In a pioneering step toward a more sustainable future, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) recently launched its inaugural Sustainability Week, themed “Fusion Forward: Towards a More Sustainable MAPÚA MCM.” Spearheaded by the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement, this week-long initiative aligns with World Sustainability Day on October 26, 2024.
The theme “Fusion Forward” symbolizes the essential collaboration between students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to drive forward-thinking solutions for sustainability. By inviting the entire Mapúa MCM community to participate, the college promoted a culture of sustainability that aligns with global efforts to address pressing environmental challenges. The week’s events were designed to deepen awareness of the SDGs and encourage practical, everyday contributions to environmental and social well-being. This spirit of collaboration served as a rallying call to understand how personal and communal actions contribute to a sustainable society.
The Sustainability Week activities likewise reflected Mapúa MCM’s dedication to raising awareness and inspiring action. The SDG Spotlight exhibit competition, designed for high school students, promotes creative solutions for sustainability, while the Net ZERO plastic initiative advocated for waste reduction through a zero-plastic pilot on campus. WOW: Walk on Wednesdays encouraged the use of stairs over elevators, helping to reduce energy consumption and promote a healthier campus culture. Meanwhile, the Farm-to-School Market Day supported local farmers and fostered sustainable consumption practices, providing fresh, locally sourced produce for the Mapúa MCM community. A Financial Literacy Seminar in partnership with BPI Foundation was also conducted.
Recognizing that knowledge is one of the keys to informed decision-making, the seminar aimed to foster a sustainable mindset around money management, reinforcing Mapúa MCM’s mission to create positive impacts on both environmental and social sustainability, helping the community make well-informed choices that contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
In addition, the tree-growing activity symbolizes Mapúa MCM’s commitment to environmental regeneration, involving students and staff in planting trees to help combat deforestation and improve air quality. Complemented by a series of social media campaigns, these initiatives served to amplify the college’s message, inspiring both participants and the wider community to adopt sustainable practices. Through these efforts, Mapúa MCM aimed to create a lasting impact that goes beyond campus borders, contributing to a global movement toward achieving the SDGs by 2030 and setting a sustainable example for future generations.