National University of Laos Champions Circular Economy on Awareness Day
Students played a game of waste separation
National University of Laos (NUOL), a partner in the CIRCULAR Project Consortium, marked a significant milestone today with the celebration of CIRCULAR Awareness Day and the official launch of the CIRCULAR Living Lab at its Faculty of Environmental Sciences. The event brought together more than 100 stakeholders, including students, academics, government officials, and representatives from private companies and non-governmental organizations, to raise awareness of circular practices, waste management, and social innovation.
Prof. Dr. Dexanourath Seneduangdeth, President of NUOL, chaired the event and underscored the university’s commitment to international collaboration. “NUOL is keen to collaborate with universities and institutions worldwide, especially in Europe, through the Erasmus+ Programme,” stated President Seneduangdeth. “The CIRCULAR Project, a capacity-building initiative, has been instrumental in strengthening our human and institutional capacities and understanding of the circular economy. Through CIRCULAR workshops, production of Circular Handbook for researchers, toolkits, a collaboration model, the CIRCULAR Living Lab Handbook, and the CIRCULAR Resource Hub, the Project is providing invaluable resources and opportunities for our university, academics, and students to engage internationally.”
The event programme commenced with Dr. Soubin Sisavath, CIRCULAR Project Coordinator, providing an overview of the project and emphasizing the importance of inter-institutional collaboration in promoting circular practices and addressing social and environmental issues across Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, with acknowledging the good practices done in Europe as examples. Following this, Asst. Prof. Dr. Vatthanamixay Chansomphou, CIRCULAR Project Researcher and Head of Student Affairs at Faculty of Environmental Science, delivered an inspiring lecture on the concept of circular economy and waste management, encouraging participants to adopt and sustain these practices at individual and institutional levels.
A dynamic panel discussion, featuring representatives from academia, government agencies, private enterprises, and NGOs, explored “education and research to promote circular economy, social innovation, and local engagement.” One panellist highlighted the crucial role of collaboration, stating, “Collaboration between universities and other stakeholders, especially private enterprises, can significantly promote the circular economy. Enterprises need academic expertise from universities on how to transform waste into reusable or commercial products, while they can contribute funding for research activities and seek commercialization opportunities.” During the discussion and networking session, participants also actively shared their opinion and experience regarding waste management, current facing environmental issues and suggested practical ways to collaborate among stakeholders to raise awareness of circular practices and involve local community.
Lecturers explained different types of wastes for different bin
The celebration of CIRCULAR Awareness Day and launch of the CIRCULAR Living Lab at NUOL are a testament to the university’s dedication to fostering sustainable practices and empowering the next generation to address critical environmental issues in Laos and beyond.
ABOUT / BIO
National University of Laos (NUOL) is a national and comprehensive university, established in 1995 by amalgamating three universities and seven colleges and institutions operated under different ministries into one university. NUOL is under the supervision of Ministry of Education and Sports in designing and delivering educational programs and academic services to society. As of 2025, the university offers over 200 academic programs ranging from higher diploma to doctoral levels. It homes of more than 1300 staff and academics and 14,000 students. It has been dedicated to achieving its vision of becoming a centre for education and research, adhering to high regional and international standards for quality. NUOL is the higher education institution (HEI) in Lao PDR selected as a member of ASEAN University Network. NUOL has prioritized international academic cooperation as one of its institutional strategies to enhance quality of education provisions and learning outcomes. It has been actively engaged in collaborating with HEIs from Europe under the framework of Erasmus+ Programme on Capacity Building in Higher Education and International Credit Mobility.
Contact details
Dr. Soubin Sisavath
CIRCULAR Project Coordinator
International Relations Office
National University of Laos
Email: soubin@nuol.edu.la
