University of Gloucestershire wins international award for sustainability project

The University of Gloucestershire has won a prestigious international award in recognition of its commitment to enabling and empowering its students to tackle pressing global issues.

It has been announced as the winner of the Next Generation Learning and Skills category (large institution) at the 2021 International Green Gown Awards for its A Rounder Sense of Purpose project, beating finalists from Finland, Malaysia, Switzerland and Brazil.

The International Green Gown Awards are supported by UN Environment and are open to any university or college across the world.

Highlighting exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by the world's universities and colleges, the International Green Gown Awards set the bar and put every learning institution at the heart of delivering the UN Global Goals.

Coordinated by the university’s School of Education and Humanities, the A Rounder Sense of Purpose project is aimed at putting sustainability at the heart of the curriculum and has reached thousands of teachers across Europe.

Dr Paul Vare, Senior Lecturer – Research and Development at the university, said: “We’re extremely proud to have won a 2021 International Green Gown Award for our A Rounder Sense of Purpose project, having won the UK and Ireland title earlier in the year.

“The project challenges education providers to embrace a wider range of concerns, social, economic, environmental, and not least the health and wellbeing of our learners.

“In winning the Next Generation Learning and Skills category, we’re delighted that our commitment to supporting our students through the development of academic courses and capabilities relevant to sustainability, has been recognised on a global platform.”