for raising awareness among the younger generation. Therefore, UEH students have been introduced to knowledge concerning the environment, interdisciplinary approaches, and sustainability from the very first days at UEH through the Political Education Week at the beginning of the term, foundational courses listed as Sustainable Development, and practical projects in subjects like Digital Marketing, Public Relations, and Co-design.
Additionally, the application of game simulation technology (gamification) has been developed and is being refined to effectively implement smart education for students regarding waste classification and the 3R model, as well as behavior change.
RESEARCH: Contributing solutions to those issues on the UEH campus and scaling up
In the period from 2021 to 2025, LLGC has established six important research themes that need to be specifically examined, including: Behavior Change, Demand Change, Technical Issue, Circular Economy, Efficient Communication, Education Program, and The Role of Carbon Credits in Achieving Carbon Neutrality. The expected output will be practical solutions applied to address the issues directly on UEH campuses and have the potential to be scaled up in other units or larger contexts.
Accordingly, 71 research papers on sustainability have been tangible products of this outcome. These include:
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31 research papers on behavior change (waste classification, 3R practices);
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1 research paper on reduction practices;
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8 research papers proposing scientific and technological solutions;
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4 research papers on turning waste into recyclables, circular economy through technology: innovative initiatives;
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6 research papers on effective communication and educational programs/campaigns;
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5 research papers on the role of carbon credits in achieving carbon neutrality;
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16 research papers on green living in the comments section of economic student events.
Some notable topics that won the A award include "Proposing a sustainable supply chain model in the fashion sector in Vietnam" (Technical issue), "The intention to adopt electric vehicles in Vietnam: Applying UTAUT2" (Behavior change), and "The negative communication factors related to brands and emotions leading to green purchase intentions: a case study of Generation Z in Ho Chi Minh City" (Efficient Communication and Education Program).
The research and development (R&D) efforts have also officially produced the handbook "I - Green UEHer Citizen," enabling UEHers to easily practice and move toward a green lifestyle within the university campus and their daily living environment. Along with that are two outstanding technological initiatives: (i) An application to assist in identifying and classifying waste based on machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data; (ii) Green Campus Game to educate on environmental knowledge, the 3Rs, waste classification, and green living through a "gamified" approach.
OPERATION: Integrating green operational principles into each campus
The research models of the project have been and are being implemented within UEH campuses. The Go Green Station waste classification practice station, with two classify models of 3 and 7, has been installed and designed in various areas across the 7 facilities in Ho Chi Minh City (A, N, V, B, H, E, D) and UEH Vinh Long, making it easy for UEHers to classify waste. The recycling waste circular model has also been initiated with 3 classification levels: (i) students/staff classify at the station; (ii) cleaning staff classify at the collection area on each floor; (iii) partners classify after collection.
Illustration: Classification model 3
Illustration: Classification model 7
GOVERNANCE: Integrating Green University principles for individuals and units
To successfully implement the Green University model, UEH has officially issued the Green Campus Practice Regulations regarding the principles of practice and access to green universities, the responsibilities of each individual/unit, and promoting waste classification and 3R practices and so on. These practices are applied across all of UEH's campuses, including UEH - Vinh Long. Alongside this, a detailed set of activity plans has been coordinated and implemented by units each year.
COMMUNITY: Spreading awareness and forming a pioneering community living green for the environment
The four-day Green Day event connected partners within the same field and attracted over 60,000 engagements, with more than 3,000 students participating. This created opportunities for students to access valuable knowledge related to the projects and experience green living activities like exchanging waste for gifts and product refills and so on. A total of 24 workshops / seminars / conferences and 10 contests / programs / challenges / media campaigns with diverse content and formats focused on environmental themes, Green Campus, and SDGs have been implemented to give students the chance to practice green living and apply their knowledge in joint efforts to protect their learning and working environment, aiming at a sustainable future. This is an effort to build and to shape a community that spreads knowledge, changes behaviors, pioneers environmental protection, safeguards the planet, and establishes a green living culture and more through empowering each learner to be creative and to organize relevant activities.
The journey of UEH Green Campus has undergone three years of relentless efforts and striving. With the positive results that have been established thus up to the current time, UEH believes that, this UEH Green Campus project, will have a positive impact not only on UEHers but also on future generations, communities, and society towards sustainable development goals.
*Refer to the full UEH Green Campus Project Report 2021-2023 HERE!
