Soochow University Ranks High on “2016 GreenMetric World University Ranking on Sustainability”

Beginning in 2010, the University of Indonesia (UNIVERSITAS INDONESIA, referred to as UI hereafter) launched a UI GreenMetric World University Ranking on Sustainability to help universities translate policies into management and operation of more environmental-friendly campuses on a global scale. The UI GreenMetric ranking is determined by the following six indicators: Setting-up and Infrastructure (15%), Energy and Climate Change (21%), Waste Management (18%), Water Resources (10%), Transportation (18%), and Education (18%). With the growing awareness of environmental issues, a record number of 516 universities from 74 countries have participated in the UI Green Metric Ranking as of 2017.

Soochow was invited to participate in the ranking for the very first time in June of 2016 and the results were released this year with Soochow ranked 264^th worldwide, 13^th in the nation, and 8^th among private universities. In the Transportation category, Soochow ranked 3^rd among private universities in Taiwan, because of our efforts in providing shuttle bus service between the two campuses, installing bike racks to support Taipei City Government’s green initiative of offering more space for bikes, and our continuous communication with the city government to set up a U-bike rental station right in front of our Waishuangsi campus to encourage faculty and students to cycle more often and help cut down energy consumption.

Soochow has been working diligently on the various aspects of environmental policy and conservation. On the hardware front, Soochow has been actively implementing a Green Procurement Policy, making it a priority to purchase products with least impact on environment. For five consecutive years, Soochow has been receiving commendations from the Taipei City Government’s Department of Environmental Protection Bureau for our excellent Green Procurement Policy.

Moreover, Soochow stands as a strong advocate in environmental protection by holding awareness-raising events, organizing student volunteers, and creating an academic Green Studies Program, to name a few. Take the Green Program, for instance, students, faculty members, and residents in the nearby communities can now work together in carrying out environment friendly measures into daily lives.

Thanks to the abovementioned efforts, Soochow is able to do well in the UI GreenMetric Ranking even as a first-year-participant, and is ranked first yet again in Taipei’s University & College Recycling Rating. As President Wei-Da Pan said at the award ceremony, environmental protection on our campus is a change in attitude, but also a change in lifestyle. Through the sustained efforts by faculty and students alike, we want to contribute in the protectction our environment, and create a sustainable eco-system for many generations to come.

References：

Attachment 1 Soochow University GreenMetric Ranking Outcome Report

Attachment 2 Ui GreenMetric Ranking Methodology

Attachment 3 Soochow University GreenMetric Ranking Certificate

Attachment 4 UI GreenMetric World University Ranking (Taiwan)

External links：

2016 UI GreenMetric World University Ranking (Overall Ranking)

Soochow University Ranks First Again in 2016 Taipei City University & College Recycling Assessment Rating