The first of the eight inter University centres of higher learning envisaged by the Government of Kerala will come up at the Mahatma Gandhi University campus.
The Rs.3 crore Centre, named Inter University Advanced Centre of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, will be inaugurated by the Minister for Education M.A. Baby on Wednesday at the School of Environmental Sciences.
The proposed Centre, through education and research, proposes to focus on resource conservation, development in harmony with natural environment, environmental quality, social equality and political commitment to make necessary changes. According to authorities, the Centre also envisages the presence of multidisciplinary group of scholars, scientists, educators, development practitioners, international experts and other professionals in the field at regional, national and international levels.
The areas of study at the Centre include, sustainable water resource management, sustainable energy use, sustainable health and sanitation, pollution studies, disaster management, waste management, mountain studies, sustainable agriculture, sustainable tourism, environmental education and governance and eco- friendly shelters.
The centre aims to facilitate and promote human resource development for sustainable management of natural resources through education and research, establish advanced facilities and promote research and extension for sustainable development, impart training to personnel of NGOs, industries, institutions, students, teachers farmers and other groups, offer information, education and communication for conservation of nature and to design development models for attaining equity and justice.
It will also seek to disseminate traditional environmental wisdom and practices and promote values for sustainable development, extend consultancy services in environmental and sustainable development projects.
The Minister will also inaugurate University Students’ Web Centre and lay the foundation stone for the Rs.1 crore University Staff quarters project on the occasion.
