New Zealand’s Victoria University of Wellington has been shortlisted for two prestigious international awards for its demonstration of sustainability leadership.

The Green Gown Awards recognise sustainability best practice across the Australasian tertiary education sector and are highly competitive. Victoria University has had two entries named as finalists. The projects were Sustainability Week, which is a finalist in the ‘student engagement’ category, and the Victoria Plus programme, in the ‘benefiting society’ category.

“Victoria University of Wellington is a leader in sustainability in the university sector in New Zealand and it is wonderful to have this recognition,” says Provost, Professor Wendy Larner.“Sustainability Week showcased the commitment to sustainability from our student body, and the wider University community, and the Victoria Plus programme offers an on-going way for students to be involved in a range of volunteer opportunities.”

Videos about each of the finalists’ projects will be shown during the Green Gown Awards Australasia ceremony in Adelaide on 1 November. Winners in each category will be considered for the International Green Gown Awards. Sustainability Week 2018 was a student-led event held in May 2018 with support from the University’s Sustainability Office and other parts of the University. More than 1000 students and staff attended events or took part in associated activities. “The skills and motivation of students to engage their peers is what really drives the success of the week,” says Director Sustainability, Andrew Wilks. “We hope the success will inspire students and staff at other universities to lead similar events encouraging community-wide engagement with sustainability issues.”

The Victoria Plus programme was the first of its kind in New Zealand and generates student volunteering and civic engagement opportunities. Students volunteering on campus and in the wider Wellington community contribute between 100 and 300 hours of their time respectively for the Victoria Plus Certificate and Award.

“Thousands of students have participated in the programme over the last eleven years,” says Jane Fletcher, Manager Careers and Employment.

“The Victoria Plus programme is an opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zone, affect change and connect to their community,” she says. “It is a great way for students to put their skills and knowledge into volunteer work.”

About Education New Zealand: Education New Zealand (ENZ) is New Zealand’s government agency for international education. ENZ works to grow awareness of New Zealand as a study destination and to support New Zealand education providers and businesses to take their services and products abroad.