Category: News

5th Indo-German Dialogue Announced

Posted on 30/05/202330/05/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in Lan Use / Rural and Urban Development, News

5th Indo-German Dialogue on Green Practices:

“Genus loci – Locality matters”: Embedding sustainable transformation in local contexts

Dates: 13th – 15th October 2023

Place: Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, South India

Convenors: Dr. Christoph Woiwode, IGCS at IIT Madras, in collaboration with F5Green Foundation, Tiruvannamalai

After a break of three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are planning to launch the 5th iteration of the Indo-German Dialogue on Green (Urban) Practices (IGD).

This year’s focus is on place specificity and how locality matters for sustainable development. embedding sustainable transformation in local contexts in terms of their cultural, social, ecological, economic and other dimensions. We acknowledge that there exist different worldviews in India and across India and Germany. Can we identify those to explore how sustainability is brought to live in place specific contexts? This can be an endeavour to make more explicit, by becoming more aware, the underlying worldviews and values of our actions. In doing so, how can we connect locality to the worldviews and values to also probe critically what kind of transitions may be needed? And how dies the regeneration of urban places or more generally how does ‘place-making’ happen?

Concept Note for the 5th IGD_12-05-2023 Download

If you want to register please click here (https://forms.gle/jBWenCBDdjiMv5B2A)

There is no registration fee!

Anica Roßmöller research stay at IIT Madras to study Faith and Localization of SDGs in India

Posted on 24/05/202324/05/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in Lan Use / Rural and Urban Development, News, Research

IGCS-fellow Anica Roßmöller, affiliated with the Institute of Political Sciences at the University Muenster participated in a research stay at the IIT Madras, Chennai, India between 3. March to 30. April 2022 for their work on the theme “The role of faith in the localization of environmental SDGs in India” under the IGCS focus area of Land Use / Rural and Urban Development. They were an alumni of the IGCS Winter School 2020 who was granted a research scholarship to continue their work on their doctoral thesis.

You can read more about their experiences in our latest edition of IGCS Experience Reports, which you can also download below:

IGCS Experience Reports – Anica Roßmöller, 2023 Download

Are you interested in research on sustainability issues? The Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS) awards scholarships to students and researchers whose projects on sustainability issues benefit from a research exchange to India or Germany. Our research fellows receive a one-time travel fund in addition to a monthly scholarship. The scholarship provides travel and living expenses according to DAAD funding rates, as a rule. The Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS) offers scholarships to help you achieve your academic and professional goals.

Learn more about scholarship opportunities.

First IGCS Policy Brief for 2023 published

Posted on 17/05/202318/05/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in Uncategorized

IGCS Area Coordinator for the focus area Land Use / Rural and Urban Development Development at IIT Madras, Dr. Ashwin Mahalingam, and former IIT Madras student Pokhraj Nayak, affiliated with the Building Technology & Construction Management (BTCM) Group, Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Madras have published their policy brief titled “How Green will Chennai be? Understanding and Reducing the Carbon Footprint due to Residential and Commercial Construction over the next two decades.” As India urbanizes rapidly, buildings account for significant energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The construction industry, particularly in cities like Chennai, contributes a quarter of CO2 emissions. Without mitigation efforts, these emissions will escalate, but recycling materials, choosing energy-efficient alternatives, and employing available technologies can help reduce carbon emissions and address the environmental impact of urbanization.

You can read more in the published policy brief, which you can also download below:

IGCS_PolicyBrief_2301-WebCompressed Download

Learn more about scholarship opportunities.

RWTH Aachen & ETS India hosts webinar: “Why Study in Germany”

Posted on 17/05/202317/05/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in News

RWTH Aachen University and ETS India bring you a free webinar, “Unlocking Opportunities: Why Studying in Germany Could Be Your Ticket to Success.”

The webinar highlights the manifold benefits that studying in Germany can offer Indian students. It will primarily focus on the high quality of education, research prospects, and job market opportunities that German universities provide. Additionally, the webinar will delve into the distinct characteristics of German culture and society, elucidating how these may prove advantageous to Indian students.

Register for the webinar happening on 19th May 2023 from 6:30 PM onwards. Come interact with us and get exclusive tips related to studying in Germany.

Visit https://lnkd.in/dXe7ynbg and register for the upcoming webinar today.

Prof. Dr. Elisa T. Bertuzzo conducts exchange research at IIT Madras on Peripheralisation and Translocalisation amidst the Pandemic

Posted on 10/05/202311/05/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in News

IGCS-fellow Prof. Dr. Elisa T. Bertuzzo, affiliated with the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts conducted their research on the project theme of “Peripheralisation in an Age of Translocalisation” under the IGCS focus area of Land Use / Rural and Urban Development at the IIT Madras, Chennai, India from December 2021 to February 2022. Despite the pandemic and travel restrictions, they were able to conduct fieldwork in Chennai. Their work focused on the field of Urban/Migration Studies and (Visual) Anthropology, particularly in the understanding of collective negotiation, sharing and co-use of space, political organization, and solidarity that determine the production of space in peri-urban zones.

You can read more about her experiences in our latest edition of IGCS Experience Reports, which you can also download below:

IGCS Experience Report- Prof. Dr. Elisa T. Bertuzzo, 2023 Download

Learn more about scholarship opportunities.

Nandhini Duraimurugan’s Sediment Transport Study Published in ISH Journal

Posted on 28/04/202328/04/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in News, Research

The IGCS team is thrilled to share that Nandhini Duraimurugan, recipient of the IGCS research grant for 2023, has successfully published their research article titled “Field investigation of suspended sediment transport study in the Kandla Creek, Gujarat, India” in the ISH Journal of Hydraulics. This achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and innovative contributions to the scientific community. We are honored to have been a part of their journey. Congratulations, Nandhini

You can find the link to the article here.

Dr. Christoph Woiwode participated in the “Urban Sustainability and Smart City” workshop hosted by India-EU Urban Partnership Programme

Posted on 25/04/202325/04/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in Lan Use / Rural and Urban Development, News

As part of the India-EU Partnership, this workshop took place on 17 – 18 April, focusing on river rejuvenation, especially Chennai’s Cooum River. It was a pleasure being invited to join the EU Delegation for a talk on “Potentials of Adaptive Capacity for River Rejuvenation in Chennai: A socio-ecological Systems perspective.” The two-day event saw representatives from the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department and several research institutions, like Anna University in Chennai, interacting with experts from the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, and Germany. A wide range of relevant topics was discussed, including potential solutions covering nature-based approaches, governance and participation, groundwater and traditional water management systems, and the relevance of the current review for the third master plan of the Chennai metropolitan region.

For more information, you can read the full article at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/water-resources-department-looking-for-technical-support-funding-from-eu/article66767495.ece

Picture of Dr. Christoph Woiwode participated in “Urban Sustainability and Smart City” workshop hosted by India-EU Urban Partnership Programme

Zurück zur Erde: A Workshop on Human-Nature Relationships and Sustainability for Students and Teachers

Posted on 06/04/202306/04/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in News, Workshops

The “Zurück zur Erde” initiative, co-organized by Goethe Institute and the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS), aims to promote sustainability and raise awareness about the United Nations’ 17 Sustainability Goals among students and teachers. The initiative encourages them to adopt a modern, balanced lifestyle and become more mindful of sustainable practices.

The first workshop, held online on March 22nd and 27th, 2023, was mentored by Dr. Christoph Woiwode, a visiting faculty member at the IIT Madras and IGCS Postdoc. The workshop consisted of two 90-minute interactive online sessions and was attended by German-speaking school students in grades 9 to 11. The workshop focused on exploring participants’ personal perspectives and attitudes regarding human-nature relationships and examining social-cultural expressions of these relationships. Through activities, brief lectures, discussions, and individual self-reflection, participants engaged in a thoughtful and insightful exploration of sustainable practices. Activities were repeated in the second session, allowing for reflection in between.

The workshop yielded positive student outcomes. Some of the highlights are shown below. The project plans to conduct two more workshops focusing on sustainable energy use and sustainable water management in the near future.

Zurück zur Erde: A Workshop on Human-Nature Relationships and Sustainability for Students and Teachers

Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre Hosts Flood Pollution Workshop

Posted on 06/04/202306/04/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in News, Workshops

A three-day workshop on the topic of „Flood Pollution Assessment and Impact Knowledge Transfer“ took place at IIT Madras in Chennai from 22nd to 24th of February. The event was co-organized by the Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre (ABCD-Centre) and the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS) and brought together international experts, local actors, and students, from various disciplines to synergise interdisciplinary expertise, practical fieldwork, and laboratory analyses to address the pressing issue of flood-induced pollution.

The workshop fascilitated knowledge transfer and collaboration between science, industry, government, and civil society to study the processes of transport, distribution, deposition, dilution, and enrichment of pollution during riverine and marine flood events, along with their ecotoxicological hazards. Participants gained hands-on experience in sampling strategies, methods, and analysis techniques, allowing them to better understand the complex processes involved in flood pollution and its impacts on ecosystems. The program also included a field trip to collect sediment and water samples from three sites in Chennai for laboratory analyses that covered grain size, trace elements, microplastics, and microbial assessment, including resistant bacteria.

The event benefited participants by providing access to advanced knowledge and practical training from international experts. Furthermore, scientists gained valuable feedback from local actors to align their research with real-world challenges. Additionally, the workshops helped political and administrative decision-makers understand viable, economically feasible, and socially acceptable solutions for water and climate change adaptation. Ultimately, this workshop aimed to develop transfer strategies that are socially acceptable, technically viable, and economically feasible, contributing to more effective water and climate change adaptation efforts.

Picture for Global Water and Climate Adaptation Centre Hosts Flood Pollution Workshop

IGCS Summer School 2023 in Berlin, Germany

Posted on 31/03/202331/03/2023 by Rahul Rajkarnikar in News, Summer & Winter School

Summer School 2023

The Integration of Renewable Energies into a Power Grid – A Key Contribution towards a Carbon Neutral Society

Date: 24 July to 04 August 2023

Venue: Technical University in Berlin, Germany

IGCS Summer School 2023, Berlin — IGCS Summer School 2023 Information Flyer

Objective

Achieving net-zero emissions, mitigating climate change, preventing the excessive depletion of natural resources, and reducing waste are major challenges the world is facing today. The energy sector is of particular importance in meeting these challenges.

Nowadays, the primary targets and concerns worldwide are energy transition, clean energy, sustainable energy, and energy security. Based on the three main trends shaping the current and future global energy landscape – decarbonization, decentralization, and digitalization – the integration of renewable energy systems into the existing power grid represents a key challenge for an innovative and viable solution towards a carbon-neutral future.

The energy system of the future must be achieved through sustainable management of natural resources, ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, developing energy infrastructure and technologies, and raising political and social awareness to contribute to this overall system development.

This year IGCS Summer School focuses mainly on the technical aspects of integrating different renewable energy sources into the existing power grid as an innovative and potential solution towards a sustainable and clean energy future. The economic, environmental, and social aspects of this system will also be discussed during the school. It brings together students from Indian and German institutions, who will jointly and interactively develop their skills with the following learning outcomes:

developing a fundamental and holistic understanding of the technical aspects of integrating different renewable energy sources into the existing power grid
identifying the technical challenges that must be overcome to integrate a high proportion of renewable energy into the existing grid, such as developing infrastructure and technology, coordinating power generation from multiple sources, balancing power supply and demand, advancing grid storage options, and increasing energy flexibility.
identifying the main challenges and outstanding issues related to the implementation of renewable energy resources from economic, environmental, and social perspectives.
proposing innovative solutions and strategies to implement renewable resources on a large scale.

Schedule

This Summer School will run for twelve days from July 24^th until August 4^th 2023 and will consist of lectures, group works, panel discussions, excursions and intercultural exchanges.

The Summer School will be held as a physical event at the Technical University in Berlin, Germany.

Participants

The course is open to German* and Indian Master’s and PhD. Students. Knowledge of sustainability topics in the field of energy 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.

Selected participants from Indian universities will receive a mobility scholarship as well as a scholarship to cover living expenses during School.

IGCS is covering the costs of stay for all participants and will provide lunch on the weekdays.

*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 2023 Application Form. The application deadline is 01^st of May 2023. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

The link is open from 31^st of March – 1^st of May 2023(7 PM CET/10:30 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:

CV
Transcript of records of last completed semester/graduation certificate.
Letter of recommendation from an academic supervisor. It should state your academic and personal qualifications for participation in the IGCS Summer School.
Enrolment certificate of your University
Passport Copy
Motivation Letter

Positive results will be announced in the beginning of May. We kindly ask you to refrain from inquiries about the application status in the meantime. You will be informed if you are not accepted and your data will be deleted.

Students may be eligible to receive credit points for their participation in the IGCS Summer School. Please check with your home institution.

Contact

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

Organizers

IGCS Area Coordinators for Energy, Prof. Dr. Frank Behrendt (Technical University Berlin), Prof. Dr. Krishna Vasudevan (Indian Institute of Technology Madras), and Dr. Khulud Alsouleman (Technical University Berlin).

IGCS consortium				IGCS is funded by