Since 2019, Ho Chi Minh City Open University (HCMCOU) has implemented a regulation to stop using bottled water and plastic straws throughout the university. Instead, the university encourages students, faculty, and staff to bring their own personal water bottles. This is a significant step in the university's efforts to protect the environment, contributing to spreading the message of "Green Living" to the community.

Green living is a healthy, sustainable lifestyle that aims for harmony between humans and nature. It is reflected in daily actions and choices to protect the environment, use natural resources wisely and efficiently, and minimize negative impacts on the ecosystem.

Therefore, Green Living plays a crucial role in the environment and society by protecting the environment, mitigating climate change, using natural resources responsibly, improving quality of life, and promoting sustainable economic development.

Understanding that green living is the responsibility of each individual and the community, Ho Chi Minh City Open University always pays special attention to environmental protection activities, contributing to improving the quality of green living for the community. The university regularly promotes communication and education on accumulating green skills for students right from their freshman year. Simultaneously, the university also organizes practical activities to help students have better experiences.

Ho Chi Minh City Open University organized n exhibition to display environmentally friendly products

Raising Awareness and Education:

• Orientation day are combined with education about the important role of students in maintaining a clean living environment, attracting students to follow and participate in environmental protection and community service activities.
• In teaching, lecturers are encouraged to integrate environmental protection messages into their classroom lessons.
• Environmental subjects are offered to students, helping them better understand environmental issues and solutions to protect nature.
• Diverse and meaningful extracurricular activities such as contests, seminars, practical activities, green campaigns,etc. are organized. The Environmental Club - OU Green Plus is established, and clubs within the university are facilitated to organize activities for freshmen to participate in preserving nature and protecting the environment.

Exciting "Green Living" Activities at HCMCOU

• Every year, HCMCOU organizes numerous activities to promote green living awareness, not only among Vietnamese and international students within the university but also in the wider community:
• The university has issued a regulation to stop using bottled water and plastic straws throughout the campus. Instead, the university provides free filtered water at facilities and common areas, encouraging the use of personal water bottles.
• The Environmental Club OU Green Plus is established: This is a pioneering organization in environmental protection activities at the university, regularly organizing communication and education sessions on environmental protection, clean-up campaigns, tree planting, etc., attracting a large number of student participants.

Members of The Environmental Club OU Green Plus participated in tree planting activities

• Environment Day: Raising awareness with a space showcasing environmentally friendly items like personal bottles, recycled bags, and booths for exchanging trash/plastic bottles for green plants.

Students attended The Environmental Day

In addition, the university also regularly organizes seminars and training sessions to enhance knowledge for students,faculty, and staff on environmental issues.

Green living is the responsibility of each individual and the community. Let's join hands to practice a green lifestyle to protect the environment and build a better future for generations to come.