University of Cyprus has won the "Excellence in Student Leadership" award of the international network ISCN (International Sustainable Campus Network). ISCN is a network of leading Universities from around the world for integrating sustainability into teaching, research, innovation and operational issues of facilities.
Each year, the ISCN conference brings together academics and professionals for a unique opportunity to exchange views and form global collaborations to pursue sustainable development. This year, the conference was hosted by the Royal Institute of Technology (KHI) in Stockholm and attended by 120 different universities and higher education organizations.
Higher Education Institutions have a unique role to play both in the future and in promoting the development of a sustainable society. They are committed to promoting sustainability for tomorrow's leaders, developing solutions and methods to address a sustainable future and ensuring the contribution of knowledge to society. They also need to ensure that day-to-day operations and practices are consistent with a sustainable future and should work towards integrating sustainability holistically into their mission.
The ISCN Excellence Award Ceremony, which recognizes universities for extraordinary efforts in four separate categories, was held during the conference. University of Cyprus has won the “Excellence in Student Leadership” Award, which is awarded for programs or campaigns that contribute to sustainability and encourages students to take initiatives that aim at it. University of Cyprus has submitted the SAVES program aimed at raising energy consciousness among students by organizing energy saving competitions and other training activities on rational use of energy. The project, funded by the European Commission and involving 14 universities from 7 European countries, has begun in 2014 with very good results.
"It was an honour for us to reward these efforts and to offer global recognition that shows leadership in sustainable development. The projects submitted this year were innovative, creative, and provided numerous examples of how we can improve sustainability at universities", said Ms. Zena Harris, Executive Director of ISCN.
Mr. Kostas Charalambous received the award on behalf of the University of Cyprus and congratulated all SAVES project partners, especially students who have embraced the project. He wished the prize to serve as a tool for strengthening the efforts of the University of Cyprus to achieve the goal of a green university.
The following universities were also awarded in the categories:
· Building and Innovative Infrastructure Award: University of Copenhagen, Denmark
· Campus Planning and Management Systems Award: Stanford University, United States
· Innovative Collaboration Award: Freie Universität of Berlin, Germany