The Association for Promoting Sustainability in Campuses and Communities (APSCC), in collaboration with Université Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris, Pondicherry University, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, successfully conducted a transformative training and capacity-building program focused on the ‘Green Protocol’. This initiative brought together postgraduate students, researchers, and young learners to explore sustainable practices and align their efforts with global environmental goals.
Program Highlights
Focus Areas
The program emphasized the water-food-energy-biodiversity nexus, fostering awareness and skills in:
- Resource Recovery: Techniques to recycle and repurpose resources for a circular economy.
- Conservation Efforts: Protecting biodiversity and sustaining ecosystems.
- Entrepreneurship: Encouraging green business ideas and startups.
Special attention was given to ‘Regenerative Agriculture’, an integrated approach that:
- Restores Topsoil Health: Enhancing soil biodiversity and nutrient availability.
- Strengthens the Water Cycle: Improving water retention and supporting ecosystem services.
- Mitigates Climate Change: Promoting bio-sequestration and resilience against environmental challenges.
Capacity-Building Objectives
The training aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to:
- Develop and implement green campus strategies for sustainability.
- Create replicable frameworks for universities, colleges, and schools worldwide.
- Drive institutional and community-wide compliance with the ‘Green Protocol.’
Release of the Activity Report
The pictorial activity report was ceremonially released by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Gurmeet Singh in the presence of notable dignitaries:
- Thiru P. Dhanabal, Chief Judge & Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Puducherry.
- Thiru L. Robert Kennedy Ramesh, Principal Sub-Judge & Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Puducherry.
- Prof. K.V. Devi Prasad, Pondicherry University.
- Aravazhi Irissappane, Director.
- Dr. Golda A. Edwin, Executive Director, APSCC (Convener).
- Dr. M. Nandhivarman, Secretary-General, APSCC.
- Dr. Stephanos Stephanides, University of Cyprus.
Impact and Future Goals
This initiative set a roadmap for integrating sustainable practices into academic institutions worldwide, offering:
- Comprehensive Frameworks: For green campuses and eco-friendly infrastructure.
- Global Networking: Facilitating collaborations between students, researchers, and thought leaders from diverse institutions.
- Actionable Insights: Empowering participants to drive real-world change through conservation, resource management, and innovation.
The program also fostered a deeper understanding of regenerative agriculture as a cornerstone for climate resilience and sustainable ecosystems.