The University of Queensland has won a 'Green Gown' Award for an innovative sustainability education initiative.
In a national ceremony last night, UQ’s Master of Sustainable Energy took out the ‘Next generation learning and skills’ category, recognising its role in preparing leaders for a more sustainable energy future.
A carbon neutral initiative delivered by the UQ Art Museum and UQ Sustainability was also a finalist in the award program's ‘Creating impact’ category for the University’s first ever carbon neutral certification for the 2022 Oceanic Thinking exhibition.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said she was thrilled the University had been recognised by the Green Gown Awards.
“This achievement reflects UQ’s strong commitment to sustainability across our operations, including our teaching, learning and research endeavours,” Professor Terry said.
“Our innovative Master of Sustainable Energy program takes a multidisciplinary approach to educating leaders for the transition to a net zero energy future with a focus on industry engagement, so graduates are equipped to meet business needs.
The Master of Sustainable Energy will now have the opportunity to compete in the International Green Gown Awards category early next year.
The Green Gown Awards recognise sustainability leadership in the tertiary education sector and cover a range of categories from student engagement to climate action.
They are a global awards program, administered in the Australasian region by Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS), a founding partner of the International Green Gown Awards.
ACTS CEO, Rhiannon Boyd, warmly congratulated all award winners.
“It's been a real privilege to announce the 2023 award winners.
Following a record number of applications this year, and some of the most difficult selections our judges have ever had to make, the winning initiatives reflect creativity, passion and the tangible impact Higher and Further Education institutions have in the transition to a sustainable future," Ms Boyd said.
