In March 2025, two representatives from our project partner, Dermol svetovanje d.o.o., traveled to Gaborone, Botswana, to participate in the kick-off meeting of a new Capacity Building in Higher Education (HEI) project UPSCALE. The event was hosted at Botho University, bringing together partners from Botswana, Eswatini, Moldova, Poland, Slovenia, and Spain to discuss sustainability initiatives in education.
During the meeting, Dermol’s representatives had the opportunity to introduce the EDU4Plastic project, sharing its goals and ongoing activities aimed at enhancing green skills and promoting sustainable practices in higher education. The project sparked great interest among attendees, leading to fruitful exchanges on best practices in environmental sustainability between Botswana and Slovenia.
Sustainability Practices at Botho University
One of the highlights of the meeting was learning about the remarkable sustainability efforts at Botho University. The institution has taken significant steps towards reducing its environmental footprint, including:
Banning disposable water bottles on campus to minimize plastic waste.
Reducing water consumption by 80% in its washrooms through innovative conservation measures.
Harnessing renewable energy, with 36% of the university’s power coming from green energy, thanks to extensive rooftop solar panels.
These inspiring initiatives align well with the objectives of EDU4Plastic, which seeks to encourage the circular economy approach and reduce plastic waste through education and digital tools. The commitment demonstrated by Botho University serves as a strong example for other institutions looking to integrate sustainability into their daily operations.
Knowledge Exchange & Future Collaboration
The meeting fostered a valuable exchange of ideas between the participating countries, particularly regarding how universities can integrate green practices into their curriculum and daily operations. Slovenia and Botswana, for example, discussed strategies for reducing single-use plastics on campuses and implementing educational initiatives that promote sustainability among students and faculty.
The visit to Botswana was an important step in strengthening international collaboration and reinforcing the importance of sustainability in higher education. As the EDU4Plastic project progresses, we look forward to working with partners like Botho University to develop innovative solutions that contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
