 (Image Source: Manila Bulletin) |
De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) received the internationally-renowned STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) for its continuing efforts on practicing sustainability on many fronts making it the first academic institution in the Philippines to earn such an accolade. The institution joins the ranks of more than 150 colleges and universities across the globe that have been given the said rating including Boston College and Boston University, University of Ottawa, Universidad De Monterey and University of Toronto - Mississauga.
DLSL, pursuing the goal of "compliance with and certifiable by a global sustainability standard" under its Strategic Direction To Create Sustainable Futures, aspired to adopt the STARS Program by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), an organization that measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education, to create a baseline for continuous improvement, generate fresh ideas for advocacy and adopt sustainable, just and inclusive practices - by its students, parents, faculty and other various stakeholders - to continuously take care of its side of the planet.
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| (Image Source: Philippine Online Student Tambayan/De La Salle Lipa) |
DLSL President Bro. Dante Jose Amisola, FSC believes in the importance of taking care of the planet and of progress that is not at the expense of the planet. “It is a progress of inclusive societies, which are essentially sustainable societies. It is a space where our children live in a world that is safe, inclusive, where growth is inclusive, where the planet is taken care of, and, where future generations are regarded in the decisions we make today,” Bro. Amisola said. Prior to the monumental accolade, DLSL was acclaimed a Finalist in the 2020 EAUC International Green Gown Awards for Benefitting Society, Student Engagement and Sustainability Institution Of The Year.
With more than 900 participating higher education institutions in 40 countries worldwide, AASHE's STARS Program is the most highly recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to the sustainability performance of a college or university. Unlike other rating systems, the program is open to all interested higher education institutions and the criteria that determine a STARS rating is transparent and accessible to anyone. Since STARS is a program based on credits earned, it allows for both internal comparisons as well as comparisons with similar institutions. You can view DLSL's STARS report at https://reports.aashe.org/institutions/de-la-salle-lipa-batangas/report/2021-07-07/.
