Achieving a green university in the post pandemic era: Edo State University Uzairue experience

Abstract

The complexity and dynamicity of our world calls for institutions to be more creative and research-driven to surmount global challenges in the education system. Institutions now need to be innovative and creative to be successful, but while the idea of success has changed, the education system especially in Africa has not always adjusted to its methods or goals to meet the ever changing world. In the pre COVID-19 era, many tertiary institutions within Africa did not perceive the need to adopt and invest in ICT education for teaching, learning and research. This unprecedented situation has shined a harsh light on the vulnerabilities, challenges, weaknesses of the Education system and our unpreparedness for a paradigm shift from the conventional teaching classroom methods to digital and then distance learning. In recent times, the campaign for adoption of sustainable practices within universities has been critically championed to prevent future occurrences of education disruption. In the post pandemic era, African universities should encourage the utilization of ICT technology to transform teaching and learning in order to improve on research and education to prepare students for unexpected occurrences like the COVID-19 pandemic, acquire settings and infrastructure to enhance teaching and learning, adopt a proper waste management policy to reduce climate change and promote all round sustainability as well as energy conservation. This work presents the institutional values and activities of Edo State University Uzairue (EDSU), Nigeria during the pre and post-covid 19 era with a strong understanding of the role of sustainability in achieving our goal. EDSU success story was also explored and presented in line with the role of ICT and learning management system for resource optimization and development of a green system through the adoption of energy conservation protocols, developing waste management policies, conservation of biodiversity and aligning with the global net zero emission initiative.