The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) held the Kick-off Ceremony for HKUST Green Ambassador Program Exhibition today, the effort of South African- and Taiwan-bound student Green Ambassadors in engaging texts and images to promote heightened ecological awareness.
A long-time advocate for environmental protection, HKUST has put sustainability in practice in a wide range of areas and made e-month an annual event. This year, the e-month falls on March and is themed on ecology protection, encompassing a variety of activities such as workshops, local eco-tours, green trades etc. The activities shine a light from different angles on the significance of sustainable development, in hopes of driving greater participation in green life. The HKUST Green Ambassador Program is one of e-month’s highlights.
Earlier in January, 30 HKUST Green Ambassadors headed to South Africa and Taiwan separately for field study. Half of them, given a taste of primitive life in Africa without clean water and electricity, were engaged in conserving the African wildlife and endangered species. The rest of the Ambassadors investigated the traditions and lifestyles of the Amis, an indigenous people in Taiwan, and visited the non-governmental organizations working for environmental, historic and cultural conservation, learning on the ground about the innovative sustainability measures. To share their experiences and lessons learnt from the eco-trips, HKUST is holding the Green Ambassador Program Exhibition on campus from 19 to 23 March, featuring also the brochures and videos prepared by the Green Ambassadors. The materials will soon be uploaded onto the internet and social networking sites to spread the message of ecology conservation.
Officiating at the Kick-off Ceremony, HKUST Provost Prof Wei Shyy said, “Environmental protection is a worldwide concern. While we enjoy a better quality of life through advancement of technology, we have to take into account its impact on ecology and the environment and give serious thought to that.” He called on all of us to make changes to our lifestyles and proactively reduce the negative environmental impacts. The Green Ambassador Program hosted by HKUST, he remarked, is the scheme which starts with the basics, encouraging the adoption of green lifestyles and inspiring interest in environmental protection.
Upon return from the South African trip, eight of the students have been appointed South African Travel Ambassadors by the South African Tourism Board. Ms Nomatemba Tambo, South African Consul-General in HKSAR presented certificates to the Ambassadors, in recognition of their keen interest in and contribution to ecology conservation. She urged them to stay committed to the worthy causes of ecology conservation and environmental protection.
Founded in 2008, the HKUST-Hang Sang Bank Green Ambassador Program is funded by a generous donation from the Hang Sang Bank. It aims to promote green living style amongst HKUST faculty and staff members, students and commercial operators on campus. It highlights a specific theme each year, which is exhibited in a stimulating array of sustainability-related activities.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Mavis Wong
Tel: 2358 6306
Email: maviswong@ust.hk
