2024-03-27 09:44:24
The University of the Valley of Guatemala—UVG— It is an institution that constantly seeks to contribute to the sustainability of the communities where it has influence, contributing to the positive development of our society. It is for this reason that, over the years, it has been involved in different projects that help meet this objective, such as courses that encourage students’ interest in the environment to impact research on the biodiversity of Guatemala.
What are the UVG projects that contribute to sustainability?
Faced with the challenge of sustainability, there are great obstacles to overcome. UVG has dedicated significant efforts to providing solutions that facilitate the path forward, especially living in a world marked by accelerated population growth, the overexploitation of natural resources and the excessive generation of waste.
Based on the principle of contributing to sustainability based on science, the institution seeks to generate knowledge and innovation from its classrooms, advancing towards professionals who contribute positively to society through their work. Every day, students and professors alike engage in natural resource management projects, biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
Academic development aimed at caring for the environment
M. Sc. Luis Ríos, director of the Master in Environmental Management and Sustainabilityindicated that sustainability is a process through which present needs are satisfied, but without affecting the possibilities that future generations can satisfy their own needs.
For this reason, the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala offers a diverse range of courses such as Environmental Sciences, Sustainable Development and Green Economy in several of his careers in Engineering, Sciences, Education, Creativity and Business. In addition, the application of sustainability concepts and guidelines in the workplace is promoted, including solid waste management, circular economy and territorial management to promote development.
In the race of Environmental Civil Engineering A new curriculum was defined that addresses new needs in the area of environmental impact with emphasis on water and sustainable sanitation.
Since 1991, the “Margaret and Michael Dix” Botanical Garden, of the Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, has been registered with the National Council of Protected Areas -CONAP-. It is also a member of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), an organization that promotes and develops efficient, accessible and reasonable solutions for the conservation of vegetation and botanical gardens.
Specializations that train leaders with innovative solutions
The Master in Environmental Management and Sustainability UVG is focused on facing environmental and social challenges through solutions based on sustainability. Besides, the Master in Sustainable Tourism seeks the socioeconomic development of communities and the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.
Other postgraduate degrees with a focus on innovative solutions to transform communities in this area are the Master’s Degree in Energy Business Management, the Master’s Degree in International Corporate Strategy and Compliance, and the Postgraduate Degree in Global Social and Environmental Affairs.
Students and professors who demonstrate commitment to the planet
On the other hand, students actively participate in international projects and competitions. An example is the project biodiesel production which won the ILAN Award for University Innovation 2023, in which Diego López, Rodny Ruiz, José Pablo Paiz and Rodrigo Arís, Chemical Engineering students, participated, along with Engineer Gamaliel Zambrano, director of the degree.
Another initiative that can be mentioned is the Winter Course del programa NORPART 2023, an initiative in which students from UVG, the University of Southeastern Norway (USN), USAC and the Universidad del Rosario in Colombia participated. In this last country they had the opportunity to explore the principles of sustainability in Guatemala and Colombia in the coffee and tourism area.
Through the Center for Environmental and Biodiversity Studies —CEAB— Consulting services are offered such as analysis of climate scenarios and feasibility evaluation of forestry projects that can generate carbon credits, as well as services from its laboratories: Geographic Information Systems Laboratory – GIS -, the Carbon Analysis Laboratory, UVAL Herbarium and the Systematic Entomology Laboratory.
Recently, the Green Mobility Pilot Planpromoted by the CEAB and the Center for Industrial Processes -CPI-, tested the Ecopower, a fuel created from a mixture of ethanol with gasoline. 34 vehicles were used, successfully demonstrating that these compounds can be used without causing mechanical damage or modifying the vehicles.
If you want to know more about the actions for a sustainable future that the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala carries out, go to uvg.edu.gt. Be part of the change based on knowledge and innovation!