UWC Africa’s greenest campus for third time

THE continent’s greenest university is still on our doorstep. For the third time, the University of the Western Cape was crowned Africa’s Greenest Campus at the 7th Annual Green Campuses Conference.

Nearly 400 students from universities across the country attended the conference, sharing ideas and discussing initiatives around the theme “Land and marine pollution”.

The conference was co-hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Durban University of Technology (DUT), in partnership with the Association of College and University Housing Officers International, Southern Africa chapter.

This is an independent higher education student programme that addresses climate change challenges facing universities, colleges and communities.

It’s based on the notion that campuses that address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and integrate sustainability into their curricula will benefit students and help create a thriving, modern community.

UWC deputy vice-chancellor for student development and support Professor Pam Dube said the award was a recognition of UWC’s efforts at developing a greener, more environmentally friendly university by researchers, recyclers and students.

“It takes a whole campus to come together this way. But it doesn’t mean we get to rest on our laurels.

“Building a better, cleaner, more sustainable future is a lifetime project, and we should never stop trying to do it better. That’s the only way we can solve the challenges facing us all,” Dube said.

UWC was also elected national Green Campus of the Year in 2012, the inaugural year of the Green Campuses Conference, and in 2014.

Professor Poovendree Reddy, from the environmental health department at DUT, said a green campus could be realised with a concerted effort from all partners.

“There is a need for academics to be involved. They need to leave their offices and get involved because they are also parents to students.

“As academics, we have an obligation to our students to do right,” Reddy said.

UWC’s Green Campus Initiative chapter consists of about 2000 student volunteers who participate in various campus clean-ups, create vegetable and indigenous gardens at residences, participate in formal green talks and debates, and host green-awareness-raising activities.