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UM wins international sustainability award

The Maastricht University Green Office won the prestigious 2012 International Sustainable Campus Network oikos Student Leadership Award. The award, conferred for outstanding student initiatives that contribute to sustainability, was presented yesterday evening during the biannual ISCN Symposium in Oregon (USA). The Green Office, a joint student and staff initiative towards a more sustainable university, received the award for its exceptional contribution to green and sustainable campus projects.

The jury deemed the Green Office project a leading example of impact and involvement and a true reflection of the mission and ambitions of oikos and the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN). “This year’s winners truly raise the bar on campus sustainability projects and set an excellent example for campuses around the world,” said Dr Matthew Gardner of ISCN. Project coordinator Ulrich Scharf accepted the award on behalf of the Green Office. He will spend the next three weeks in California to exchange ideas with local sustainability companies and initiatives for the new Green Office Europe Program.

Green Office
The Maastricht University Green Office, a student initiative launched in September 2010, coordinates ecological, social and economic sustainability projects at Maastricht University through open innovation by students and staff.

ISCN and oikos
ISCN is a global forum that offers colleges, universities and campuses the opportunity to exchange information, ideas and best practices in order to facilitate the development of sustainable campus projects and promote a more sustainable approach to research and education. Oikos is the international student organisation for sustainable economics and management and a leading reference point for the promotion of sustainability change agents. The ISCN oikos Student Leadership Award is the result of a partnership between both organisations.