Duke Kunshan University (DKU) Climate and Sustainability Initiative (CSI) organized DKU’s first Sustainability Day during Orientation in August 2024 to welcome the Class of 2028. The goal of Sustainability Day is to introduce sustainability concepts to all new students and highlight that sustainability is a key characteristic of DKU. In 2024, more than 600 new undergraduate and graduate students participated in Sustainability Day, which has four main components:
Introduction Lecture: Professor Coraline Goron introduced why climate change matters, and what education, research, and extracurricular opportunities related to sustainability are available at DKU.
Themed Guided Tours: Students were guided by operations staff and faculty to different parts of the campus to learn about “green” facilities. There were nine themed tours: Clean Air; Heart of Ice and Fire; Pure Water; Community Farming; Rooftop Garden; Sponge Campus; Animal Care; Save Birds; and Sun Power Catcher.
Green Living Station: Students learned about Kunshan’s waste-sorting regulations, where their waste goes, and how to sort it properly. They also calculated their own carbon footprints and explored ways to reduce them.
Show Booths: Environmental and sustainability student clubs showcased their initiatives at Sustainability Day to attract new members and highlight their ongoing efforts.
In addition, students participated in a “Sustainability Treasure Hunt,” where they located different sustainability features on campus (such as a LEED medal and compost bins), helping them get to know DKU in a fun and interactive way. On August 13 and 14, 2025, DKU’s Climate and Sustainability Initiative organized Sustainability Day once again, welcoming an additional 700 new students. READ MORE.
Photo: Students at DKU during Sustainability Day.