How do students see the future of our University? As part of My Green University competition, research clubs presented their proposals for changes that lead to sustainable development at UG. Two projects were awarded: 'Organisation of cycling infrastructure at the University of Gdańsk' and 'Sustainable development also pays off'.

Poverty reduction, access to education, climate action and gender equality are just a few of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN in 2015. For My Green University competition, students could only submit projects that would support action towards these ideas. At the same time, the entries should have fit into the Green University strategy prepared by UG and CZRUG.

The My Green University competition was organised by prof. Arnold Kłonczyński, in cooperation with the UG Centre for Sustainable Development (CZRUG), the Student Parliament and the Centre for Student and Doctoral Activities. It aims to encourage students to present their own proposals for the future of the university. The competition was held under the patronage of the Rector of UG, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski.

On February 4, dr hab. Arnold Kłonczyński, prof. UG, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Quality, together with dr Krzysztof Szczepaniak, deputy director of the Centre for Sustainable Development, presented awards to two scientific circles that had submitted the most interesting proposals.

The Scientific Club Balkanika received the prize of 3000 PLN for the project 'Organisation of cycling infrastructure at the University of Gdańsk'. - 'We have proposed a project concerning the improvement of the cycling infrastructure at the University campus. Our priority is to adapt the University of Gdańsk to the reality of a constantly changing world and to promote ecological transport solutions among students,' - said Julia Dudzińska, who received the award together with her tutor, mgr Dominik Bień.

The second winning project is 'Sustainable development also pays off,' developed by the Inwestor Scientific Club from the Faculty of Management. - 'Our project is about educating people to invest in sustainable development and in a sustainable way. Above all, it is based on the practical dimension of sustainable development, so that we not only understand the concept but also know how to implement various aspects of sustainable development, perceive its potential even in small activities that we perform,' - explains Anna Ciska from the Inwestor Research Club. She received the prize of 3000 PLN together with her mentor, dr Krzysztof Kowalke.

Congratulations to the winners!

The Green University Programme aims to inspire, encourage and support the academic community of the University of Gdańsk to transform the university and its facilities into a green, resource-efficient and low-emission campus network located in Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia and surrounding areas. The implementation of the programme will lead to a system-wide integration of the principles of sustainable development throughout the university and in all aspects of its activities, wherever this is possible and feasible. This initiative will lead to an improvement in the University's sustainability performance and provide support to all stakeholders embarking on their sustainability journey.

CZRUG, in collaboration with the academic community, intends to prepare the toolkit necessary to transform the university into a green and low-emission institution capable of performing against negative climate change, increasing resource efficiency, improving ecosystem management and minimising the amount of waste and pollution emitted into the environment. To effectively support this journey and other transformational processes, the University needs a set of effective tools structured to help focus on sustainable planning, design, development and management of the University campus. This ties in closely with the University's core mission and activities of education, research and dissemination of its results.