Category: Announcements

IGCS Summer School 2022

Sustainable Waste Management in the Nexus of Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy

Date: 18 July to 29 July 2022

Venue: Aachen, Germany

Objective

Achieving net-zero emissions and zero carbon footprint by the year 2050 are the major targets set by every nation to preclude the worst effects of climate change. Defossilization, switching to circular economy models to increase circularity per capita, adopting nature-based regenerative and resilient climate solutions, reducing our dependency on fossils, augmenting energy efficiency in production processes and waste prevention are the key interventions required to meet the net-zero goals. Sustainable waste management is central to the development and deployment of strategies to transition to a „low carbon circular economy“ in order to build a sustainable economic, natural and social capital.

Addressing sustainable waste and resource management requires an interdisciplinary and integrated approach that considers advances in research, technological implementations, waste prevention, reuse and recycling approaches, management and regulatory aspects, as well as the socio-economic and environmental considerations.

This edition of the IGCS Summer School aims to bring out the connections of sustainable waste management with clean energy, energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions, bio-based economy, and restoration of the ecosystem and its services. Topics that will be deliberated include best practices and emerging strategies in Germany and India, such as composting of biodegradable wastes, handling of construction debris, incineration of residual waste, and plastics upcycling methods, liquefaction of unsegregated municipal solid wastes and recycling of industrial wastes.  

It brings together Indian and German students who will jointly and interactively develop their skills with the following learning outcomes:

  1. Identifying measures and opportunities in the circular economy to contribute to climate protection
  2. Developing a fundamental and holistic understanding of different waste management systems and technologies
  3. Proposing innovative solutions to strengthen the circular economy
IGCS Summer School 2022 Information Flyer
IGCS Summer School 2022 Information Flyer

Schedule

This Summer School will run for twelve days from July 18th until July 29th 2022 and will have two major work streams. The mornings and afternoons will be reserved for lectures and talks given by German and Indian academics and practitioners. The second workstream is dedicated to project work (see below).

Format

The School will consist of lectures, group works, panel discussions, excursions and intercultural exchanges.

The Summer School will be a physical event in Aachen, Germany.

Participants

The course is open to German* and Indian Master’s and PhD. Students. Knowledge of sustainability topics is of advantage. The number of participants is limited to 30 (15 German /15 Indian).

Selected participants from German universities will receive a mobility scholarship of up to 50€ as well as a scholarship of 240€ to cover living expenses during School.

Selected participants from Indian universities will receive a mobility scholarship of 1.075€ as well as a scholarship of 240€ to cover living expenses during School. IGCS is covering the costs of stay.

*Non-German students and university graduates can apply if they are enrolled in the course of study at a German university to obtain a degree at a German university. For more Information check DAAD-Website: Bewerbungen um ein Stipendium (German only).

Application

Interested students may apply through the 2022 Application Form. The application deadline is 30. April 2022. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

The link is open from 01.04.2022 – 30.04.2022, 7 PM CET/11:30 PM IST. You will need to register first before you enter the actual form. You can switch between German and English. Please read the instructions carefully, including the help notes attached to many entry boxes.

Please prepare the following documents to be uploaded through the form:

  1. CV
  2. Transcript of records of last completed semester/graduation certificate
  3. Letter of recommendation from an academic supervisor. It should state your academic and personal qualifications for participation in the School.
  4. Enrolment certificate
  5. Passport Copy

Positive results will be announced by May 2022. We kindly ask you to refrain from inquiries about the application status in the meantime. Your data will be deleted if you are not accepted.

Contact

Please contact project coordinator Lisa van Aalst or Dr Anna Uffmann if you have any questions.

Organizers

IGCS Area Coordinators for Waste, Prof. Dr Vinu (IITM), Prof. Dr Martin Kranert (University of Stuttgart), and Dr Gabriela Garcés (University of Stuttgart).

Launch of the documentary on ‘Chennai – A Global South Metropolis in the Peri-Cene

International conference: CHALLENGES TO DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND RESILIENT HABITAT
At the CENTRE FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT STUDIES, April 5-6, 2022

As the human population increases, so does the pressure for urbanization…. Around the world, metropolitan regions are haphazardly “sprawling” past their effective borders and into the sub-optimal peri-urban areas. The planet has entered the ‘Peri-cene’ phase – a new global human-environment system shaped by peri-urbanization.

The Indian city of Chennai shows many challenges, with a combination of climate risk, socio-economic divisions and disruptions, and sub-optimal governance. Here the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS) at IIT Madras has focused on three critical areas – water, land use, and governance – in collaboration with the University of Manchester and KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Stockholm) on the global project Peri-cene.

Around the world peri-urban settlements suffer the impacts of climate-driven weather extremes – cyclones in South East Asia, wildfires in Australia, riverine flooding in China. On the positive side, there are many examples of peri-urban resilience, via novice solutions or “adaptive pathways”, with transformational agro-ecology, natural flood management or eco-tourism. With peri-urban land areas around the world now doubling every 24 years, there is an urgent need to steer the peri-urban towards resilience and sustainability. But this raises challenges both for science and for policy.

Program:

PERI-CENE: FILM SCREENING & ROUND TABLE: April 5th

  • 4.30-6.00 IST
    ‘Urbanization, Disaster Risk Reduction & Adaptive Pathways: Chennai in global context’


4.35: Introduction & global context: disaster management in the ‘peri-eco-urban Anthropocene (chair: Joe Ravetz, University of Manchester)


4.40: Introduction to the film & the Peri-urban Initiative (Christoph Woiwode, IGCS, IITM)


4.45: Screening: Chennai – a global south metropolis in the global peri-cene


5.20: panel responses: Dr Loraine Kennedy, French Institute Pondicherry: Prof. Ismu Rini Dwi Ari, University of Brawijaya: Dr Lakshmi Ragajendran, University College London:


5.35: open discussion – challenges & ways forward


5.55: wrapping up & next steps: (Prof. Chella Rajan, IGCS, IITM Chennai).
The film is also available on “Chennai – A Global South Metropolis in the Peri-Cene”
Any queries & comments: joe.ravetz@manchester.ac.uk

Cover Photo Credits: Chait Goli: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bird-s-eye-view-of-city-during-dawn-2093323/

Winter School 2022

Winter School 2022

Sustainable Waste Management for a Circular Economy

Date: 21 February to 04 March 2022

Venue: Virtual Event

Objective

Growing economies with the current linear production and consumption systems are creating an imbalance in the environment and in the flow of materials and resources. Huge amounts of waste are generated as a result of anthropogenic activities, and the management capacities of these waste streams are already over the limit. With the climate challenges and the current increase in demand and shortage of resources, the handling of wastes requires circular approaches that permit the recovery of resources for a more sustainable economy. The conventional thinking about wastes “out of sight – out of mind” should be replaced by “waste-to-wealth” for a sustainable society. Efficient waste management systems are necessary to reduce pollution of water, air and soil, and for the protection of the natural resources and our ecosystems. Sustainable waste management is an important element towards a circular economy and the reduction of emissions. Moreover, it can enable a more just and healthy society.

Addressing sustainable waste and resource management requires an interdisciplinary and integrated approach that considers advances in research, technological implementations, reuse and recycling approaches, management and regulatory aspects, as well as the socio-economic and environmental considerations.

This edition of the IGCS winter school is focused on municipal solid waste management, plastic waste management, industrial waste management and responsible reuse of wastewater, wherein experts from India and Germany would share their experiences and best practices for a sustainable society.

It brings together Indian and German students who will jointly and interactively develop their skills with the following learning outcomes:

  1. Develop a fundamental and holistic understanding of the different waste-to-value processes.
  2. Evaluate different technologies for resource, materials and energy recovery from wastes from a sustainability and environment viewpoint.
  3. Propose innovative and circular solutions to practical waste management problems.

Schedule

This Winter School will run for twelve days from February 21st until March 4th 2022 and will have two major work streams. The mornings and afternoons will be reserved for lectures and talks given by German and Indian academics and practitioners. The second workstream is dedicated to project work (see below).

Format

The school will consist of lectures, group works, panel discussions, excursions and intercultural exchanges.

In view of the ongoing pandemic situation, the Winter School 2022 will be held in a virtual format.

Participants

The course is open to German* and Indian Master and PhD. Students. Knowledge of sustainability topics is of advantage. The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 30 (15 German /15 Indian). Selected participants will receive a scholarship of €240.00 for their participation in the virtual event.

*Non-German students and university graduates can apply if they are enrolled in a course of study at a German university with the aim of obtaining a degree at a German university. For more Information check DAAD-Website: Bewerbungen um ein Stipendium (German only).

Application

Interested students may apply through the 2022 Application Form. The application deadline is extended to 03. December 2021. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

The link is open from 19. October 2021 – 03. December 2021 7 PM CET/11:30 PM IST. You will need to register first before you enter the actual form. You can switch between German and English. Please read the instructions carefully, including the help notes that are attached to many entry boxes.

Please prepare the following documents to be uploaded through the form:

  1. CV
  2. Transcript of records of last completed semester/graduation certificate
  3. Letter of recommendation from an academic supervisor. It should state your academic and personal qualifications for the participation of the school.
  4. Enrolment certificate

Positive results will be announced by December 2021. We kindly ask you to refrain from inquiries about the application status in the meantime. Your data will be deleted if you were not accepted.

Contact

Please contact project coordinator Lisa van Aalst or Dr Anna Uffmann if you have any questions.

Organizers

IGCS Area Coordinators for Waste, Prof. Dr Vinu (IITM), Prof. Dr Martin Kranert (University of Stuttgart), and Dr Gabriela Garcés (University of Stuttgart).

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IGCS-motan Workshop

#sustainabilitychallengeRethinking the Future of Plastics

Your ideas are too good to be forgotten!

IGCS and motan are carrying out a two-day virtual workshop.

IGCS-motan Workshop flyer 2022
IGCS-motan Workshop flyer 2022

Have you always had ideas on how to revolutionize the way we work and live with plastics in a sustainable way?

Then take part in our #sustainabilitychallenge: ‘Reduce | Re-Use | Recycle | Recover – Strategies Towards a Sustainable Plastics Industry: Rethinking the Future of Plastics’ and make a difference – shape the future with your innovative and sustainable ideas. 

Our collaborative efforts are dedicated to helping students from Indian and German academic institutions to develop and foster sustainable ideas. This workshop is a continuation of our joint vision: incorporate innovative and sustainable ideas generation in interdisciplinary research, teaching, training, and exchange in the area of sustainable development. Together motan and IGCS would like to motivate and support students to conduct research in the area of plastics and the circular economy.

Thus, IGCS and motan jointly extend an invitation to be a part of our event. We are always looking for motivated students to carry out a research project or an industry internship supported by motan and the IGCS.

Applications are now open. Please find the link here.

Deadline: 31. October 2022

Workshop Details:

Date: 6 – 7 December 2022

Program: Impulse lectures by domain experts, work in small groups on related topics and presentations

Target group: Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate (Bachelors), post-graduate (Masters), or doctoral program in Indian or German academic institutions

Award: The winner will get the opportunity to work out a research project with the support of motan and the IGCS

Requirements:

● Letter of Motivation

● CV

● Certification of enrolment (in current university)

About motan

Sustainability is a core value within the motan culture. This means not only the products, solutions, and behavior but also the training of young people and the development of global networks. In addition to social aid and cultural projects, the foundation’s focus is on introducing social responsibility into business activities. For more information on motan and their activities, please visit the link.

German-Indian Higher Education Dialogue

6th July 2021. Tuesday. 11.00 AM – 12.30 PM CET (2.30 PM -4.00 PM IST)

German Varsity in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Indo Euro Synchronization is organizing a unique virtual event: ” Germany- India Dialogue on Higher Education” in order to address the need of the hour topics of Higher Education between India and Germany.

The event aims to bring policymakers, decision-makers from academia & industry from both countries to share best practices under the current circumstances and to encourage bilateral relations in the Higher education, Science, and technology sectors in the near future.

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This is an opportune moment to celebrate our 70th year of Indo-German diplomatic relations, and adopting the new normal in order to achieve quality higher education practices between India and Germany.
This event will be very fruitful for Higher Education institutions, policymakers, education enthusiasts, and students across both countries.
Please register by clicking the following link to block your seat:

Link: https://ciionline.webex.com/ciionline/onstage/g.php?MTID=eba7f24d784bca30fd92378ea828297dd

Event Number: 156 672 0506
Event Password: tvV8JmcY3v4
Video Address: 1566720506@ciionline.webex.com

In the case of questions, please feel free to write us at consult@indoeurosync.com or info@germanvarsity.de or look into www.germanvarsity.de

Call for Abstracts – NatRiskChange conference – Co-PREPARE participation

Research Training Group NatRiskChange at the University of Potsdam is organizing a second International Conference on Natural Hazards and Risks in a Changing World 5-6 October 2021.

https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/natriskchange/activities/second-international-natriskchange-conference-2021

Sharing the same goal COPREAPRE as one of the partners encourages the contribution and participation of the IIT Roorkee and the COPRPEPARE team. We would be happy to financially support the participation of research students, PhDs, postdocs, and faculty in a limited capacity.

Abstract submission deadline is 15 May 2021.

Summer School 2020: Online-event in October!

New Summer School dates: 05.10.2020 – 16.10.2020

More information about the school

The organizers of the IGCS Summer School 2020 have been closely observing the dynamic development in regards to the Corona virus SARS-CoV-2 and the safety precuations and travel restrictions that have come along with it.

IGCS has thus made the decision to conduct the summer school into an eco- and pandemic-friendly online format. The selected candidates will meet and collaborate virtually between October 5 – 16, 2020.

The organizers look forward to e-meet the interested and excellent students from India and Germany!

The application deadline ended on the 14th of June.

Summer Call for IGCS Scholarships in 2020

Update August 2020: given the current safety precautions and travel restrictions due to the Corona virus SARS-CoV-2, we strongly recommend selected fellows / interested applicants from the 2020 batch to postpone / plan the exchange not before 2021.

IGCS is proud to announce the scholarship program for 2020. We are inviting excellent researchers (Master and PhD students, Postdocs and Professors)

  • from German universities research institutions who plan to visit IGCS at IIT Madras in 2020. Update: Please note that IIT Madras has closed the campus for international students until the end of 2020 and will reopen in January 2021 at the earliest.
  • from Indian universities (IIT Madras, IIT Tirupati, IIT Palakkad, IIT Manid) who plan a research visit to a German university or research institution in 2020.

to apply for an IGCS scholarship. We collect applications until February 29 (winter call) and June 30 2020 (summer call). Spread the word!

Prospective deadlines for 2021 scholarships will be February 28 (winter call) and June 30 (summer call) 2021!

Please find all details in regard to funding, process and eligibility on our page “Grants”.

Workshop “Resilient cities: promises and paradoxes”

IGCS-Alumni Mariana Brito invites early-career researchers to participate in the international workshop “Resilient cities: promises and paradoxes”

She says: “Participation is mainly by invitation. Nevertheless, we would like to provide room for additional participants to share their insights. […] Applications should include a short CV and motivation letter […]. The workshop is free of charge and [organizers] will cover the costs for accommodation and transportation. […]”

When? Postponed until further notice
Where? Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
Application Deadline: original deadline March 20, 2020
Contact: Mariana de Brito (mariana.brito@ufz.de)
More information:
Homepage Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)