McGill wins national award for sustainability learning module

Staff and faculty who complete the module could win, too: they will be automatically entered in a draw for a gift card
Nathalie Rodriguez (left) presents a CAUBO award to Krista Houser, Jessica Latus, Jasmine Parent, François Miller, and Laura Winer.

Envisioning a More Sustainable McGill, an online learning module for faculty and staff, has won a national prize for McGill University.

The module, developed by the McGill Office of Sustainability and Teaching and Learning Services, offers a crash course on how to practise sustainability on the university’s campuses.

“Our aim is to make sustainability accessible to McGillians,” said François Miller, Executive Director of Sustainability. “We encourage all staff and faculty to complete the learning module, and collectively contribute to a more sustainable institution.”

In conferring its 2024 Quality and Productivity Award, the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) commended the project’s innovation.

“The transferability of McGill’s sustainability module greatly impressed the selection committee,” says Nathalie Laporte, Executive Director of CAUBO. “It offers an ideal template for other CAUBO member institutions, many of whom are actively seeking to improve sustainability engagement on campus.”

An interactive user experience

The module was launched in December 2023 as a flagship initiative of McGill’s 2020-2025 Climate and Sustainability Strategy. Designed for an interactive user experience, it incorporates message boards, live polls, videos and more.

“The module offers a place for all McGillians to improve their individual competencies and knowledge about sustainability,” said Chris Buddle, Associate Provost (Teaching and Academic Planning).  “We hope all students, faculty and staff feel empowered to contribute to the sustainability movement on our campuses.”

A student module is also available: Creating a Brighter Future: Sustainability at McGill.

This is McGill’s second CAUBO award for work by the Office of Sustainability. Two years ago, the University was recognized for the McGill Sustainable Workplace Certification program.

The award was conferred at CAUBO’s annual conference June 5 in Montreal.

FAQs

– The online module is free and available on MyCourses. Click the “Discover” tab, and search for the title of the module.

– It’s available in English and French.

– It takes about 45 minutes to complete, and need not be finished in one session.

– Staff and faculty who complete the module by June 30, 2024, will be entered in a draw for a $50 gift card.

 

Learn more on ‘Envisioning a More Sustainable McGill’ from the CAUBO video below: