IFIA Academic Section Coordinator visits Cyprus International University

The representative of the International Federation of Inventors Association (IFIA), Mr. Masoud Tajbakhsh (Academic Sector coordinator) was hosted by the Cyprus International University where he met with the Vice Rector of International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Majid Hashemipour. He also contributed towards the children’s festival organized in CIU Innovation Nature Center where the primary school students got information about sustainability and its importance in their future life. CIU nature center is an innovation project implemented as a part of Students Sustainable Campus.
After a successful year of operation, students for sustainable campus came up with a new innovation of “We are Nature Center” unlike the usual traditional coffee shop. It is a self-sustaining center that seeks to bring environmental and economic sustainability.
The cafe is used as a tool to reduce waste on campus and to educate students on the negative adverse effects on single-use plastics.
Single-use plastic waste is one of the biggest current environmental challenges. The center will strive to eliminate non-renewable waste as much as possible. The sustainable garden vegetables from various international societies will be available for students to have a taste of home away from home. Also, food scraps and coffee beans will be composted and reused to fertilize the sustainable garden.
Also throughout the year, the center will be having various cultural events where students can come and eat food from different nationalities. Approved partners are given the opportunity to showcase and sell their local dishes and earn something in return. Various art exhibition also takes place occasionally to allow the students to showcase their talents to the general student population. Popular among these is the sustainable Friday which is the last Friday of every month.
This area is designated as the plastic-free zone (PDZ). Also, the center is managed by students for a sustainable campus- CIU which is a student-run project.