The Earth Club of North South University organised the grand finale of its "13th Environmental School Campaign" on June 6, 2017 at the university's Bashundhara campus. The month-long event included various activities for school students to spread awareness on environmental issues.

The campaign began back in March this year. Members of the Earth Club visited different schools in Dhaka – namely Academia, International Turkish Hope School, Prottoy Inclusive English Medium School, Siddeshwari Boys' High School, Nahar School, Prottoy Ideal School, South Point School and College, Hurdco International School, Mastermind, Playpen, Jaago, Lakehead Grammar School, Happy Times International School, St. Joseph Higher Secondary School – and engaged the students in activities while sharing knowledge about the environment at the same time.

Teams of five students each were formed at every school. Events included documentary show, quiz contests and a special recycling camp. Winning team from each school qualified for the final round that was held at the university campus.

The finalists competed in a gruelling environmental Olympiad followed by an extempore speech. Each team were given the task to find solutions for specific environmental problems, within time limits.

The Earth Club also celebrated World Environmental Day 2016 with an informative seminar and discussion session, held earlier during the finale. Chaired by Professor Dr. Atiqul Islam, Vice Chancellor, NSU, the session hosted Md. Raisul Islam Mondal, Director General, Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment & Forests, and Dr. G.U. Ahsan, Pro-Vice Chancellor, NSU, as special guests. The chief guest of the event was Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Secretary, Public Safety Division, Ministry of Home Affairs. Chairman of the Environmental Science and Management 

department, Md. Jakariya, PhD, was also present.

All the guests pinpointed the issues of global warming, deforestation, sea level rise and hoped that solutions raised through such initiatives are implemented in the real world via concerned authorities. They praised the wholehearted presence and participation of the school students.

Lastly, medals and trophies were awarded to the winners of the competitions. The teams from St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Academia, and Hurdco International School won the top prizes – 2nd runner-up, 1st runner-up, and champion respectively.

Rubaiyat Rahman Shuvro, student of Class IV and member of the Hurdco team, was ecstatic at their win. "I have learned a lot through this campaign. Now I will start being more environment-friendly and tell my school friends to do the same," he said.

"The Environmental School Campaign is one of our biggest events," mentioned Sifat Rahman, President of the Earth Club, "We try our best to spread the word about environmental issues and its protection and practices through our events. Our next event, 'Champions of Earth', promises to be the biggest environmental idea generation competition."

SHOUT was the Youth Engagement Partner of the event.

Kazi Akib Bin Asad is a Sub-editor at Shout who likes to travel and collect puns from all over the world. Follow him and his adventures on instagram.com/akibasad