EPA helps QUT students ‘engineer’ a sustainable future
Published Wednesday, 22 August, 2007 at 06:30 AM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
The Environmental Protection Agency is teaming-up with the Queensland University of Technology to help engineering students add to their classroom knowledge by working with real world businesses.
Minister for Environment Lindy Nelson-Carr said the students’ involvement in the EPA’s ecoBiz program was a great way to help tomorrow’s leaders gather first hand experience.
“Having 15 fourth-year students from QUT working with the ecoBiz team has been fantastic,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Not only are they full of enthusiasm and great ideas, but it provides a wonderful opportunity for tomorrow’s engineering leaders to learn more about sustainability.”
The ecoBiz program is the EPA’s signature partnership platform with Queensland business and industry, assisting businesses to identify efficiencies in waste, water and energy for financial and environmental benefits.
Ms Nelson-Carr said QUT students were put into groups of three and assigned to an ecoBiz participant business.
“The student groups carry out baseline assessments and site inspections of the businesses, after which they can make recommendations that the companies can carry out.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the students’ involvement with the ecoBiz program was also good for their studies, as the work they carry out counts toward their final Grade Point Average.
“QUT is currently looking at extending this program for the next semester, as the businesses have been extremely impressed with the students’ professionalism and attitudes,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“It is also a great credit to Dr Richard Brown from QUT that his initiative and vision have enabled the students to learn in such a dynamic way.”
Students work in a variety of businesses and industries from hospitality to manufacturing, highlighting the variety of areas that can benefit from environmentally sustainable practices.
“The ecoBiz program is designed to be great for business as well as the environment, and these students are an important part of expanding this process,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
For more information on the ecoBiz program, log onto www.epa.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004
Minister for Environment Lindy Nelson-Carr said the students’ involvement in the EPA’s ecoBiz program was a great way to help tomorrow’s leaders gather first hand experience.
“Having 15 fourth-year students from QUT working with the ecoBiz team has been fantastic,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Not only are they full of enthusiasm and great ideas, but it provides a wonderful opportunity for tomorrow’s engineering leaders to learn more about sustainability.”
The ecoBiz program is the EPA’s signature partnership platform with Queensland business and industry, assisting businesses to identify efficiencies in waste, water and energy for financial and environmental benefits.
Ms Nelson-Carr said QUT students were put into groups of three and assigned to an ecoBiz participant business.
“The student groups carry out baseline assessments and site inspections of the businesses, after which they can make recommendations that the companies can carry out.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the students’ involvement with the ecoBiz program was also good for their studies, as the work they carry out counts toward their final Grade Point Average.
“QUT is currently looking at extending this program for the next semester, as the businesses have been extremely impressed with the students’ professionalism and attitudes,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“It is also a great credit to Dr Richard Brown from QUT that his initiative and vision have enabled the students to learn in such a dynamic way.”
Students work in a variety of businesses and industries from hospitality to manufacturing, highlighting the variety of areas that can benefit from environmentally sustainable practices.
“The ecoBiz program is designed to be great for business as well as the environment, and these students are an important part of expanding this process,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
For more information on the ecoBiz program, log onto www.epa.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004