UNESCO has appointed a new Chair in India.
- A new UNESCO Chair has been appointed at Pondicherry University in India, adding to the network of 20 other Chairs across South Asia.
Founded in 1992, the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme is a collaborative network of higher education institutions that aims to tackle complex, interconnected development challenges. The program fosters international cooperation and networking among universities to strengthen their institutional capacities through knowledge-sharing and collaborative efforts.
The Chair focusing on “Renewable and Clean Energy for Sustainable Development” has been established in the Department of Green Energy Technology at the Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technologies, Pondicherry University. This Chair will promote greener and cleaner energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass, hydro, ocean energy, and green hydrogen, to tackle critical global challenges such as climate change, global warming, environmental pollution, and the energy crisis, all in pursuing sustainable development.
Additionally, the Chair will advocate for developing effective technologies such as fuel cells, hydrogen systems, electric mobility solutions, energy-efficient storage systems, carbon capture methods, green building practices, and green chemical technologies. These initiatives aim to enhance sustainability in energy generation and usage.
There are now 21 UNESCO Chairs in South Asia. These Chairs leverage university expertise and foster collaboration to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are crucial in advancing UNESCO’s strategic educational, natural and social sciences, culture, and communication goals. Functioning as think tanks, the Chairs serve as bridges between academia, civil society, local communities, researchers, and policymakers.
- The UNESCO Chair at Pondicherry University (PU) aims to collaborate with various stakeholders, including governments, schools, colleges, universities, industries, NGOs, businesses, researchers, technology developers, and environmentally conscious individuals. This collaboration will focus on promoting and developing renewable energy technologies to support sustainable development.
Professor R. Arun Prasath has been appointed to hold the newly established UNESCO Chair, a decision mutually agreed upon by UNESCO in Paris and Pondicherry University.
- Pondicherry University, often called PU, is a prominent central research university in the serene locale of Kalapet, Pondicherry, within the Union Territory of Puducherry, India. This esteemed institution was founded in 1985 through an Act of Parliament, reflecting the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, and Government of India’s commitment to promoting higher education and research in the region.
- The Vice President of India, who serves as the Chancellor, is at the helm of the university’s governance, guiding the institution’s academic and administrative policies. The Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry plays a crucial role as the Chief Rector, overseeing the university’s operations and ensuring its alignment with regional educational goals. Furthermore, the President of India holds the title of Visitor, symbolizing the university’s connection to the national educational framework and its mission to foster academic excellence and innovation. Together, these leaders contribute to the university’s reputation as a research and higher learning hub, attracting students and scholars from diverse backgrounds.
Sources: UNESCO, Pondicherry University
CitiTimes 