Green Nallur Office Opens at the Faculty of Medicine, Jaffna

Medical students lead the setting up of a new hub for environmental sustainability and planetary health

Date: 7 November 2026     Venue: Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna

JAFFNA – The Green Nallur Office was officially opened at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, on 7 November 2026. The new office, which functions under the Faculty’s Student Wellbeing Center, marks a significant step towards advancing environmental sustainability and community-focused ecological initiatives within the Faculty.

Students at the Heart of the Initiative

The opening was shaped by the energy of the Faculty’s medical students, who led the organisation and set-up of the new office themselves. Armed with brooms, mops and a garden hose, they cleaned and prepared the room that will serve as the office, tidied the book shelves and rearranged the furniture, so that the space was ready to welcome its first visitors by the end of the day.

A Walk Through the Faculty Garden

As part of the programme, students and faculty members visited the Faculty Garden to see the green initiatives already under way and to discuss further opportunities for environmental development. Fruit trees, banana plants and young saplings were among the plantings visited, and the walk offered an opportunity to think about how the Faculty’s own grounds can become a living classroom for sustainability.

Planetary Health and the Role of the Doctor

Addressing the students, a senior professor of the Faculty explained the importance of planetary health in the prevention of disease, and the growing need for doctors to take part in eco-friendly projects. He drew a direct link between a healthy environment and healthy communities, and encouraged the future doctors to see environmental stewardship as part of their professional responsibility.

Key Highlights

• Student-led set-up: Medical students organised, cleaned and prepared the Green Nallur Office.
• Faculty Garden visit: Students and staff inspected ongoing green initiatives and explored new opportunities.
• Faculty mentorship: Three senior professors of the Faculty were present, offering guidance, encouragement and leadership.
• Expert support: One of the professors gave expert support to help the students shape and carry out the project’s key objectives.
• Planetary health message: The address highlighted the links between environmental wellness and community health outcomes.

Looking Ahead

The opening of the Green Nallur Office underscores the Faculty of Medicine’s ongoing commitment to integrating environmental responsibility with medical education and public health advocacy. By placing students at the centre of the initiative, the Faculty is helping to prepare a generation of doctors who understand that the health of patients and the health of the planet are closely connected.

Report prepared for the Faculty of Medicine website and the Annual Faculty Journal.  Photographs: Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna.