2 November 2010
Creating Sustainable Futures: University of Dundee conference in India
The University of Dundee will next week hold a conference in India to identify areas for cooperation with Indian universities and to discuss how challenges such as climate change and resource depletion which require global solutions can be met.
Management and senior academics from the University will travel to New Delhi for the ‘Creating Sustainable Futures: The University of Dundee working in partnership with India' conference, which will take place on Wednesday, 10th November.
The conference will focus on those areas in which the University has a global reputation - such as renewable energy technologies and policies - and identify opportunities for collaboration with Indian research institutions and businesses, which would bring benefits to Scotland, India, and the rest of the world.
Following the conference there will be an evening networking event, co-sponsored by Scottish Development International (SDI), to promote ties between Scottish universities and colleges and existing and potential partners in India.
Participants in the conference will include senior managers from top Indian universities, ministries and industry. The Dundee contingent hosting the conference will be led by Professor Peter Downes, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University.
'We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to hold this event in India,' he said. 'It not only allows us to strengthen current relationships, but also to develop new partnerships supporting world-class research and teaching in sustainable development.'
Other participants from Dundee include Merv Rose, Professor of physical electronics; Peter Cameron, Professor of international energy law and policy; Colin Reid, Professor of environmental law; and, Dr Rod Jones, Dean of the School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics - all academic leaders in their respective fields.
The Indian economy has been growing rapidly since the middle of the 1990’s. Although this growth has led to a dramatic reduction in poverty levels, it has resulted in unplanned industrialisation, urbanisation and increased pressure on natural resources - posing a threat to the environment and human health.
Climate change, resource depletion, and sustainable development are complex issues that need to be addressed through cutting edge research and the education of a new generation of informed managers and technologists.
The University of Dundee - working in partnership with Indian institutions - is ideally placed to make a contribution in these areas with its breadth of research expertise that covers the spectrum from solar energy, wind, and biomass technologies to power management, law, policy and associated disciplines.
Confirmed Indian guest speakers include Dr Ligia Noronha and Mrs Mili Majumdar of the Energy and Resources Institute, Delhi (TERI), the top environmental research institute in India, Dr. Bibek Bandopadhyay, Director of the Solar Energy Centre of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Dr Atmanand of the Management Institute.
The conference will take place at the Habitat Centre in New Delhi on Wednesday, 10th November, just before the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI) Education Forum, and the annual meeting of the Association of Indian Universities in Pune. Professor Downes, has been invited to participate in both these events.
'This event is part of a week of activity by the SDI led mission of Scottish Universities around the FICCI Higher Education Summit which aims to position Scotland as the international partner of choice for Higher Education in India.' said Rooma Bussi, SDI Senior Business Development Manager - North & East India
These activities reflect strengthening links between Scotland and India. In October 2009, an agreement between Universities Scotland and the Association of Indian Universities agreed to share knowledge and best practice, promote student and faculty exchange, drive collaboration in research and development, encourage joint degree development and identify funding opportunities.
Also in 2009, the Governments of India and Scotland signed an agreement supporting cooperation in renewable energy. The University of Dundee conference is contributing to the aims of both these agreements.
During his visit to India last month, Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, recognised that new partnerships 'will benefit both Scotland and India, enhancing research and development opportunities, promoting student exchange and paving the way for further co-operation in the future.'
At the same time, Mr Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India stated his belief that 'the agreement with Scotland advances our sweeping reform agenda for higher education. We intend to empower our students by providing access to the finest university education the world has on offer.
'And in Scotland, with its higher learning tradition that goes back to the Renaissance, we have found a worthy partner.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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