NUI Galway has joined an elite group of universities across the world by being recognised with a STARS Gold rating for its sustainability achievements.
The rating was earned following a review by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) under its STARS rating system.
NUI Galway is one of just 133 universities worldwide to earn the STARS Gold rating for sustainability.
The achievement comes on the back of several years hard work, from the establishment of the Community and University Sustainability Partnership (CUSP) in 2015 under the direction of the Deputy President and Registrar Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, to the appointment of the University’s inaugural Sustainability Officer in 2019, Michelle O’Dowd Lohan.
A wide ranging sustainability framework was also rolled out, led by the CUSP chair Professor Jamie Goggins.
President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said that sustainability is one of the University’s core values.
“We should look upon the Gold rating for our work in this area as testament to our endeavours in that regard,” said Professor hÓgartaigh.
“I often speak about our University being here for the public good – as the world meets in Glasgow, recognition of this nature, putting us at NUI Galway on a par with some of the most high-profile institutions in the world for our work which is so critical for the future of our planet, now … not tomorrow, now.”
NUI Galway Students’ Union President Róisín Nic Lochlainn said: “Students have a long history of tackling major issues facing our society, and sustainability is something that they are hungry to pursue.
“I am delighted with the contribution students have made to the STARS Gold rating and I look forward to continuing our work on developing our long terms sustainability goals.”
Professor Jamie Goggins, chair of NUI Galway’s Community University Sustainability Partnership (CUSP) board, said: “The STARS Gold rating is tremendous.
“It is to be celebrated and it should also be used to spur us on to the next challenge and for all of us at NUI Galway to push ourselves to deepen our focus on sustainability and ensure efforts are redoubled for the young people of today and the next generation.”
Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, NUI Galway Deputy President and Registrar and Chair of the University Sustainability Advisory Board, said that the STARS Gold rating is an outstanding success.
“Huge credit should go to all those who put the issue of sustainability on the agenda in our University, to those who developed the strategy to embed it in our work and practice and to those who pursue the right decisions to make it a living value of NUI Galway.”
More than 1,000 institutions have registered to use the STARS Reporting Tool, of which 678 have earned a STARS rating and 133 currently hold a Gold rating.
STARS assesses environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability across five areas: academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.
