The Faculty of Environment introduced the model of recycling organic waste to produce school-scale compost for primary and secondary schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

On December 7, 2022, within the framework of the Learning and Skills Project for children, phase 2022 – 2026, funded by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Faculty of Environment - Van Lang University, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Education and Training of  Ho Chi Minh City, organized the conference "Training for teachers and students to enhance awareness about climate change." This was an annual activity led by the Department of Education and Training to provide teachers and students at all levels with knowledge about life, society, and the environment, as well as integrate activities to protect the environment in lessons and subjects of primary and secondary school programs.

The conference was attended by Ms. Cao Thi Thien Phuc - Deputy Head of the Department of Politics and Ideology, Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City; Ms. Ngo Nguyen Ngoc Thanh (MSc.) - Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Department of Ho Chi Minh City; Associate Professor. Dr. Le Thi Kim Oanh - Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Van Lang University; Dr. Huynh Tan Loi - Head of the doctoral program in Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment, Van Lang University; Mr. Trinh Dinh Thao - Vice Principal of Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted; Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh - Principal of Hiep Phuoc Secondary School, Nha Be district; Specialists of 22 Departments of Education and Training of cities/districts; 198 representatives of administrators/teachers of Kindergartens, Primary schools, Secondary schools, and 180 representatives of the Board of Directors of High schools.  

At the event, the presenters delivered 3 presentations aimed at enhancing student’s awareness of the environment and climate change, proposing innovative ideas for environmental protection and combating climate change in schools. Additionally, they conducted training sessions for teachers and students on reusing organic waste to create compost for plants, thereby reducing waste disposal into the environment:  

• Presentation "Enhancing student’s awareness of the environment and climate change" – Ms. Ngo Nguyen Ngoc Thanh (MSc.) - Deputy Director,  Environmental Protection Department of Ho Chi Minh City;
• Presentation "A model for recycling organic waste to produce school-scale compost " - Dr. Huynh Tan Loi - Head of the doctoral program in Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment, Van Lang University;
• Presentation "A model for recycling organic waste at Hiep Phuoc Secondary  School, Nha Be District" - Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh - Principal of Hiep Phuoc Secondary School    

The faculty of Environment regularly cooperates with other departments and agencies to carry out community service acitvities through experiences from scientific research projects and technology transfer. With the presentation "A model for recycling organic waste to produce school-scale compost", Dr. Huynh Tan Loi introduced organic waste recycling models in schools around the world and the composting model that the faculty of Environment has piloted for 4 schools: Au Lac high school, Dong Da primary school, Phu Dong primary school, and Tran Quang Vinh primary school (Thesis funded by the Environmental Protection Fund, Department of Natural Resources and Environment in 2015 - 2017), the composting model at Van Lang University (thesis funded by WWF in 2022).

During the conference, schools in Ho Chi Minh City gained a better understanding of the significance of environmental protection efforts and proposed solutions for recycling waste. Additionally, they were introduced to the model of "Green Schools" built according to the sustainable development goals of Van Lang University.

News and pictures provided by the Faculty of Environment