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May 22, 2024 – The Ecole d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule (EHT) Eco-Campus hosted the 8th edition of the Get Together series, demonstrating the vital roles students assume in driving sustainability on their campus. 

Nearly 100 attendees from ASSET H&C member schools— including La Boulangerie Française (LBF), An Rê Mai Sen (Vietnam), Bayon School, Ecole d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule (EHT), Sala Baï Hotel & Restaurant School, Spoons, Don Bosco Hotel School, Pour un Sourire d’Enfant Institute (PSEI) (Cambodia), and HCTC (Thailand) — participated to draw insights from the EHT Eco-Committee’s initiatives. 

Eco Initiative for Students and by Students 

The student leaders of the Eco-Committee at EHT shared their journey to obtaining the prestigious Green Flag Certification in 2023 —the first for any Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution in Asia. They highlighted EHT’s approach of integrating practical, hands-on environmental stewardship into their curriculum, preparing students to become proactive change agents.

Highlights from the students’ experiences included: 

• Committee Formation: Ensuring balanced gender representation and equitable participation through fair elections. 
• Action Plan: Building on prior successes with a focus on biodiversity, inclusion, and well-being, maintaining green supply chains, and reducing single-use plastics. 

Additional achievements from the past year included: 

• Green Supply Chain Policy: Students took an active role in selecting suppliers with strong environmental credentials, and integrating sustainability into the procurement process. 
• Curriculum and Awareness Initiatives: They developed a green curriculum and conducted surveys and competitions to raise awareness about the impact of single-use plastics. 

Furthermore, students were encouraged to create and display awareness posters in their classrooms, fostering a culture of environmental consciousness across the campus. 

These activities have helped students develop crucial leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. 

Discussion and Collaborative Learning 

Participants engaged in discussions about the practical aspects of maintaining sustainable initiatives, such as the timeline for achieving the Green Flag and strategies for ensuring continuous student involvement despite turnover. This session highlighted the importance of blending new and experienced members in ongoing environmental efforts. 

Key Takeaways: Teamwork and Community Engagement 

• Empowering students as leaders: Students are not just participants but leaders who can initiate and drive significant changes. 
• Sustainable practices as part of education: Integrating sustainability into the curriculum ensures that students not only learn about but also implement green practices. 
• Community involvement is crucial: Involving the entire school community, including teachers and staff, enhances the impact and sustainability of initiatives. 
• Continuity through collaboration: Establishing a mix of new and returning committee members creates a bridge that ensures continuity and the sharing of institutional knowledge. 

The event wrapped up with a collaborative quiz and brainstorming session, reinforcing the concept that “Teamwork makes the dream work.” This sentiment echoed through the workshop’s activities, demonstrating how collective efforts can transform educational environments sustainably. 

Participants departed with not only inspiration but also actionable strategies to implement and adapt EHT’s successful model in their respective institutions, thereby promoting environmental responsibility across the vocational education sector. 

Join the Movement: 

If this recap sparks your interest, or if you seek to integrate similar practices in your institution, don’t hesitate to reach out or join our future Get Togethers. Together, we can achieve more and pave the way for a sustainable future. 

Contact for further details or resources: Ha Phan (ASSET H&C Project Manager): ha.phan@iecd.org 

Alone, we go faster. Together, we go further!