Hon'ble Mr. Eric Falt, Regional Director UNESCO's Cluster office New Delhi launched the first Carbon Neutral Campus at MIT ADT University at Rajbaug, Loni – Pune on 4thApril 2019
MIT Art, Design and Technology (MIT ADT) University Campus at Rajbaug, Loni, Pune has announced its mission to be Carbon Neutral on 4thApril. The project is a part of the Smart Campus Cloud Network (SCCN) project of TERRE Policy Centre to mainstream Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by deploying Internet of Things (IoT).
The project of SCCN is supported by UNESCO-Paris and HRD Ministry of India.
The launching ceremony took place at the hands of Hon'ble Mr. Eric Falt, Regional Director, UNESCO at MIT ADT University campus on Thursday, 4th April 2019. SCCN - unique and bold project-will not only create awareness about climate change, renewable energy, Energy Conservation, Water Management, Waste Management, Air pollution and Sustainable Transport, but would set a new educational strategy of 'learning by doing' for the future. The active participation of the students and faculty, and not only administration of the campus is the key feature of SCCN. It is expected that such transformative education will permeate across the campuses and in the minds of future policy makers. The Cloud Network, a virtual collaborative network of campuses to trigger a spirit of sharing and innovation amongst students is the distinct feature of SCCN.
"MIT group of institutions strive for amalgamation of 3 S-Science, Sustainability and Spirituality, which would lead us to sustainable development and peace. I strongly believe that Smart Campus Cloud Network is the tool for achieving that objective", said the visionary founder and inspiring spirit behind the project.
"UNESCO, which is dedicated to mainstream the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the global education system is pleased to be associated with SCCN. I am sure MIT ADT campus would achieve the Carbon Neutrality soon", said Eric Falt, Regional Director of UNESCO's cluster office that engages Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
"Carbon Neutrality of the campus is the timely initiative under the Smart Campus Cloud Network (SCCN) that would contribute to achieving the targets of emission reduction needed to keep the global temperature rise below 2 deg C by deploying digital technologies like IoT", said Rajendra Shende, Chairman of TERRE and former Director of UNEP
Hon. Dr. Mangesh Karad, Executive President of MITADT University pledgedfor transforming the MITADT University campus Smart and Carbon Neutral under the initiative 'Carbon Neutral University Campus' of SCCN. Core group of the students and the faculty would now develop a road map for carbon neutrality.
The launching event of SCCN on 4thApril 2019 was honored by the presence of Hon. Mr. Eric Falt (Regional Director, UNESCO New Delhi), Hon. Lt. Col Kailash Bansal (Director, Skill Development Cell, AICTE, HRD Ministry), Hon. Prof Dr. Vishwanath K Karad (Founder, President and Managing Trustee, MAEER MIT Group of Institutions), Hon. Dr. Mangesh Karad (Executive President, MITADT University), Hon. Dr. Sunil Rai (Vice Chancellor, MITADT University), Hon. Rajendra Shende (Chairman, TERRE Policy Centre) and Hon. Dr. Vinitaa Apte (Founder Director, TERRE Policy Centre and Former Director UNEP).