Innovation and Impact: AIT Students Lead the Charge at Sustainability Workshop
On October 31, 2024, the AIT Sustainability Research Trends Workshop was held at the AIT Conference Center, organized by the Office of Sustainable Campus (OSC) in partnership with the Yunus Center AIT. Supported by industry partners DroneEntry and Greenie Web Singapore, the workshop focused on advancing sustainability innovations and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students, researchers, and professionals from various sectors came together to drive forward sustainability in campus practices and research.
The workshop featured three main sessions highlighting vital sustainability themes. DroneEntry presented on Drones & SDGs, demonstrating how drones contribute to sustainable agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster management—addressing significant regional challenges through technology. The workshop also discussed innovative recycling solutions inspired by other institutions. For example, at Mahidol University, a service allows students to exchange recyclable items like water bottles for useful items or even credit. Participants proposed implementing a similar program at AIT to promote recycling. Brian Carraway highlighted how this model could align with Prof. Yunus’s vision for social businesses by creating an impactful exchange system that supports sustainability and community welfare.
Greenie Web Singapore concluded the presentations with a session on Digital Carbon Footprint Mitigation, where Ian Chew presented sustainable solutions in the digital sector, emphasizing the importance of minimizing digital carbon emissions.
A highlight of the day was the Inter-University SDG Research Competition, where students and researchers showcased projects aimed at advancing SDGs and reducing carbon emissions.
The competition’s top honor, the Outstanding Sustainability Impact Award with a 20,000 Baht prize, was presented to the winning team by Prof. Faiz Shah, Executive Director of Yunus Center AIT. Prof. Shah emphasized the importance of such initiatives in nurturing innovative, student-led solutions to the pressing environmental challenges of today. Additional awards were given to recognize creativity and impactful contributions to SDG goals, including the Creative Solutions for a Greener Future Award and the Excellence in SDG Contribution Award. With YCA proudly sponsoring the top prize, this recognition underscored the workshop's commitment to fostering student-led solutions to sustainability challenges.
Beyond the presentations, participants engaged in interactive sessions, sharing practical solutions and voting on ideas to implement on campus. These activities empowered students to directly influence campus sustainability practices and provided a platform for collaboration and actionable planning.
Yunus Center AIT led the session on Recycling for a Sustainable Campus, presented by Brian Carraway, Sustainability Expert and EPR Program Leader at YCA. This session explored Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a foundation for sustainable recycling on campus, introducing the concept that recycling can evolve into a social business model benefiting both the environment and the community. By sharing insights on applying circular economy principles, YCA provided a practical roadmap for educational institutions to manage waste sustainably and support community-oriented recycling initiatives.
During the discussions, participants highlighted several areas for improvement in waste management on campus, including:
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Replacing open bins with smart bins that open and close automatically, making it easier for students—especially those arriving by bike—to dispose of waste.
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Enhancing e-waste management by introducing dedicated e-waste bins, as e-waste poses significant environmental risks. Weekly e-waste collection was suggested, along with better bin management to improve efficiency across AIT’s 337 waste bins.
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Providing plastic bags for bins at AIT, which students can purchase as needed, to help control plastic bag use and waste disposal.
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Furniture and e-waste collections on a weekly basis to ensure proper recycling and disposal of larger items.
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Introducing room cleaning services every two to three weeks, promoting cleaner and more sustainable living conditions.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Dash, Senior Program Specialist and Development Management Lead at Yunus Center AIT (YCA), highlighted the importance of collective action, noting, “When we work together, we unlock the power to address complex global issues effectively.” He further acknowledged that the OSC continues to lead the way in integrating AIT’s vision of sustainability with initiatives that drive meaningful change within and beyond campus. Dr. Pradeep also expressed gratitude to the Office of Sustainable Campus for their role in organizing such an impactful event.
The Yunus Center AIT continues to champion sustainability through initiatives like this workshop, which bridges innovation, education, and social impact. By encouraging students and faculty to participate in sustainable practices, YCA and OSC are fostering a culture of circular economy principles and social responsibility, setting a strong foundation for lasting, impactful change on campus and beyond.
