Puteri Lingkungan Hidup from SMPN 1 Surabaya explaining her innovative product during the Environmentally Friendly Action Competition and Exhibition at GRIT ITS.

ITS Campus, ITS News — In commemoration of National Waste Awareness Day, the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) through the Center for Infrastructure and Sustainable Environment Studies (ILB) inaugurated the 1,000 Eco-School Movement program. The activity, which collaborated with Tunas Hijau Indonesia, was held at the ITS Research and Technology Innovation Gallery (GRIT) on Thursday (27/2).

In his speech, ITS Vice Chancellor IV for Research, Innovation, Cooperation and Alumni Affairs Prof Agus Muhamad Hatta ST MSi PhD emphasized the important role of the environment in human life. This requires schools to be able to prioritize awareness education for their students. “By
instilling a lifestyle of caring for the environment, we can create a healthy environment for future generations,” said the man who is familiarly called Hatta.

In line with this, the Physics Engineering Department ITS lecturer also explained that this program was present as a form of ITS’s commitment to creating an educational ecosystem that supports sustainability. Through the integration of environmentally friendly concepts in the learning curriculum, schools can inspire students to contribute to preserving the environment from an early age.

ITS Vice Chancellor IV Prof Agus Muhamad Hatta ST MSi PhD gave a speech at the launch of the 1,000 Eco-School Movement Program at GRIT ITS

In line with Hatta, Head of the ITS ILB Study Center Prof Ir IDAA Warmadewanthi ST MT PhD also explained that this program targets primary and secondary schools at the national level. It aims to increase student awareness of environmental management as early as possible. “By getting used to environmentally friendly behavior, the younger generation will grow into individuals who are responsible for the environment,” explained the woman who is familiarly called Wawa.

The Environmental Engineering Department ITS lecturer emphasized that the ITS ILB Study Center team is ready to assist schools in implementing sustainable environmental management. In an effort to ensure the effectiveness of the program, ITS will develop a special assessment index to measure the achievement of each school in implementing environmentally friendly concepts. This index is expected to be a benchmark as well as motivation for schools to continue to improve their commitment to environmental sustainability.

Opening the series of 1,000 Eco-School Movement programs, this activity encourages active involvement for elementary and junior high school students through competitions and innovation exhibitions entitled Sekolahku Hijau, Sekolahku Hebat. This exhibition is a forum for students who want to showcase their work and real actions in implementing environmentally friendly concepts at school. “Students can inspire each other and realize that environmental management activities can be started through small steps,” said Wawa.

Puteri Lingkungan Hidup from SDN Pacarkeling V Surabaya (left) explaining her eco-friendly innovation product to the judges.

In addition to competitions and exhibitions, this activity was also filled with workshops to provide examples of environmentally friendly school implementation. Teachers and educators were also equipped with a basic understanding of the environment-based curriculum to be applied in the learning process. By increasing school awareness of environmental issues and climate change, this program is a concrete step by ITS in realizing the 13th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

Going forward, the woman from Bali said that ITS will consistently oversee the implementation of the 1,000 Eco-School Movement program. Wawa hopes that more and more schools will be encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly principles. “With this activity, a generation will be formed that is aware of the importance of environmental conservation,” said Wawa optimistically. (HUMAS ITS)

Reporter: A Rifda Yuni Artika