The Social Sciences

Year: 2012
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Page No. 216 - 223

Development of Green Dormitory Standard for Mahasarakham University

Authors : Kunnika Wattanasaroch, Nongnapas Thiengkamol, Charlie Navanugraha and Tanarat Thiengkamol

Abstract: Development of Green Dormitory Standard (GDS) based on the principle of ISO 14001 which is an international standard of effective Environmental Management System (EMS). The green dormitory is a continual improvement for environmental quality by controlling the impacts of dormitory resident activities. Mahasarakham University and its network dormitory provide the dormitory for the undergraduate students whom require an accommodation. The purposes of this study were to develop GDS based on the principle of ISO 14001 for Mahasarakham University and its network dormitory and to train GDS for undergraduate students to accomplish a better practice for environmental conservation. The 10 sets of GDS were implemented to meet at least the legal requirements. The GDS was trained for undergraduate students to be able to practice in different aspects such as electricity and pipe water conservation, solid waste management and so on. The mixed research method was used for data collection. It composed of the qualitative and the Participatory Appreciate-Influence-Control Technique (PAIC) approaches. The sample was selected by using the Purposive Sampling Technique. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was done with the university dormitory officers and network dormitory owners or representatives. The test and questionnaire was employed as the instruments for data collecting of the PAIC approach. The descriptive statistics with percentage, frequency, mean and standard deviation and the inferential statistics with t-test and one way ANOA were used for data analysis. Holding the meeting for university dormitory officers and network dormitory owners or representatives of 30 peoples were divided into 4 small groups to do FGD. In each small group did brain storming to develop green dormitory standard based on principle of ISO 14001 and presented for other participants. Finally, they proposed green dormitory standards at the end of meeting with covering 10 sets of standards that are: Environmental policy composes of 4 standards, planning for implementation composes of 8 standards, communication composes of 5 standards, wastewater management composes of 5 standards, solid waste management composes of 4 standards, energy conservation of electricity and water composes of 8 standards, equipment maintenance composes of 4 standards, dormitory safety composes of 3 standards, green area increment composes of 4 standards and preparation for emergency composes of 5 standards. The results illustrated that before and after the PAIC process implemented, the environmental knowledge achievement, the environmental sensitivity, the environmental practice and understanding on GDS were determined. It was found that there were high statistically significant difference between pre- and post-test in (p<0.001) four aspects of knowledge achievement, environmental sensitivity, environmental practice and understanding on GDS. The three dimensional evaluation was used to evaluate the participation of participant, the finding revealed that the mean scores of among self-, friend-, and facilitator-evaluation showed no statistically difference (p>0.05). This indicated that three evaluations on participation during the training process were congruent. During PAIC implemented, the 4 focus groups discussion were done, the overall results showed that there were 4 projects purposed including Solid Waste Reduction, The Modern Dormitory Concern GDS Energy Saving and The Volunteer for GDS to be implemented according to the action plans on Green Dormitory Standard Management. The pilot project selected for implementing was three from four proposed projects. These projects were Solid Waste Reduction, Energy Saving and The Volunteer for GDS. The recommendation from the finding that the university dormitory officers and network dormitory owners and representatives suggested to introduce the GDS to implement to enhance benefit of both owners and renters by saving the expenses including decreasing the pollutions of waste and wastewater. Moreover, Mahasarakham University should hold training with PAIC for all students to understand GDS in order to accomplish the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental quality as a whole university to meet the real sustainable development.

How to cite this article:

Kunnika Wattanasaroch, Nongnapas Thiengkamol, Charlie Navanugraha and Tanarat Thiengkamol , 2012. Development of Green Dormitory Standard for Mahasarakham University. The Social Sciences, 7: 216-223.

Design and power by Medwell Web Development Team. © Medwell Publishing 2024 All Rights Reserved