A Living Laboratory The Need for Greening the Campus
Vision: The Five Year Target
The mission of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is
The Living Laboratory will be a change agent that integrates
to promote technological changes and sustainable devel-
sustainability principles into everyday activities for achieving
opment in the Asia-Pacific region, and to develop highly
higher educational and research excellence and contribute
qualified and committed professionals who play leading
to region’s sustainability. By preparing highly capable and
roles in the region’s sustainable development and its inte-
dedicated workforce that not only learns, but lives “the sus-
gration into the global economy.
tainability experience” in the AIT campus, AIT can thus serve as a showcase and role model for other educational institu-
With an overall curriculum oriented towards preparing students on sustainability, development, and technological issues, AIT is an excellent training ground for the youth who will take up decision-making positions in their respective countries and the region. It is with this mandate that AIT would like to emphasize on setting a living example of a resource efficient and low-carbon campus, where learning about sustainable development is not only
tions in the region. To convert AIT into a sustainable living laboratory will initially start by following the low carbon pathways of living and learning, hence resulting in a self-sufficient eco-community. Sustainability at AIT needs to have its imprint in all spheres of its activities covering curriculum development, research, operation, outreach, among other priority areas.
derived from theoretical teaching but is reinforced by ex-
The journey towards sustainability would take AIT through
periential learning and life on a campus that exemplifies
sustainable and low-carbon pathways highlighted by the
sustainability.
wise consumption of goods, waste minimization and recycling, water conservation and reuse, energy efficiency,
AIT faculty, staff, and students have long been and are
renewable energy use, agriculture and food, housing and
addressing these issues in and outside the campus. Of-
transportation, construction, office automation, information
ten times these projects are time-bound and targeted
technology, purchasing and procurement, sustainable busi-
as capacity building or technology dissemination for ex-
ness practices, and management.
ternal parties and countries. The Institute’s commitment to partners has allowed experts to support sustainability initiatives that are focused on facilitating development in communities, countries, and the region. Research performed at AIT on sustainability has included studies on the development of a low carbon campus through application of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy conservation measures focusing on the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, innovative
Creating a Green AIT Campus means focusing at least on the following major sustainability themes, including sustainable, green procurement: 1. Energy, water, and waste management (3R - reduce, recycle and reuse), 2. Sustainable transportation, 3. Natural resources and wilderness preservation, 4. Application of information and communication technologies, and others.
demand side management strategies, and 3R (reduce, recycle and reuse) of wastes. As AIT endeavors to fulfill its mission, it is increasingly important to adopt a holistic and visionary goal for the campus – a Living Laboratory. Experts at AIT believe that it is the right time to proceed as AIT rebuilds and upgrades its campus, activities, and curriculum after the flood devastated the campus at the end of 2011.
AIT Campus Scenery
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Technology | April 2014
