• The University , Education , Student

Two-way traffic to help make TU/e sustainable

With the intention of facilitating an introduction, GO Green Office organized a meeting between TU/e’s Sustainability Ambassador Anna Wieczorek and students with a keen interest in sustainability. This interactive get-together involved a short lecture, a discussion, and an assignment.

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photo Norbine Schalij

The In Vivo bar in Traverse, normally the home of study association Protagoras, was just the right spot on Tuesday afternoon for the assembled forty people to get to know Anna Wieczorek, associate professor at Innovation Sciences. As TU/e’s Sustainability Ambassador, she is charged with coordinating all initiatives involved in the transition to a sustainable university. “I want to set up an organizational structure for matters relating to sustainability and start a dialogue with the TU/e community in which we establish a shared vision. As well as what we do on the campus, this must cover our education and research,” she has previously told Cursor.  

The Green Student Community Event proves just the right forum. After a short lecture on ‘Towards Entrepreneurial & Sustainable TU/e’ (clearly conveying the message that growth has a ceiling), Wieczorek talks with those present. The students are studying on various programs and have come here for a wide range of reasons.

In Vivo filled with environmentally conscious students. Photo | Norbine Schalij
Broad audience

An Applied Physics student is keen to learn more about sustainability with a view to choosing a Bachelor’s Graduation Project, a Built Environment student is here because she is part of student team Solid, the president of sports federation ESSF is here because she is organizing a sustainable competition for the affiliated associations. They are all curious to know what role Wieczorek can play.

By contrast, the Sustainability Ambassador is here to ask them questions. Should sustainability be a basic course in the Bachelor College? What do they think of nuclear power? Opinions vary, on both topics. Do the students believe their TU/e education places sufficient focus on achieving a sustainable future? This question is answered with more unanimity. Only a few hands are raised a little way when Wieczorek asks who agrees with this statement.

What do you consider sustainability? Photo | Norbine Schalij
Tips

After the discussion, the students have the chance to decide in groups the role they want to give the Green Student Community and how their own program can help bring about a greener future. They write their ideas on Post-its. A few of the tips transferred to the posters include: atomic fission may be a solution; more research on sustainability is needed; approach the community bottom-up. The latter is precisely what is happening here.

Finally

Wieczorek mentions the new TU/e website on sustainability. Anyone with ideas or questions for GO Green Office can contact the site directly. 

Koen de Nooij, leader of the Groep-één faction, appeals to the students present to take part on April 6 in the mid-term review. The Executive Board hopes this will be an exchange of ideas about its policy with all students. “It’s your chance to say what you think is important for the coming years.”

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