Biodiversity took centre stage at the Thurles campus of Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) as Christopher O’Sullivan TD, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, engaged with students and staff driving environmental action.
During his visit on Monday, February 24th, as part of TUS’s Green Week events, the Minister met with Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS; Seamus Hoyne, Dean of Flexible and Work Based Learning, as well as staff and students actively involved in environmental projects on campus.
Minister O’Sullivan addressed students and told them about the future career opportunities in ecology and outlined his national priorities for safeguarding biodiversity.
Professor Cunnane highlighted the university’s integrated approach to sustainability, spanning academic programmes, applied research and campus operations.
A Q&A session followed where students pitched their own questions to the Minister on current national priorities in biodiversity protection, heritage conservation and nature restoration., while the visit itself followed an invitation from student Shauna Cosgrave, a member of Green Campus Committee at the Thurles campus,
The Minister was accompanied by his Special Advisor Hannah Hamilton who is also a graduate of TUS having studied Environmental and Natural Resource Management.
Minister O’Sullivan said:
“I’m delighted to visit TUS today during Green Week to meet students and staff, learn about their academic work and research on environmental issues, and see what they’re doing to protect and restore biodiversity and the wider environment here at the Thurles Campus. I’d like to commend the Green Campus Committee for putting together such an interesting and engaging programme.”
President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, said:
“We are pleased to welcome Minister O’Sullivan to our Thurles campus during Green Week. TUS is committed to being a catalyst for sustainable change through education and research that transforms lives, our region and the world beyond. Over the past year, significant progress has been made, including a reduction in CO2 emissions as well as the publication of our first Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Compendium, which highlights examples of good practice across TUS programmes.”
Green Week is an annual programme of events at TUS showcasing sustainability actions, including guest speakers, campus tours and workshops.
