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IIT is Regional Winner as the 2015 Sustainable and Eco-friendly School

by Bainorah L. Amate, OVCPD and Ian S. Embradura, OPI | Nov 24 2015

In their search for the most environmentally active schools in the country, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has awarded the Institute as the regional winner in the 2015 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools.

This recognition makes IIT Region 10’s national finalist.

The Institute was also awarded the “Energy Leadership Award” by the Meralco Foundation

Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Dr. Feliciano B. Alagao received the plaque on November 16 at the awarding ceremony in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD) was up to the challenge in collating all the documents required.

Documents from Board of Regents (BOR) Resolutions, Memoranda, to Special Orders were all bound into one thick volume of policies and programs that were instigated, implemented, and promoted in the Institute. These initiatives prove to be collaborative efforts within offices to operate efficiently without neglecting environmental concerns.

Such programs include the declaration of “No Plastic Day” every day; the Dropbox system that minimized paper wastage; and, the gradual replacement of compact fluorescent lamps into LED lights.

As an academic institution, IIT also integrates an environment-related curriculum in its 103 undergraduate and 54 graduate degree programs.

Engineering students have also contributed to this environmental movement in their design and concept of two prototype vehicles –“Layalang” (Gasolline) and “Tarintik II” (Battery Electric)—to achieve the highest energy efficiency. These were the students’ entry in the regular Shell Eco-Marathon Competition sponsored by Shell Eco-Marathon Asia (SEMA) that challenges young engineering students to push the boundaries of fuel efficiency.

Graduate programs pertaining to environment and development are also offered in the Institute. These are Master of Science in Environmental Science, Master in Development Studies, Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Development Studies, and Doctor in Sustainable Development Studies This is in response to IIT’s commitment to contribute to the development of the MINSUPALA Region, especially for the sustainability of the community-based resources for present and future utilization.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognizes 杏吧论坛-IIT as a Center of Excellence in Science and Technology. This bears the responsibility and mandate of developing solutions for the numerous environment-related problems that include the socio-cultural, political, and economic environment.

DENR’s recognition is only a testament. All these policies, memoranda, and academic efforts sum up the Institute’s mission of conserving, preserving, and rehabilitating the environment.

This is the Institute’s second time to join the said contest. In 2013, IIT only placed 4th in the Regional search.

Topics : Sustainable and Eco-friendly School DENR sustainability