Press release

QMU shortlisted for Green Gown Awards

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh has been shortlisted in two categories for awards which celebrate the UK’s most sustainable universities and colleges.

The Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives being taken by the UK’s education institutions.

The awards, now in the fifth year, have a variety of categories in which universities and colleges can illustrate their achievements, in both academia and estates management.

Known for its excellent sustainability credentials, Queen Margaret University is the only university to have been shortlisted in two categories - Sustainable Development (for its new campus in Musselburgh) and Green IT (for its implementation of Thin Client, a new sustainable information technology system which has been installed throughout the new campus).

Rosalyn Marshall, Vice Principal at Queen Margaret University and Project Leader of the QMU relocation project, said: “ We wanted to develop a campus which would exceed current environmental standards and set a new benchmark in sustainable design. It is therefore very rewarding for the whole team to be shortlisted for these awards. This recognition also encourages us to continue to develop our sustainability strategy so that it is not only embedded throughout all aspects of the university’s activities, but becomes a way of life for staff and students - now and in the future.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR

Sixty- six universities and colleges have now been shortlisted for the final stage of the Green Gown Awards. The shortlisted applicants underwent a rigorous assessment, involving 30 expert judges drawn from a range of relevant institutions including the Carbon Trust, the Learning and Skills Council and Universities UK. The successful institutions will now be invited to submit a stage two application along with additional support materials.

The shortlist encompasses a wide range of innovative and diverse initiatives, spanning everything from a campus wind turbine generator in the carbon reduction category, to a green super computer in the ICT section and a wormery that features as a student entry.

The winners within each category will be announced at a prestigious annual awards dinner to be held at the Imperial College London on 23rd June 2009 in the presence of UK Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, David Lammy MP

For further media information please contact Lynne Russell, Press and PR Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, tel: 0131 474 0000, mobile 07711 011239.

For further media details of the Green Gown Awards please contact:
Carole Pendle, Pendle PR, Tel: 07768 462601, Email: carole@pendlepr.com