GMIT to host Green Campus and Energy Awareness Open Day (4 Oct)

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) is pleased to host a Green Campus and Energy Awareness Open Day on Tuesday, 4 October, at its Dublin Road (Galway) campus as part of the GMIT First Five Weeks Student Engagement Programme. 

This initiative is part of a major drive to achieve Green Flag status for the Dublin Road (Galway) and the Centre for Creative Arts & Media (Monivea Road) campuses in Galway city, and builds on the good work already undertaken at GMIT’s Mayo campus, the first Institute of Technology to achieve the Green Flag (in 2011), and the Letterfrack campus which achieved Green Flag status in 2014.

It is the first in a series of events that will take place over the coming year to engage with staff, students and the local community on a number of green campus and sustainable energy community issues. This initiative encapsulates GMIT’s commitment to sustainability and achievements, in collaboration with State agencies and local authorities, in implementing the following programmes:

• SEAI Energy Awareness – Engaging People

• SEAI Public Sector Energy Partnership

• SEAI Research, Development and Demonstration

• National Transport Authority’s Smarter Campus Travel

• Campus Engage Civic and Community Engagement charter

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Enterprise  scheme

• SEAI Better Energy Communities scheme

The Open Day commences at 9.30am and features the following:

Exhibition area with industry exhibitors such as Electric Ireland, Barna Recycling, ProAir Ltd, Grundfos Ireland, Ecological Building Systems, Energy Co-Ops Ireland, Renewable Energy Systems Ltd, National Transport Authority, BAM Ireland, Galway County Council and Unitherm Ltd.

Technology Talks:  a series of technical talks by leading companies in the green/energy sector

Seminar on Sustainable Energy Communities (GMIT main library, 1 – 2pm)

Campus Sustainable Energy Tours (14 stops including wind turbine, Energy Education Lab, iHUB Energy Research Lab)

Free test drives in a Nissan Leaf E-Car on loan for the day from Nissan Ireland (Windsor Group)

Competition and prizes

The GMIT Dublin Road and the Centre for Creative Arts & Media (CCAM) campuses will officially launch their Green Campus applications with An Taisce and membership of the Sustainable Energy Communities Network on the day.

Chair of the Green Campus Committee, Dr Mark Kelly, says “The main aim of the GMIT Green Campus Day is to raise awareness amongst staff, students and the local community to stimulate engagement in current and proposed future GMIT sustainability initiatives that will enable the Institute to transition towards a more sustainable community of practice. We would particularly welcome any interested members of the public and industry stakeholders to drop in.”

Galway Bay FM’s Keith Finnegan Show will broadcast some of the show from the event on Tuesday 4 October (11am to 12 noon), interviewing staff and guests about the initiatives implemented on campus, as well as future plans and collaborations with communities, business and industry.