Student develops app to assist universities in becoming more environmentally friendly

A university student has designed a sustainability-focused mobile application aimed at assisting higher education institutions in adopting greener practices. Carolina Furtado, currently enrolled at the University of Worcester, developed the GreenUp app after receiving a 2,000 grant from her university.

The application engages students with a series of quizzes to measure their knowledge of environmental and sustainability issues. The results are then shared with university administrators to help guide eco-friendly policy and initiatives.

"By analyzing this data, university leaders can gain insight into students' awareness of sustainability, enabling more informed decision-making," Furtado explained.

The quizzes are structured around the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, covering topics such as poverty reduction and the creation of sustainable communities.

Expanding the App's Capabilities

Furtado, who holds a business and finance degree and is now pursuing a master's in computer science, has been a long-time supporter of environmental initiatives. She plans to broaden the apps reach and introduce new features, including interactive games and virtual reality elements.

"I hope to implement GreenUp at additional universities," Furtado said. "I've already received interest from a regional college and discussions with business leaders are ongoing about using it to assess sustainability knowledge within their teams."

University Support

Dr. Helen Watts, deputy head of the universitys business school, emphasized the institution's commitment to encouraging greener habits among students.

"Carolina's application demonstrates an innovative way to promote sustainability through gamification and a thoughtfully designed platform, which required financial support to bring to life," she noted.

Author: Chloe Ramirez