Opeyemi Ijidale, a student from PCGS, was awarded a scholarship for his efforts in air and waste management
On February 4th and 5th, the Florida Section hosted its 60th annual Conference and Exposition at the picturesque Safety Harbor Resort & Spa in Tampa Bay. Themed “Creating a Safe Harbor: Balancing Regulation, Environment, and Innovation,” the event featured a variety of technical presentations from industry leaders, addressing some of the most pressing topics in the field. Representatives from regulatory agencies across Florida, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), along with top consultants and academic professionals, participated in the discussions. This conference was crafted to foster networking and facilitate engaging conversations among experts in air, water, and waste management.
One of the standout presentations was delivered by our esteemed Dr. Pradeep Haldar,
who is Director of Sustainable Business, Courtesy and Adjunct Professor at the Patel
College of Global Sustainability. His talk delved into critical subjects such as trends
in greenhouse gas emissions, opportunities for improvement, and the intricacies of
GHG reporting, tracking, and measurement, along with the latest climate impact trends.
In addition to Dr. Haldar's enlightening talk, we also celebrated one of our talented
students, Opeyemi Ijidale. He received a prestigious scholarship from the Florida
Section of the Air & Waste Management Association, which honors graduate students
in Florida who are dedicated to careers or research in air and waste pollution management.
Opeyemi earned this accolade through his significant contributions to the field and
a compelling essay that outlined his journey in sustainability and waste management,
along with the motivations driving his aspirations.
Ijidale shared that the Patel College of Global Sustainability played a crucial role
in his discovery of the scholarship, which he learned about through an announcement
on his Canvas page. Furthermore, he received an exceptional letter of recommendation
from Dr. Ghebremichael.
This scholarship granted Ijidale a $500 cash prize. He felt honored not only to receive
this award but also to be acknowledged for his dedication to improving air pollution
control and waste management, as well as his contributions to the Air and Waste Management
Association. The opportunity allowed him to connect with industry experts on various
topics, including air regulation, compliance, and gas policy. This recognition has
significantly bolstered Ijidale's academic and professional journey.