Girardot, a commitment to a sustainable campus

With an initial investment of 200 million pesos, the Girardot branch has been transformed through a beautification process that included the installation of 80 solar panels and 700 light fixtures, contributing to energy savings at the campus. This, along with other improvements, has made the University the only one with a healthy bio-park that encourages the community to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Also noteworthy are the planting of 3,500 trees in internal and external areas, the implementation of ecological trails, and the organization of environmental awareness campaigns.

Dr. Juan Carlos Méndez, director of the Girardot branch, tells us details of the commitment to working towards a sustainable campus.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF LED LIGHTING?

JM: The advantages of LED lighting They are numerous and very important. We always talk about the energy saving, as well as the savings on the electricity bill, But there are many more advantages and benefits that LED lighting can bring.

1. Low heat emission.
2. It produces clear, bright light.
3. Longer lasting than traditional light bulbs.
4. Ease of installation.
5. Possibility of controlling light intensity with remote control.
6. Because they do not have a filament like incandescent or halogen bulbs, they withstand shocks and vibrations without breaking.
7. They are eco-friendly.
8. They produce low light pollution outdoors.
9. We help our planet.
10. A campus for learning, unlearning, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
11. The project is entirely viable; the return on investment is less than 7 years.
12. Environmental awareness
13. We became a university that contributes to the environment.

WHY DID THEY COMMIT TO SUSTAINABILITY?

JM: Being sustainable means saving electricity, turning off switches, and turning off computers. Being sustainable means implementing a culture of clean energy from the source.

In this era we live in, in a world of self-consumption, where all of humanity suffers, with the highest pollution levels in history, global warming and the acceleration of an entire industry, as a university we are committed to these renewable energy methods, mitigating this pollution and taking care of the planet.

WHAT ACTIONS HAVE YOU TAKEN TO MAKE THE UNIVERSITY OF CUNDINAMARCA A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS?

JM: To generate a change in lighting technology from fluorescent to LED lighting in most of our buildings, we have implemented two PV solar solutions for our Girardot branch and we are planning to acquire another system this year, solar lighting, and changing air conditioners for ones with higher technology.

WHO ARE THE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE INITIATIVE?

JM: With the support of the student community, leading teachers with a passion for environmental issues (Nieves Avila, Miguel Avila) and the support team of Engineer Wilmer Perdomo and interns under the leadership of the Rector Dr. Adriano Muñoz, and the director of the Girardot branch, Juan Carlos Mendez.

HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN THERE?

JM: This process began in 2016.

HOW MUCH HAVE THEY INVESTED?

JM: $288 million approximately.

More news from the Girardot branch at the News Agency