Unitec Institute of Technology won the ‘Trailblazer Not-for-Profit Award’ of the NZI National Sustainable Business Network at the Presentation Ceremony held at The Cloud in Auckland City on November 22.
The Award recognises organisations that show excellence in sustainable business practices. The panel of judges commended Unitec for its innovative leadership role, demonstrating balance of social, environmental and professional goals.
“Its values are reflected in how staff engage and communicate with students and the community, how they behave and interact with stakeholders, and their partnerships with other institutions and organisations.”
Unitec Environmental Sustainability Manager Carolyn Cox said that she was thrilled to receive the Award and that the institution has sustainable business practices in three campuses.
“This is not about one person doing something. Unitec has over 160 staff and student eco-reps, who are passionate about a wide range of projects implemented since our Environmental Sustainability Strategy was launched 18 months ago,” she said.
According to her, the projects involve staff, students and researchers and that Unitec became the first tertiary institution in New Zealand to sign the UN Commitment to Sustainable Practices of Higher Education Institutions last year.
The institution developed an on-line Environmental Management System and initiated activities such as Bike Wise month and car-pooling services, she said.
Ms Cox said that keeping Unitec campuses clean and green has been a part of the institution’s environment strategy.
“We planted 1600 native plants as the first stage of restoring the Mt Albert campus Wairaka Stream. Staff mini-bins, double-sided printing, establishing a sustainable arboretum and food scraps composting are some of the initiatives that have been put in place,” she said.
She said that Unitec had reinforced its commitment to sustainability through a number of projects, including use of green building practices in the new whare kai, worm farms at the Waitakere and Albany campuses and two on-site childcare centres in Mt Albert.
Unitec maintains its commitment to integrating sustainability across all programmes offered to students.
It also provides students opportunities to experience sustainable environmental practices and solutions and enable them to produce positive benefits.
Unitec was the sponsor of the ‘Best Medium-Sized Business’ Category of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards Presentation Ceremony held at Sky City Convention Centre on Monday, November 19, 2012.
