Kanpur, November 19, 2022: The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in collaboration with the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), is organizing a training program on innovative technologies of renewable energies for rural areas to mitigate challenges of climate change.
The training program, which began on 17 November 2022, would be conducted till 24th November 2022.
The course objective is to sensitise participants on using the engineering of renewable energies as a tool to fight back against the impact of climate change.
The inauguration of the Training Programme was held on 17th November 2022 at the Outreach Auditorium of IIT Kanpur. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Seceretary General, AARDO was the Chief Guest for the occasion, while Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director of IIT Kanpur accompanied him. Prof. A. R. Harish, Dean of Research & Development, IIT Kanpur, Dr. Sanjeeb K Behera, Head of Administration and Research Divisions, AARDO, Prof. B.V. Rathish Kumar, Head, CCE IIT Kanpur and Prof. J. Ramkumar, Coordinator, RuTAG IIT Kanpur, were present at the inauguration event, among others.
African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) is a rural-centric inter-governmental autonomous organization that subscribes to the spirit of South-South and Triangular Cooperation and has 33 member countries. This jointly-organized course is being held for the benefit of middle and senior-level executives from government departments, ministries, and agriculture engineers and scientists engaged in policy formulation, implementation, planning and appraisals.
Prof. J. Ramkumar welcomed the participants and introduced the initiatives taken by IIT Kanpur to develop technologies that will harness renewable energy. “The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to transform our world. More than any other sector, agriculture is the common thread which holds the SDGs together. Regarding this training, the USP is ‘Learn by doing”, he said.
Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director of IIT Kanpur said, “I hope that this programme would inspire more people to move towards sustainable energy. We have our dedicated Sustainable Energy Engineering Department to work on issues related to sustainability. Our focus is empowering the rural areas around us through the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) established in our institute. A platform is given to rural innovations in this centre and we have also transferred technology to the African countries through AARDO. We’re delighted to have signed an MoU with AARDO for student exchange programs and high end skilling.” He wished for the participants to have a pleasant stay and a valuable experience at IIT Kanpur.
Addressing the inaugural session, His Excellency Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary-General, AARDO, said, “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Its most severe impacts may still be avoided if efforts are made to transform current energy systems. At AARDO, a compendium/basket of technologies has been compiled in the form of dynamic database of innovative technologies captioned as “Affordable Technology Menu” (ATM), wherein available technologies for transfer as well as the innovative technology are parked. A few of the samples of selected technologies from the ATM are being handed over to four member countries.”
“I am very much sure that during this training programme, the presentation of the renowned resource persons, country delegates and the deliberation on the subject will contribute positively in arriving at valuable recommendations,” H.E. the Secretary General added.
Dr. Sanjeeb K Behera, outlined the mission of AARDO and its relevance to today’s world, while Prof. B. V. Rathish Kumar, invited the participants and he hoped that the participants leave with a pleasant educational experience.
