The IUS Green Campus Competition was successfully held as part of IUS SDG Week, reflecting the University’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and student engagement. The competition invited IUS students to propose practical, creative, and feasible solutions that could help make the campus greener, smarter, and more responsible. Through this initiative, students were encouraged to connect their ideas with the Sustainable Development Goals and to think critically about how everyday campus life can be improved through sustainability-focused action.
The winning project was “IUS Botanical Garden,” developed by Adna Salihović, Atiaf Al Gunaid, Sedra Jalal, and Lejla Džehverović. Second place was awarded to “IUS Xchange,” proposed by Ismet Ozan Karabinar and Kayra Yilmaz, while third place went to “The Green Plates Project” by Iman Ibrišević. Fourth place was awarded to “IUS Smart Cycling System” by Yurdanur Karapinar, and fifth place went to “Bike Friendly Campus Project” by Safa Afşar.
Participants presented a range of ideas addressing important areas such as the circular economy, energy efficiency, climate action, green spaces, biodiversity, sustainable food systems, digital solutions, and student well-being. The submitted proposals demonstrated that students are not only aware of environmental and social challenges, but are also ready to actively contribute to positive change within their own academic community.
The competition also served as a platform for promoting practical learning beyond the classroom. By developing project ideas, preparing basic feasibility plans, estimating budgets, and presenting expected impact, students had the opportunity to strengthen their problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and project development skills. In this way, the Green Campus Competition combined sustainability education with hands-on student innovation, fully aligned with the spirit and objectives of IUS SDG Week.
IUS congratulates all participants and finalists for their creativity, commitment, and contribution to the University’s sustainability vision. The ideas presented through the Green Campus Competition represent a valuable step toward building a more sustainable, inclusive, and responsible campus environment, while also encouraging students to take an active role in shaping the future of their University.
