This project began in 2001, when a Sustainable Campus unit was formed. The unit was backed by the university and its objective was to introduce SD into all aspects of the institution with the university providing funding for the unit.
This is a comprehensive project that aims to have an effect on all university functions: education, research, campus management and outreach.
The project's main activities are:
1. Campus management using ecoefficiency criteria to promote recycling and a reduction in the use of resources.
2. The inclusion of SD concepts in courses and academic programs.
3. The promotion of theoretical knowledge and research by means of the Conservation and SD Chair.
4. Outreach through the Community Social Service program.
Universities generate knowledge and train future professionals who will take on social leadership roles. Therefore, university institutions have an important mission to: promote sustainable development (SD) in research; transfer SD knowledge to students; and link this concept to students’ future professions. This project began in 2001, when a Sustainable Campus unit was formed. The unit was backed by the university. Its objective was to introduce SD into all aspects of the institution. The university provided the funding for the unit.
This is a comprehensive project that aims to have an effect on all university functions: education, research, campus management and outreach.
The project’s main activities are:
Campus management using ecoefficiency criteria to promote recycling and a reduction in the use of resources.
The inclusion of SD concepts in courses and academic programmes.
The promotion of theoretical knowledge and research by means of the Conservation and SD Chair.
Outreach through the Community Social Service programme.
The general objective of the Sustainable Campus program is to drive the transition of the TEC university community towards SD by:
1. Incorporating SD related concepts and procedures into courses and academic programs.
2. Managing the campus sustainably.
3. Channelling research towards SD (through the creation of a Conservation and SD Chair).
4. Disseminating information about the program and its achievements.
5. Liaising with international networks to promote SD.
1. Sustainable Campus Operations aims to establish the concept of ecoefficiency in campus management, through:
Training courses for employees.
Energy and water saving programs.
Waste separation programs.
Voluntary programs in which students, employees, lecturers and managers help to promote the TEC’s Environmental Policy.
2. The SD concept is incorporated into syllabi in the following ways:
SD concepts are introduced into courses and academic programs. Currently, ten undergraduate courses and three graduate courses include SD concepts in their syllabi.
A training course for lecturers.
The use of Chronos in degree courses. Chronos is a virtual tool that was developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the University of Cambridge. The WBCSD was formed in 1991 to unite companies who wish to promote SD. Chronos, an e-learning tool on the business case for sustainable development, takes three hours to complete. http://tec-chronos.mty.itesm.mx/
3. The Conservation and SD Chair was established as a result of an agreement signed in 2002 between the Mexican Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and TEC. The Chair aims to disseminate, train and undertake academic exchanges on environmental and SD issues. The objective is to bring about nature conservation by using natural resources appropriately.
4. Finally, the Sustainable Campus program aims to undertake outreach activities with the surrounding community. Such activities are mainly carried out through the community social service (work placement for students that has a social impact). This is organized by university associations, which are backed by the Sustainable Campus. Currently, two organizations' activities are being supported: the Program for the Promotion of an Ecological Culture (FOMCEC) and Friends of Nature.
The community social service program helps to raise students' awareness of social problems, beyond merely theoretical knowledge. Communities receive training in the concept of SD, and learn techniques for saving and recycling resources.
5. The Sustainable Campus is also involved in a fifth area: liaising with international networks to promote SD. TEC signed the Talloires declaration in 1990. In addition, links with the Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities (EMSU) network led to this organization's international conference being held at TEC in 2004.
An increase in the number of courses that contain the concept of SD. Currently, subjects in ten undergraduate programmes and three postgraduate programmes include the idea of sustainability. In total, 90 subjects include SD concepts.
100 lecturers have been trained through a course-workshop in SD.
A second course for lecturers is being planned. This is a pilot course, which will be offered to all lecturers on the Campus from the second term of 2006.
12,000 students were enrolled in the Chronos course.
The TEC’s Mission and Vision Statement for 2015 includes SD in the institution’s fifth Principle.
A system has been created to record annual variations in the use of resources on campus. These records can be found on the internet at: http://campus-sostenible.mty.itesm.mx/operacion/index.html
Keynote conferences are organized twice a year on Conservation and SD. In addition, a preparation course for the Conferences is organized.
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