The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) was recently given an award by the Guardian for their new and inspiring campus. The carbon neutral campus is technology focused, ensuring high levels of energy efficiency and features cycling storage and infrastructure to support active travel. In the same month, the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) was awarded Gold status by Green Tourism. Both universities have demonstrated significant commitment to sustainability in higher education that engages staff, students and visitors on campus.
New UWS Lanarkshire Campus has won an award for ‘a sustainable campus for sustainable minds’
In 2018, the University of the West of Scotland opened its new Lanarkshire campus. The campus was part of a £110 million investment with sustainability at its core. Last month, the campus was recognised for its efforts in creating a sustainable and inspiring higher education building and was awarded winner of the 2019 Guardian University Award in the Sustainable Buildings That Inspire category. Powered by 100% renewable energy, the building is one of the UK’s greenest educational environments. The campus is powered by energy from a local wind farm and solar panels while rainwater harvesting collects, filters and pumps water around the campus. The campus has been designed with intelligent travel infrastructure which puts the focus on sustainable travel.
Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of UWS said:
"Since the project to create UWS Lanarkshire began, providing a truly sustainable and inspiring campus was a key focus and we worked hard to design a building which truly represented the values of UWS. Sustainability played a crucial role in the design of all aspects of the campus – resulting in a building students and staff can be extremely proud of. Having the building recognised in this way has thrilled us all."
Recognition for the University of Strathclyde’s sustainability credentials and practices
Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) was recently awarded Gold status by Green Tourism, the highest level of accreditation that they offer. The assessors praised TIC on their green procurement choices and strong green team. Among the many steps taken to achieve their award, they engaged with visitors, staff and clients through the university community garden, Circle Lab, a Glasgow Chamber of Commerce initiative and staff involvement in JUMP, a University programme developed to engage staff in sustainability and wellbeing related activities.
Gordon Hodge, Head of Conferencing and Events at University of Strathclyde said:
“Since TIC welcomes a high proportion of public sector and corporate clients, public recognition of TIC’s sustainable credentials and practices is really important for revenue and reputation. The work that has gone into achieving this accreditation has helped the TIC team to consider and develop elements of the delivery, and to encourage their clients to do the same.”