policy

ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUKHOTHAI THAMMATHIRAT OPEN UNIVERSITY

Policy for the Development of Green University, 5-Year Period (2023 – 2027)

This outlines a 5-year period from 2023 to 2027 aimed at developing the university into a green institution. It focuses on six key areas to support the university’s ranking in green university assessments.

  •  Increase green spaces: Continuously expand green areas by planting trees, conserving native plant, and replanting within the university.
  • Ensure safety: Provide emergency exits, emergency buttons, assembly points, maintaining safety infrastructure, emergency response plans, and evacuation drills.
  • Promote a healthy environment: Create a conducive work and learning environment by ensuring good environmental health and safety for all staff and students.
  •  Reduce energy consumption: Promote energy conservation in all areas, including air conditioning, lighting, office equipment, and fuel.
  • Develop green buildings: Encourage the development and renovation of buildings to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
  • Utilize energy-efficient equipment: Replace equipment with energy-efficient models, maintain them regularly, and replace them as needed.
  • Adopt green technologies: Implement modern and environmentally friendly technologies to reduce energy consumption.
  • Utilize renewable energy: Promote the use of solar energy for electricity generation and wastewater treatment.
  • Install EV charging stations: Support the installation of electric vehicle charging stations on campus.
  • Procure green products: Promote the procurement of environmentally friendly goods and services to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Raise awareness: Educate staff, students, and the public about energy conservation, resource efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon footprints.
  •  Efficient waste management: Implement effective waste management systems for waste, chemicals, and wastewater from source to disposal.
  • Water treatment: Encourage the treatment and reuse of wastewater on campus.
  • Develop wastewater treatment plans: Develop and maintain effective wastewater treatment systems to control water pollution and prevent wastewater from entering natural water bodies.
  • Go paperless: Promote the use of electronic documents such as application forms, payslips, tax certificates, and online information systems.
  • Promote 3Rs: Educate staff, students, and the public about the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and promote sustainable waste management.
  • Encourage proper waste disposal: Raise awareness about proper waste disposal according to designated areas.
  •  Utilize water-efficient fixtures: Replace fixtures with water-efficient models, maintain them regularly, and replace them as needed.
  • Promote water conservation: Educate staff, students, and the public about water conservation and the importance of avoiding waste and chemical disposal into water sources.
  •  Ensure traffic safety: Implement traffic safety measures such as speed
    limits and signage.
  • Promote walking and cycling: Encourage the use of bicycles and walking
            for on-campus transportation..
  •  Integrate environmental education: Offer courses or short-term training on environment and sustainability.
  • Offer environmental courses: Provide short courses and training programs on environmental and sustainability topics.
  • Support environmental research: Fund research in environmental and sustainability fields and national and international academic publication as per Google Scholar index.
  • Promote student involvement: Support student clubs and community service activities related to the environment and sustainability.
  • Collaborate internationally: Foster collaborations with international institutions on sustainability initiatives. Promote incorporation of environmental or sustainability content and learning activities in academic programs and student activities.

 

All departments shall procure environmentally friendly materials and equipment.

Administrators shall promote and allocate budgets for environmental and sustainability activities.