The sustainability team at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) has been nominated for two Green Gown Awards
The team has made it to the shortlist for the Sustainability Reporting category which aims to assess the quality and relevance of sustainability reporting offered throughout the publicly available information provided by institutions.
QMUL has also been shortlisted for the new Employability category which aims to measure how sustainability can be used to enhance graduate attributes and employability. These may arise from activities within the curriculum as well as be part of extra curricula initiatives.
Sara Aziz, Energy and Sustainability Officer, said: “It is fantastic to be shortlisted for both the Sustainability Reporting and Employability Green Gown Award categories this year. We only have a small team but we work really hard and it’s great to get some recognition externally for this.”
The QMUL annual report provides an overview of sustainability across QMUL and describes how it is inextricably linked to the university's values, heritage and fundamental purpose. It also highlights examples of the positive economic, social and environmental impacts QMUL has made over the last 12 months.
Sara added: “Our sustainability report is completed entirely in-house and we have begun to follow the GRI G4 sustainability reporting guidelines. We have managed to create a quality report with minimum expenditure, highlighting the great capability of our team and the work that we are able to lead on and be a part of throughout the university.”
The team also dedicates one week each year to educating students about the sustainability related jobs on offer post-graduation. From a careers ‘speed meet’ with professionals from across the sector to a careers fair and online blog series, students have the opportunity to begin networking and find out more about pursuing a career in the environmental sector.
“We work with students on our sustainability careers week to continue to inspire them, regardless of the subject that they are studying, that they can have a positive impact whether that is through the jobs they choose after graduating or through volunteering in their spare time. Our events, in particular the speed meet, are original and interesting and I think what makes us stand apart from other universities,” says Sara.
She added: “We can’t wait to continue to build on this amazing work and continue to make sustainability at QMUL even bigger and better.”
The Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges. With sustainability moving up the agenda, the Awards have become established as the most prestigious recognition of best practice within the further and higher education sector.
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