National Workshop on UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for Universities in Latvia

The workshop for Latvian University were hosted by Riga Technical University in Latvia on October 5th, 2018. The themed was “Role of Latvian Higher Education institutions in achieving sustainability”. It was opened by a welcoming speech from the Rector of Riga Technical University, Prof. Leonids Ribickis. In the first session, UI GreenMetric Chairperson, Prof. Riri Fitri Sari, presented the trends and challenges current development in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings and Methodology. UI GreenMetric is a solution to the issue of sustainability by competing with each other and to improve the most sustainable campus in the world. Dr. Baiduri Widanarko, an Expert Member of UI GreenMetric, explained the procedure for inputting data with an online system, then explain about any process and procedure to fill out online questionnaire indicators. Declaration of Participation on UI GreenMetric World University Rangkings Network by 6 Universities in Latvia In the second session, themed “The Environmental Management System in The Higher Educational Institutions”, was chaired by Mr. Juris Iljins, Director of Quality Management & Documentation Processing Department Riga Technical University. The first speaker was Mr. Talis Juhna, Vice-rector of Riga Technical University. He represented topics on the concept of Green Campus at Riga Technical University (RTU) and the "green thinking" knowledge method that was applied through student activities and student events. The second speaker was Andris Stredels, Executive director of Rezekne Academy of Technologies, as the second speaker. He talked about the application of battery waste recycling by given it to third parties every day and how the government will provide rewards for buildings that conduct electricity monitoring. In 2016, Rezekne Academy of Technologies was awarded as the greenest region in Latvia. The third speaker was Mr. Uldis Valaris, a Head of Life Sciences & Technology from Biosystematics Institute Department of Daugavpils University. Daugavpils University in collaboration with the EU managed to renovate old buildings into new buildings that remain conserved. Daugavpils University has courses on environment & sustainability, they also gave signs in the form of reminder stickers to turn off the light switches if not used, separating types of organic and inorganic waste, and pressing waste paper by reducing email print. In the last session, themed “Practical Environmentally Friendly Tools in Higher Education Institution” was also chaired by Mr. Juris iljins, Director of Quality Management & Documentation Processing. The first speaker was Mr. Maris Klavins, Senate Chair of the University of Latvia. He conveyed that the University of Latvia pursues targets to improve the quality of education regarding sustainability in Latvia. The University of Latvia will also build a building with the Green Campus concept. Therefore, every study program is required to have several courses on sustainability. The second speaker was Mrs. Liene Briede, the Head of EIT Climate KIC HUB Latvia position. She talked about the exposure of the involvement of students and employees at the Climate KIC Project carried out by EIT Climate KIC HUB. EIT Climate KIC HUB seeks to move the knowledge triangle, including building a business, improving education, and increasing research centers on sustainability. The latest update regarding EIT Climate KIC HUB’s network has doubled increase in 2016. Currently, EIT Climate KIC HUB is focusing on working on climate-related and electricity-related projects. Prof. Riri Fitri Sari with Rector of Riga Technical University, Prof. Leonids Ribickis The third speaker was Mr. Janis Brizga, Chair of the Green Freedom Foundation was the third speaker for this session. He showcased that The Green Freedom Foundation considers in terms of quality, whether it is affordable and environmentally friendly in buying goods. In purchasing goods, the Green Freedom foundation has a benchmark for environmentally friendly standards for producers and consumers. The efficient will occur if the suppliers should consider environmental aspects, such as electricity use, water use, and fuel-efficient transportation. Prof. Riri Fitri Sari and Mr. Juris Iljins conveyed closing remarks at the end of the event. Subsequently, the team also conducted Kipsala Campus tours which include the visit to the aeronautics and machine research center, state of the art Student Dormitory, and the Design Laboratory System at the Faculty of Architecture Building.