Foundation University won the 2015 Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools in the Overall Category, and bagged the Meralco Energy Leadership Award from the Environmental Management Bureau- Central Visayas.
As one of the co-champions, Foundation University will represent Region 7 in the national search, and be an icon of sustainability in the Philippines and maybe even in Asia.
Known for its cutting-edge facilities and exemplary projects centered on environmental preservation and awareness, FU was a recipient of the same award in 2013.
FU was awarded because of its numerous environmental efforts including the installation of solar panels in the North Campus servicing the University High School, and its hydroponics system.
The University’s 32-kilowat on-grid solar project, the largest non-experimental solar installation in the Region, is the first for a university in Dumaguete, and serves as an example in the academic community to do the right thing.
It was especially designed for a place like FU which has steady and reliable access to the main power grid. It is customized to offer the most economical advantages, better described as a zero-battery system.
On the other hand, the hydroponics system built by the College of Agriculture is a modular project could be replicated by local farmers.
It uses a non-circulating system, making it independent from the need for electricity.
The system allows the circulation of nutrients from the aquaculture ponds. Water from the Social Garden pond is allowed to flow up to a rooftop garden three storeys high. The water is then pushed back up to a tank using an airlift pump. (Febby Marton Rule)
