GCI is working with all Societies, Faculties, Departments of NMMU and all relevant stakeholdersin Nelson Mandela Metropolitan District in order to achieve the following:
- Reduce the Consumption of Energy, Water and Paper in all residences as well as all campuses of NMMU.
- Manage our waste effectively and RECYCLE.
- Educate and train our students and staff about environmental aspects that effects our daily lives.This is done through our anual GREEN WEEK, relevant workshops, debates, video screening, residence competitions, fashion shows, motivational speakers and numerous other awareness campaigns like EARTH HOUR and Arbour day for example.
- Research: We need to identify, develop and monitor ways of quantifying our waste and find ways of reducing our Carbon Footprint at NMMU. We need to also assess, record, stimulate and enhance the attitude and behaviour of our students and staff towards the environment and green camapaigns.
- Engage all faculties and departments of NMMU to incorporate environmental aspects as co-curricular activities in our Methodology to our students.
What have we Done so far?
- During end November untill 01 December 2010, GCI formed part of the Students Leadership Conference, hosted by the Students Living & Learning Programmes where various leaders from our Hakas, Mentors and GCI members in Residences were trained on how they could make an impact and respect and care for the environment.
- During January and February 2011 GCI also took part in the First Year OrientationProgramme of our Residences and also created awareness about what we at NMMU are doing in terms of respecting and caring for the environment. All first year students attended this conference. Later Senior Students from Unitas residence were also orientated on the new recycling system that were inplimented in all Residences.
- On 05 March 2011 GCi hosted our First Strategic Leadership Workshop where the executive leadership were elected. During this workshop members also did their planning for all their activities for this year and beyond.
- On 26 March 2011 from 08h30-09h30 all residences switched off their lights for an hour in support of the Internation EARTH HOUR that was celebrated in more than 80 countries world wide as well as in more than 800 cities in Africa.
- During 11-15 April Gci also started our first Annual GREEN WEEK, where we focus on creating awareness. Together with various societies, like the Law Society, SIFE, FCF, the Environmental Societyand Science Society, we also embarked on various capaigns, both at South Campus and North Campus to educate students on living GREEN." These activities included Awareness talks, Collecting for charity (BAY World & SAMREC), cleanup campaigns, Performing arts, etc.
- On 15 April 2011 Green Campus Initiative hosted a very succesful GREEN GALA and officially launched GCI NMMU. This pristigeous event was attended by Students, Residence managers, Management of Students Housing and Living and Learning Programmes, as well as some of the Directors and Academic Staff of NMMU.