Harper Adams shortlisted for Green Gowns
University College in final for continuous improvement
Harper Adams University College has this week been revealed as a shortlisted applicant for the 2012 Green Gown Awards.
The University College is a finalist in the “Continuous Improvement” category of the awards, which recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors across the UK.
Being shortlisted in the category also puts Harper Adams forward for an International Green Gown, up against finalists from Australasia.
The Harper Adams entry demonstrated real progress in developing sustainability measures on campus, including local food sourcing, reduction of student energy consumption, the development of the anaerobic digestion facility, building regeneration and high levels of recycling. The University College now has to put more evidence in front of the judges in stage 2, before the winners are revealed at a gala dinner in November.
Principal, Dr David Llewellyn, said: “We could not have hoped for a better start to the 2012/13 academic year than to be shortlisted for a national award for our impact on sustainability in the higher education sector. The Green Gown Awards are highly regarded in our sector and we are delighted that the hard work of our staff and students has been recognised in this way.
“It is vital that the sector keeps up the momentum on this important element of its work, which is so important to our students and to the long term viability of our institutions, as well as to the wider environment”, Dr Llewellyn added.
“Given the pressure we are all under, it is heartening to see the sustainability excellence being pioneered in our sector. Environmental and social innovation and responsibility is coming of age as we all work harder to run more efficient and accountable institutions,” says Iain Patton, Chief Executive of the EAUC – the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges.
“The quality of the applications has been very high and creating a shortlist was incredibly difficult.
We are now looking forward to learning more about the successful projects in Stage 2 of the process, and ultimately to unveiling the winners of the 2012 Green Gown Awards in November”.
The Green Gown Awards, administered by the EAUC and governed by a cross-agency steering group, provide universities, colleges and the learning and skills sector with benchmarks for excellence and are well respected by governments, funding councils, senior managers, academics and students alike. The awards also now have an international presence. The Australasian Green Gown Awards have been established since 2010 and are run by Australasia CampusesTowards Sustainability (ACTS).
Applications to the UK’s 2012 Awards were received across 14 categories, including the new “Modernisation - Effectiveness and Efficiency in the Estate” and “Best Newcomer” categories.
Also new this year is the International Green Gown Award with the UK winners from the Continuous Improvement, Social Responsibility and Student Initiatives and Campaigns categories going head-to-head with the winners from Australasia.
Shortlisted applications to the 2012 Green Gown Awards can be found at www.greengownawards.org.uk.
Jaclyn Green,
Corporate Communications Manager
Harper Adams University College,
Shropshire,
TF10 8NB
01952 815291 (office)
07929 798561 (mobile)
Harper Adams University College is the UK's leading specialist provider of higher education for the rural and land-based industries. Our mission is to deliver higher education and research for the delivery of a sustainable food chain and rural economy. To see how Harper Adams can help you, visit www.harper-adams.ac.uk
Tags: