Faculty of Engineering 11Faculty of Engineering

Professor Suleyman Aremu Muyibi

PhD, MNSE, Reg. Engr(COREN),MIOBB, MMNN, MMANCID, MWA

Visiting Professor( LAUTECH, OGBOMOSO) DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

UNIVERSITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

BIENNIAL CONFERENCEORGANISED BY

ASSOCIATION OF VICE CHANCELLORS OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES (AVCNU)

UNILORINJUNE 1 -4, 2009

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Introduction: Global Perspectives on Environmental Introduction: Global Perspectives on Environmental SustainabilitySustainability

Environmental sustainability programmes in Environmental sustainability programmes in Universities Universities Policy DevelopmentPolicy Development Master Plan Development and ImplementationMaster Plan Development and Implementation

Implementation Strategies Implementation Strategies

Education and Training Programmes in Environmental Education and Training Programmes in Environmental Management( multidisciplinary approach)Management( multidisciplinary approach)

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

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Global Perspectives on Global Perspectives on Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental Sustainability

The demand of Humans upon the planet earth are now of a volume and The demand of Humans upon the planet earth are now of a volume and kind that, unless changed substantially, threatens the future well-being of all kind that, unless changed substantially, threatens the future well-being of all living species. living species.

Universities are entrusted with a major responsibility to help societies shape Universities are entrusted with a major responsibility to help societies shape their present and future development policies and actions into the their present and future development policies and actions into the sustainable and equitable forms necessary for an environmentally secure sustainable and equitable forms necessary for an environmentally secure and civilized world.and civilized world.

As the international community marshals its endeavors for a sustainable As the international community marshals its endeavors for a sustainable future, focused upon the United Nations Conference on Environment and future, focused upon the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development(UNCED) in Brazil in 1992, universities in all countries are Development(UNCED) in Brazil in 1992, universities in all countries are increasingly examining their own roles and responsibilities. increasingly examining their own roles and responsibilities.

The meeting expressed the belief that solutions to these problems can only The meeting expressed the belief that solutions to these problems can only be effective to the extent that the mutual vulnerability of all societies, in the be effective to the extent that the mutual vulnerability of all societies, in the South and in the North, is recognized, and the energies and skills of people South and in the North, is recognized, and the energies and skills of people everywhere be employed in a positive, cooperative fashion. everywhere be employed in a positive, cooperative fashion.

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Global Perspectives on Global Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability…Environmental Sustainability…

At Talloires, France in October, 1990, a conference of university presidents from At Talloires, France in October, 1990, a conference of university presidents from every continent, held under the auspices of Tufts University of the United States, every continent, held under the auspices of Tufts University of the United States, issued a declaration of environmental commitment that has attracted the support of issued a declaration of environmental commitment that has attracted the support of more than 100 universities from dozens of countries. more than 100 universities from dozens of countries.

At Halifax, Canada, in December l991, the specific challenge of environmentally At Halifax, Canada, in December l991, the specific challenge of environmentally sustainable development was addressed by the presidents of universities from Brazil, sustainable development was addressed by the presidents of universities from Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Zimbabwe and elsewhere, as well as by the senior Canada, Indonesia, Zimbabwe and elsewhere, as well as by the senior representatives of the International Association of Universities, the United Nations representatives of the International Association of Universities, the United Nations University and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.University and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

The Halifax meeting added its voice to those many others worldwide that are deeply The Halifax meeting added its voice to those many others worldwide that are deeply concerned about the continuing widespread degradation of the Earth's environment, concerned about the continuing widespread degradation of the Earth's environment, about the pervasive influence of poverty on the process, and about the unsustainable about the pervasive influence of poverty on the process, and about the unsustainable environmental practices now so widespread. environmental practices now so widespread.

Because the educational, research and public service roles of universities enable Because the educational, research and public service roles of universities enable them to be competent, effective contributors to the major attitudinal and policy them to be competent, effective contributors to the major attitudinal and policy changes necessary for a sustainable future, the Halifax meeting invited the dedication changes necessary for a sustainable future, the Halifax meeting invited the dedication of all universities to the following actions: of all universities to the following actions:

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Talloires & Halifax DeclarationsTalloires & Halifax Declarations

Declarations that commit signatory universities and colleges to Declarations that commit signatory universities and colleges to advancing research on sustainable development(advancing research on sustainable development(Done at Dalhousie Done at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, the 11th day of December, 1991)University, Halifax, Canada, the 11th day of December, 1991)::

To ensure that the voice of the university be clear and uncompromising in its To ensure that the voice of the university be clear and uncompromising in its ongoing commitment to the principle and practice of sustainable ongoing commitment to the principle and practice of sustainable development within the university, and at the local, national and global development within the university, and at the local, national and global levels. levels.

To utilize the intellectual resources of the university to encourage a better To utilize the intellectual resources of the university to encourage a better understanding on the part of society of the inter-related physical, biological understanding on the part of society of the inter-related physical, biological and social dangers facing the planet Earth.and social dangers facing the planet Earth.

To emphasize the ethical obligation of the present generation to overcome To emphasize the ethical obligation of the present generation to overcome those current malpractices of resource utilization and those widespread those current malpractices of resource utilization and those widespread circumstances of intolerable human disparity which lie at the root of circumstances of intolerable human disparity which lie at the root of environmental unsustainability.environmental unsustainability.

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Talloires & Halifax Declarations…Talloires & Halifax Declarations…

To enhance the capacity of the university to teach and practise To enhance the capacity of the university to teach and practise sustainable development principles, to increase environmental sustainable development principles, to increase environmental literacy, and to enhance the understanding of environmental ethics literacy, and to enhance the understanding of environmental ethics among faculty, students, and the public at large.among faculty, students, and the public at large.

To cooperate with one another and with all segments of society in To cooperate with one another and with all segments of society in the pursuit of practical capacity-building and policy measures to the pursuit of practical capacity-building and policy measures to achieve the effective revision and reversal of those current practices achieve the effective revision and reversal of those current practices which contribute to environmental degradation, to South-North which contribute to environmental degradation, to South-North disparities and to inter-generational inequity.disparities and to inter-generational inequity.

To employ all channels open to the university to communicate these To employ all channels open to the university to communicate these undertakings to UNCED, to governments and to the public at large. undertakings to UNCED, to governments and to the public at large.

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Environmental Sustainability Environmental Sustainability Programmes in UniversitiesProgrammes in Universities

Policy developmentPolicy development

Master Plan Development and ImplementationMaster Plan Development and Implementation Environmental Management Regulations and Guidelines relating to:Environmental Management Regulations and Guidelines relating to:

Wastewater treatment and disposal : includes Wastewater treatment and disposal : includes laboratory/workshop liquid waste, domestic wastewater from laboratory/workshop liquid waste, domestic wastewater from toilets and washrooms, eateries etc.toilets and washrooms, eateries etc.

Conversion of waste to valuable added productsConversion of waste to valuable added products Integrated Solid Waste Management: Food waste, garden Integrated Solid Waste Management: Food waste, garden

waste, office waste(papers, cardboard etc), plastics, glass , waste, office waste(papers, cardboard etc), plastics, glass , waste from labs / workshops etc. waste from labs / workshops etc.

Conversion of waste into value-added products, recycling, Conversion of waste into value-added products, recycling, reuse, etc.reuse, etc.

Air Quality ManagementAir Quality Management

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Implementation StrategiesImplementation Strategies

Implementation of Master PlanImplementation of Master Plan

Implementation of Environmental Management Regulations and Implementation of Environmental Management Regulations and Guidelines for Sustainability.Guidelines for Sustainability.

Integrated Solid Waste ManagementIntegrated Solid Waste Management Wastewater ManagementWastewater Management Air quality Management- Indoor and OutdoorAir quality Management- Indoor and Outdoor

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Implementation Strategies…Implementation Strategies…

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Some Typical Applications of Environmental Biotechnology in Environmental Management

o Treatment of waste to produce valuable products (bio-conversion) for Treatment of waste to produce valuable products (bio-conversion) for example Bio-fertilizer from garbage, saw dust , Biogas e.g. methane from example Bio-fertilizer from garbage, saw dust , Biogas e.g. methane from palm oil mill effluent (POME), Bio-ethanol, citric acid etc. from POME. palm oil mill effluent (POME), Bio-ethanol, citric acid etc. from POME.

o Biogas production from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME)

o   

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DEVELOPMENT OF BENCH SCALE MODEL ROTARY DEVELOPMENT OF BENCH SCALE MODEL ROTARY DRUM REACTORDRUM REACTOR

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ROTARY DRUM BIOREACTOR -ACCESSORIESROTARY DRUM BIOREACTOR -ACCESSORIES

Speed Controller Air Flow meter

Humidifying Tank Air Compressor

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Implementation StrategiesImplementation Strategies

Education and Training Programmes in Environmental Management Education and Training Programmes in Environmental Management ( Multidisciplinary)( Multidisciplinary)Undergraduate programmes: elective courses/options

Postgraduate Programmes( PGD, MSc, PhD): specializations

Short courses/workshops

Relevant specialties/ disciplines in Environmental Science & Engineering Wastewater Management &Engineering: municipal/domestic, industrial, Wastewater Management &Engineering: municipal/domestic, industrial,

institutional etc.institutional etc. Solid Waste Management & Engineering includes: municipal/domestic, industrial, Solid Waste Management & Engineering includes: municipal/domestic, industrial,

institutional and hazardous wastesinstitutional and hazardous wastes Public Health EngineeringPublic Health Engineering Green TechnologyGreen Technology Environmental Management & Pollution Control Environmental Management & Pollution Control Water Quality Management(Science & Engineering)Water Quality Management(Science & Engineering) Environmental Biotechnology Environmental Biotechnology Resource ManagementResource Management

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CONCLUDING REMARKSCONCLUDING REMARKS

The conservation of the natural environment is an imperative commanded by God, the Lord and Sustainer of all beings.

Protection of the natural environment from abuse by man leads to the improved quality of life of all of God’s creation, i.e. human beings, animals, water resources, land resources, vegetation etc.

The need to protect the natural environment with all its biological components from the harmful activities of man has existed as long as history has been recorded.

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The conservation of the natural environment is a moral and The conservation of the natural environment is a moral and ethical imperativeethical imperative. .

Environmental problems cannot be solved through knowledge Environmental problems cannot be solved through knowledge and technology alone. and technology alone.

Moral conviction and ethical consciousness -- at both individual Moral conviction and ethical consciousness -- at both individual and social levels -- can motivate people to forego some of the and social levels -- can motivate people to forego some of the short-range profits of this life, and to make personal sacrifices for short-range profits of this life, and to make personal sacrifices for the common good. the common good.

IIt is only when our ethical horizons extend to embrace not only t is only when our ethical horizons extend to embrace not only mankind but all generations and all created beings, that we can mankind but all generations and all created beings, that we can perform the noble role of stewardship on earth for which God perform the noble role of stewardship on earth for which God created us. created us.

CONCLUDING REMARKS…CONCLUDING REMARKS…

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Ethical teachings should be backed with legislation and effective Ethical teachings should be backed with legislation and effective enforcement of injunctions and prohibitions. enforcement of injunctions and prohibitions.

The force of law and political authority are therefore indispensable to bring about The force of law and political authority are therefore indispensable to bring about justice and equity in the allocation and distribution of natural resources and in justice and equity in the allocation and distribution of natural resources and in implementing the measures required for the protection and conservation of the implementing the measures required for the protection and conservation of the earth and what it contains. earth and what it contains.

Through the institutional arrangements of society, conservation should Through the institutional arrangements of society, conservation should be integrated with ecologically sustainable developmentbe integrated with ecologically sustainable development. .

Conservation divorced from sustainable development is neither socially acceptable Conservation divorced from sustainable development is neither socially acceptable nor economically viable. nor economically viable.

People's rights to harvest and extract the natural resources on which society People's rights to harvest and extract the natural resources on which society depends should be allocated according to the effort they invest in the beneficial depends should be allocated according to the effort they invest in the beneficial use and conservation of these resources, and linked to accountability for the way use and conservation of these resources, and linked to accountability for the way they use these common assets of societythey use these common assets of society

The right to use a resource sustainably for profit provides an incentive to reinvest The right to use a resource sustainably for profit provides an incentive to reinvest in its conservation and enhancement. in its conservation and enhancement. 

Similarly, the economic benefits of the conservation of a resource should return to Similarly, the economic benefits of the conservation of a resource should return to those people who have borne the cost of its conservationthose people who have borne the cost of its conservation

CONCLUDING REMARKS….CONCLUDING REMARKS….

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Scientific and technical knowledge of the natural environment and the means of Scientific and technical knowledge of the natural environment and the means of its conservation should continually be improved and developed through its conservation should continually be improved and developed through ongoing scientific research and monitoring.ongoing scientific research and monitoring.

Accurate information is indispensable to make enlightened decisions for the Accurate information is indispensable to make enlightened decisions for the conservation of the natural environment, to avoid acts that lead to its conservation of the natural environment, to avoid acts that lead to its degradation, and to rectify damage that already has occurred. degradation, and to rectify damage that already has occurred.

Such information should be disseminated as widely as possible and Such information should be disseminated as widely as possible and incorporated into extension services and basic education in the schools and incorporated into extension services and basic education in the schools and universities so as to enable the public to participate universities so as to enable the public to participate fully in the fully in the conservation of the environment. conservation of the environment.

The development of the earth, in order to be ecologically sustainable, should be The development of the earth, in order to be ecologically sustainable, should be planned and carried out in accordance with the natural constraints, ecological planned and carried out in accordance with the natural constraints, ecological values and sensitivities, and inherent suitability of its various localities.values and sensitivities, and inherent suitability of its various localities.

Planning for development should in every case include analysis of Planning for development should in every case include analysis of environmental impacts, and be designed to minimize damage to the natural environmental impacts, and be designed to minimize damage to the natural environment and depletion of natural resources. environment and depletion of natural resources.

Due consideration of all aspects of the environment, including science, health, Due consideration of all aspects of the environment, including science, health, and natural beauty, should be emphasized throughout every development and natural beauty, should be emphasized throughout every development project. project.

CONCLUDING REMARKS….CONCLUDING REMARKS….

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Developmental actions and projects undertaken in one country Developmental actions and projects undertaken in one country should not lead to any kind of damage, harm, or degradation in should not lead to any kind of damage, harm, or degradation in the natural environment of another countrythe natural environment of another country..

The natural environment and natural resources should not be subjected The natural environment and natural resources should not be subjected to any irreparable damage for the purpose of military or hostile actions. to any irreparable damage for the purpose of military or hostile actions.

The challenge that faces us is unprecedented in its magnitude, and to The challenge that faces us is unprecedented in its magnitude, and to meet it requires an enormous mobilization of resources, sound meet it requires an enormous mobilization of resources, sound strategies, and resolute action, so that we may, God-willing, maintain strategies, and resolute action, so that we may, God-willing, maintain and perpetuate a good and prosperous life for the present and future and perpetuate a good and prosperous life for the present and future generations of mankind and all created beings. generations of mankind and all created beings.

Finally there is the urgent and crucial need to promote all endeavors, Finally there is the urgent and crucial need to promote all endeavors, whether local, regional, or international in scope, and call for the joining whether local, regional, or international in scope, and call for the joining of concerted efforts in all fields to conserve, protect, and rehabilitate our of concerted efforts in all fields to conserve, protect, and rehabilitate our natural environmentnatural environment

CONCLUDING REMARKS…CONCLUDING REMARKS…

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR AUDIENCETHANK YOU FOR YOUR AUDIENCE