Soaked with sustainability
‘Make Room for Sustainability’ is the motto of the HAN for the next year. ‘The HAN has been one of the precursors of sustainable developments in higher education for fifteen years. But it can even better’, Rom Bormans, chairman of the executive board, says during the opening of the study year.
Globe
Traditionally, the auditorium of the Faculty of Economics and Management-building in Arnhem fills itself up with employees, teachers, students and invitees. This year there is even so much interest that the adjoining hall is also filling up. The opening can be seen on a screen there. On the ceiling of the room where Ron Bormans and Minister Jacqueline Cramer (Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment) hold their powerful pleas, hangs a giant ball on which a turning globe is projected. This image composes the tone: Sustainability is not only beneficial for the HAN, it is beneficial for the climate. And that is deciding for the quality of life on earth. Not the weakest reasons for the HAN to strive for optimal sustainability.
Sun
Bormans speaks within his welcoming speech positively about existing initiatives at the HAN, concerning sustainability. He names amongst others the brand new Engineering-building of the faculty Technique at the campus in Arnhem, the sustainability-project in the South African Theewaterskloof, the climat-friendly HAN-tuktuks (which have won the tuktuk-battle in India) and smaller projects as biodegradable packaging and the toothpaste-squeezer. ‘Sustainability lies within big and small things,’ Bormans emphasizes. Remarkable is that while he proclaims this, the projected globe on the ball suddenly turns into the screensaver: an energy-saving state. How suitable.
Act Now!
Bormans introduces guest speaker minister Cramer. She paints a pessimistic picture. ‘In this world, there is a lot of ‘grey electricity’: coals, gas, and nuclear energy. This is cheaper but very bad for the environment. That’s why you’d better invest in green electricity, even if it’s more expensive. It will definitely recover the costs. The economical crisis is cyclical; good times are coming. The climate-problems are not cyclical, but irreversible. ACT NOW!’
Cramer emphasizes the importance of a radical new thinking-process, preferably implemented as early as possible. ‘My suggestion? Start a readership at the Elementary School Teacher Training College, which will soak the primary education with the sustainability-thought. This is how future teachers will teach the children to be careful with the earth and act economically. They will take this message into the society and into the business world.
Synergy
to see a CO2-neutral building: ‘a challenge which must be possible.’ One of the aims is to bring own people into action as much as possible. Bormans: ‘An example of this is to involve students and employees of the studies Civil Engineering, Building, Electrical Engineering and Elementary School Teacher Training College with building projects and learning-initiatives, so that their expertise and influence can be optimally exploited. Further, an impulse is given to the knowledge-economy: the call on the business world to participate in money, expertise and manpower. They are asked to side with the ‘sustainability-club’, in order that the movement will gain strength. In a favorable case an ultimate synergy comes into existence: the effect of the cooperation is than bigger than any of the cooperating parties could ever be in separation. Also, it is clear that solar-energy, wind-energy and green electricity are part of our sustainability-policy.’
Foundation
After the opening of the study year, all those present are invited to walk to the new Technique building, where the faculty of Engineering is settled. Amidst loud applause the building is officially opened by abseiling men, music and canvasses at the front walls. As a closing off a toast in the building. ‘The HAN is an excellent college and on its way’, Cramer praises. ‘It is up to you, the employees, the teachers, the students and the business world, to create and to be a sustainable foundation for the future.’
