Efforts to Create a Green University: UEH Listed in the UI GreenMetric 2024 Rankings

Efforts to Create a Green University: UEH Listed in the UI GreenMetric 2024 Rankings - Top 956 Globally, Top 6 in Vietnam

21 Jan, 2025

In the effort to create a green and sustainable university with comprehensive steps, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) has made a proud advancement by being included for the first time in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2024, ranking in the Top 956 Universities Worldwide and Top 6 Universities in Vietnam.

The promising result of participating in the ranking for the first time

UI GreenMetric World University Rankings aims at evaluating and recognizing the efforts of universities worldwide in sustainable development, with various criteria related to construction, governance, and education.

In its first participation in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2024, UEH made an impression with a position in the Top 956 globally and Top 6 in Vietnam. This clearly demonstrates a long journey with UEH's persistent efforts to promote sustainable values. Starting from improvements in green spaces and infrastructure, minimizing energy use, as well as promoting renewable energy, effective management of water and waste, to implementing educational and research programs on environmental protection and sustainable development.

Efforts to build a comprehensive green university

In 2024, UI GreenMetric ranks Green Universities based on 51 criteria across 6 main areas including: (1) Settings and Infrastructure (SI); (2) Energy and Climate Change (EC); (3) Waste (WS); (4) Water (WR); (5) Transportation (TR); (6) Education and Research (ED).

UEH is highly regarded in most criteria with the three highest areas as Education and Research (1,300 points), Waste (1,125 points), and Settings and Infrastructure (745 points).

(1) Settings and Infrastructure (SI)

UEH continuously creates a green, clean, beautiful, and nature-friendly space that provides a healthy learning and working environment. In 2024, UEH expanded the green area to 52,345 m² of grass and 25,244 m² of woody plants, accounting for 30% and 15.6% of the facilities' area, marking a turning point in the green transformation strategy. Notably, the English Zone at Campus B - an English learning area – is combined with a relaxation zone that utilizes natural light. Additionally, UEH implemented effective drainage solutions with a drainage space of 87,512 m², making up 65% of the total area, helping to reduce flooding and to alleviate pressure on the public drainage system.

(2) Energy and Climate Change (EC)

Understanding the importance of effective energy use and management, UEH has installed solar power stations with a capacity of over 509,000 kWp at Campuses A, B, and N to maximize the use of renewable energy sources. In 2024, this system produced 470,000 kWh of electricity, reducing approximately 1,270,000 tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting 12,000 trees. This is a testament to UEH's persistent efforts in the green transformation journey and a highlight of sustainable education.

(3) Waste (WS)

In the recent period, over 75% of the programs have been implemented based on the 3R principles (Reduce - Reuse - Recycle) and nearly 10 programs aimed at reducing paper and plastic waste have been organized at UEH campuses. Notable examples include the UEH Go Green Station, the Zeen AI Scan waste classification application, and the i Ve Chai Machine for automatic waste collection to sort waste at the source, ensuring a clean and beautiful campus. Additionally, UEH actively combines interdisciplinary knowledge in changing awareness and green living behaviors within the community through initiatives like the UEH Green Campus Game, the Green Monday Series, along with other communication and advocacy activities.

(4) Water (WR)

Currently, UEH is actively researching and implementing water storage systems. This includes two underground tanks and rooftop storage tanks at the N campus, designed to ensure a stable water supply and effective water conservation. UEH has applied AO technology in wastewater treatment through three stages, which include solid waste removal, bacteria degradation, and filtration before discharge into the environment.

(5) Transportation system (TR)

UEH has launched the "UEH Shuttle Bus" service - a bus line specifically designed for faculty and students of UEH University to travel from the city center to Campus N (Nguyen Van Linh, Binh Chanh District). Officially operating since February 2022, the UEH Shuttle Bus has provided over 20 trips daily with a capacity of 832 passengers, optimizing transportation for staff and students, reducing traffic congestion, and protecting the environment.

(6) Education and Research (ED)

With a strong commitment to training global citizens, UEH has continuously enhanced education and activities related to sustainable development by offering 40 courses and subjects that incorporate knowledge about sustainability. Additionally, every year, UEH organizes over 36 events related to this theme, with 11 activities led by student organizations. These figures demonstrate UEH's efforts to raise awareness and to promote sustainable actions, contributing to the creation of a generation of students who are not only knowledgeable but also actively participate in environmental protection.

The results that UEH has achieved are a testament to our pioneering efforts on the journey to create a green and sustainable university that UEH has been pursuing, aimed at becoming a symbol of sustainable education in the region and the world.

News, photos: UEH Green Campus Project