Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to promote a program to reduce the use of disposable paper and plastic on campus. Since implementing the Rector’s Regulation banning the use of single-use plastic bags in 2019, there has been a significant decrease in plastic waste during various campus activities and in the cafeteria.
UNNES’s commitment to sustainability is echoed in all its faculties, including the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MIPA), the Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Social Sciences. These faculties have all embraced the ban on single-use plastic, with the Faculty of Engineering going a step further by mandating tumblers for all staff. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone is part of the solution, reducing the use of plastic bottles and promoting a greener campus.
In the academic field, UNNES has harnessed the power of technology to reduce paper usage. The integrated systems such as Sikadu for online academic activities and the online guidance system, Sitedi, have made academic interactions more convenient and eco-friendly. These systems have not only reduced the need for printing and physical documents but also facilitated student-professor interactions, even during the pandemic when the online exam system for general courses allowed thousands of students to take exams without paper.
Additionally, UNNES has other systems, such as Sianggar and Sikeu, for budget planning and financial reporting in a digital format. These systems significantly reduce the use of paper in reporting activities and finances.
UNNES has developed the Siomon program to support environmental conservation, which records tree-planting activities. This program collaborates with the Central Java Environmental and Forestry Agency and aims to monitor the sustainability of campus conservation efforts.
Other initiatives include digital library services, an essay competition on conservation themes, and the Green School Ranking System assessment to motivate schools to implement green practices.
Through these various efforts, UNNES demonstrates its commitment to an environmentally friendly campus and raises awareness among students and staff about the importance of sustainability in multiple aspects of campus life.
