During the July Holidays, while other students were on Holiday, our Leadership including myself attended two conferences to enhance and expand our GCI Green Agenda and also to network, exchange ideas and learn from other Universities and Organizations. Two of these Organizations are ACUHO-I-SAC & BlueBuck Environmental Coalition Network.
ACUHO-I-SAC
ACUHO-I-SAC is the Association of College and University Housing Officers International Southern Africa Chapter. They represent student housing departments at universities across Southern Africa & Abroad. There is huge potential for environmental action and education in university residences and ACUHO-I-SAC is playing a major role in helping realise this potential and making universities more sustainable.
Some Member Institutions:
- Durban University of Technology (DUT) Durban, Midlands
- Cape Peninsula (CPUT) Bellville
- North West University (NWU) VAAL, Mafikeng
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)
- Rhodes University
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Pretoria, Ga-Rankuwa, Nelspruit, Soshanguve
- University of the Free State
- University of Johannesburg (UJ) South Point; Turfloop
- University of Limpopo - Medunsa
- University of Pretoria
- University of Stellenbosch
- University of the Western Cape
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
(Only to name a few)
During the holiday from 02-05 July five students (including myself) from NMMU residence were chosen to represent NMMU at The National ACUHO-I-Rezlife conference held at Tshwane University of technology. These students had to make presentations on what NMMU are doing in our residences. The presentations focused on programmes, projects, events and awareness campaigns that forms part of our Living & Learning Programme at NMMU and also what leadership & developmental programmes we have in place, for example, the Hakkas, RSA’s, Mentors, GCI-Teams, etc. My specific port folio and presentation centred on GCI NMMU our environmental champion at NMMU.
After I presented what NMMU have achieved over the last 5 month were have been established, many of the Universities could not believe the progress that we have made in such a short space of time
More than half of the 23 campuses of the universities present, signed up to start a GCI-Branch on their campus. This was a very proud Moment for me as an ambassador for NMMU!!!! I am PROUDLY NMMU!!!!
& Next Year NMMU will be hosting the National ACUHO-I-Rezlife Conference. All 23 Campuses & universities in South Africa will come to NMMU and because we are launching the SA National Students form, numerous Universities, from all over Africa, USA & other countries will also be descending on NMMU soil. This will be a Momentous week of impartation. Of course GCI NMMU will be right in the middle- organising, coordinating and hosting as Partner of NMMU & ACUHO-I-SAC.