Van Lang University Joins Hands for Sustainable Development

In response to World Environment Day, on June 5, 2024, Van Lang University launched the program "Van Lang University Joins Hands for Sustainable Development". This program introduced numerous practical activities, demonstrating the Van Lang community's sense of responsibility and collaborative efforts toward a sustainable environment.

This event not only celebrates World Environment Day but also aims to contribute to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, calling on students to take action for positive change.

As a leading university, Van Lang University has made significant contributions to sustainable development over the past 30 years, providing breakthrough solutions and jointly building a friendly environment. Assoc. In response to World Environment Day, Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu, President of Van Lang University, emphasized in her open letter to the VLU community: "We have taken a lot from the environment. So let's give back to the environment and nature in even better ways. I hope that the spirit of dedication from Van Lang and its students will continue to thrive. Each of us will join hands for a Green - Clean - Beautiful environment."

On the opening day of the "Van Lang Joins Hands for Sustainable Development" program, the main campus of Van Lang University was bustling with excitement as faculty members and students eagerly brought old clothes, ao dai, books, and reusable school supplies to support the "Loving Ao Dai" and "Collection of Reusable Items" activities. VLU will sort the items collected from June 4 to July 13, 2024, for future activities. Notably, on June 7, 2024, students donating old items will receive one item from other contributors.

MSc. Le Thi Thanh Nhan, Head of the Fashion Design Department at Van Lang University, highlighted that collecting clothes and reusing old outfits is a common activity often implemented in events aimed at environmental protection: “By extending the lifespan of clothing, we can mitigate the negative impacts caused by the fast fashion production process.”

The donated clothing and items will become materials for students within the Van Lang education system to participate in the Clothes The Loops competition, where they will creatively transform, mix & match, and design new outfits. The top 30 outstanding creations will be showcased in a concluding fashion show, with valuable prizes totaling up to 35 million VND.

For the ao dai and ao dai fabrics donated by VLU faculty members and staff, the organizing committee plans to gift these items to workers in export processing zones around the city. Additionally, the university will select and arrange suitable donated items to give to shelters and homes in need of community support. As part of the sustainable development action series, Van Lang University is collaborating with REshare to create a new life cycle for used clothing.

In June 2024, Van Lang University received the exciting news of being officially listed in the global university rankings for sustainable development (as per the 2024 THE Impact Rankings by Times Higher Education (THE)). Participating in the global university rankings, Van Lang University demonstrates its commitment to providing quality education, addressing societal issues, and fostering positive changes for a sustainable future. The university leads among Vietnamese higher education institutions in SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), ranking in the top 101-200 globally in this category. Van Lang University is dedicated to "water conservation" through educational and communication activities, ensuring water quality by selecting reliable water sources and monitoring quality regularly. The university focuses on research in water treatment to contribute knowledge on pollutant removal, promoting wastewater reuse, and positively impacting water resource protection and sustainable development for the environment and community. Dr. Le Minh Truong, a lecturer from the Faculty of Environment at Van Lang University, shared: “The university has made significant investments in infrastructure and water supply systems to optimize water usage and minimize wastewater production. Additionally, we regularly implement programs for waste segregation at the source and manage hazardous waste in compliance with legal regulations. The university also applies technological advancements for efficient energy use and clean energy; collaborating with the community on environmental greening programs.”

News: Hong Thanh
Photos: Dang Anh – Chi Thien