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IGCS

IGCS conducts research on sustainability challenges and disseminates knowledge via academic exchanges It is located at IIT Madras.

The Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS) conducts research on current sustainability challenges and disseminates the knowledge thus generated and facilitates exchanges of students and researchers. Major funders are the Indian Department for Science and Technology (DST), the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) through funds of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and ou

r committed industry partner Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH. The Centre receives funding within the initiative of "New Passage to India" of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research BMBF and DAAD. It focusses on the protection of the environment considering water resources, energy, land use and sustainable urban and rural development and waste management. The Centre should promote the development of relevant ideas on and solutions to specific local issues by means of interdisciplinary research and study projects in the above mentioned areas. The IGCS will additionally contribute to the intensification of Indo-German cooperation in key academic fields. Research projects are funded by DST, Govt. of India, GIZ and Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, Regensburg, Germany.

05/12/2024

Celebrating the Impact of the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS)

Yesterday marked the conclusion of an extraordinary chapter—the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS) project officially came to a close. As we reflect on its incredible journey, it’s impossible not to marvel at the transformative impact IGCS has had over the years.

Here are some highlights of what this remarkable initiative achieved:

- Over 1,000 sponsored students, nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders.
- Successful summer and winter schools, workshops, and conferences, creating invaluable opportunities for knowledge exchange.
- Strengthened Indo-German research cooperation, connecting IIT Madras with four German partner universities through mobilities, scholarships for students and researchers, and joint academic endeavors.
- Industrial collaborations with leading companies such as Maschinenfabrik Rheinhausen and motan, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
- Pioneering publications and patents, advancing knowledge on sustainability topics.
- An active and engaged alumni network, ensuring the IGCS legacy continues to inspire and innovate.
- It has been a privilege to witness IGCS bring together diverse minds and foster international collaboration in tackling some of the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time.

While this chapter concludes, the impact of IGCS will live on through the knowledge, innovation, and community it has cultivated. Here's to the partnerships and possibilities that continue to grow from this foundation!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone—students, researchers, industry partners, and stakeholders—who contributed to making IGCS a beacon of sustainability and cooperation.

04/12/2024

The 4th edition of the IGCS-motan Workshop concluded yesterday after 6 impulse lectures, 1 workshop on entrepreneurship, 1 intercultural training and group works. We would like to thank our participants for making our event engaging and interactive. It is always a pleasure to witness talented scholars come together to bring new innovative ideas to life.

We would like to thank Dr. Narendra Reddy from CIIRC, Dr. Andreas Faith from Furtwangen University, and Jacqueline Plaster from everwave for leading their respective session on the second day.

This, however, is not the end of our event as our participants will be back on 13th of December to present their entrepreneurial outcome to our team.

02/12/2024

The first of the two day IGCS-motan Workshop kicks off today, bringing students from interdisciplinary backgrounds together to explore innovative and sustainable solutions for managing plastics within a circular economy. Its objective is to encourage students to develop entrepreneurial ideas focused on reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering plastics. The expected outcomes include identifying implementable ideas supported by funding and mentorship from IGCS and motan. Key focuses include interdisciplinary collaboration, sustainability, and practical innovation in plastic waste management.

We would like to convey our special thanks to our speakers today Rahul G. Rajkarnikar from International Office RWTH Aachen University, Raphaela Egger, Shakti Yadav of Buy Food with Plastic, Dr. Alexander Kronimus and Pia Christine Otto from RWTH Innovation for their engaging and interactive sessions.

Tomorrow, we are back again with more impulse lecture and student group works.

20/11/2024

Last week on 15. November 2024, the IGCS team came together in to reflect on a remarkable journey as we near the end of our current funding period in December 2024.

Over the years, we have accomplished so much together: carrying out joint research projects, teaching at German and Indian universities, individual exchanges as well as summer- and winter schools and workshops that bridged disciplines, and supported over 100 scholars, driving research collaborations and innovation in sustainability. It was a heartfelt experience to revisit memories, celebrate our collective achievements, and acknowledge the dedication of everyone who contributed to making this partnership a success.

As this chapter closes, we eagerly look forward to the next phase of Indo-German collaborations in sustainability. This partnership has shown how shared visions can lead to impactful outcomes, and we remain committed to nurturing these bonds to address pressing global challenges.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this transformative journey, Prof. Dr. Klaus Reicherter, Dr. Anna Kathrin Uffmann, Lisa Van Aalst and Rahul G. Rajkarnikar from RWTH Aachen University, Prof. Dr. Nicola Fohrer, Dr. Uta Ulrich and Lukas Paul Loose from Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Prof. Frank Behrendt and Dr. Khulud Alsouleman from Technische Universität Berlin, Dirk Weichgrebe, PD Dr.-Ing. habil. and Dr. Mozhiarasi Velusamy from Leibniz Universität Hannover, joining online were our team memers from IIT Madras- Prof. Dr. Krishna Vasudevan, Prof. Dr. Sannasiraj S A, Prof. Dr. Ashwin Mahalingam, Prof. Dr. Vinu Ravikrishnan and Ruthramoorthy Senthamaraikannan, and Prof. Dr. Tatjana Schneider from GTAS Braunschweig-we couldn't have done it without you!

13/11/2024

IGCS serves as a platform for research and academic exchange for Masters students, Doctoral candidates, and Scientists. Since its inception in 2010, we have been facilitating exchange of more than 1000 scholars from German and Indian academic institutions who are dedicated in contributing towards climate science.

The Experience Report Series celebrates our alumni and their success under IGCS. Today we share the experience report of Nhyiraba Ato-Burns who had their exchange period between 15. February 2024 until 15. May 2024 at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, , under the guidance of IGCS' Area Coordinator for the Focus Area Waste Management for the Indian side, Dr. Vinu Ravikrishnan. Their home institution is the Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management (ISAH), Leibniz Universität Hannover, and their home supervisor is IGCS' Area Coordinator for the Focus Area Waste Management for the German side, Dirk Weichgrebe, PD Dr.-Ing. habil.

Nhyiraba research exchange was motivated by an interest in India’s vast leather industry. They used this exchange as an opportunity to gather data directly relevant to their master’s thesis. Their fieldwork included visits to tanneries across , , and , where they gained hands-on insights into advanced leather processing technologies.

Despite initial language barriers, Nhyiraba’s adaptability and commitment enabled them to successfully navigate challenges, deepening their research perspective.

During their stay, Nhyiraba also built a valuable network of mentors, industry experts, and fellow researchers. Their memorable highlights included participating in an IGCS workshop on treatment options, where discussions with industry leaders inspired new approaches to sustainable practices.

You can read their full experience report here:
https://www.igcs-chennai.org/igcs-alumni-experience-nhyiraba/

11/11/2024

IGCS would like to take this moment to celebrate a research publication earlier this year in collaboration between Kiel University and Indian Institute of Technology, Madras on the focus area of Sustainable Water Management. The journal article titled "Enhancing hydrologic modelling through the representation of traditional rainwater harvesting systems: A case study of water tanks in South India" was first published on 04. February 2024, was co-authored by IGCS Area Coordinator Prof. Dr. Nicola Fohrer from Department of Hydrology and Water Resources Management, Kiel University, along with IGCS alumni Dr. Nariman Mahmoodi in collaboration PD Dr. Paul Wagner, Chaogui Lei, and Dr. Balaji Narasimhan.

This study, published in Hydrological Processes, investigates the integration of traditional South Indian rainwater harvesting systems—specifically water tanks—into modern hydrological modeling. Focusing on the basin in , the research leverages remote sensing data to accurately capture seasonal water storage variations, essential for improving the Soil and Water Assessment Tool ( +). These water tanks, which significantly impact streamflow, were underrepresented in past models, limiting the accuracy of water balance assessments in the region.

By calibrating the SWAT+ model with remote sensing-derived data from 2016-2020, the study demonstrates an enhanced ability to simulate streamflow in monsoon and dry periods, improving model predictions and resource management decisions. The research underscores the potential for integrating traditional water systems into contemporary models, contributing to sustainable water management practices in data-scarce regions and aiding in climate resilience planning. Demonstrating the potential of traditional water management practices to inform modern hydrological models helps improve water management strategies amidst increasing climate vulnerability. Improving resilience is a significant focus for IGCS and the outcomes of our research activities.

You can read more about this research here:
https://lnkd.in/daqQS_D5

07/11/2024

IGCS serves as a platform for research and academic exchange for Masters students, Doctoral candidates, and Scientists. Since its inception in 2010, we have been facilitating exchange of more than 1000 scholars from German and Indian academic institutions who are dedicated in contributing towards climate science.

The Experience Report Series celebrates our alumni and their success under IGCS. Today we share the experience report of Namitha D'souza who had their exchange period between 28. January 2024 until 28. July 2024 at Walter Schottky Instiute, Technical University of Munich, under Prof. Ian Sharp. Their home institution is the Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and their home supervisor is Prof. Jatin K Rath.

Namitha believes this exchange was a unique chance to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge ALD techniques, deepening her expertise in solar cell technology.

Beyond the lab, this experience broadened her horizons on multiple levels. Living independently in allowed her to fully embrace the local culture, from exploring the Bavarian Alps to enjoying Germany’s food and festival traditions. Namitha shares that the time abroad not only expanded her research capabilities but also shaped her personal and professional growth, equipping her with both technical skills and a global perspective on sustainability research.

You can read more here:
https://www.igcs-chennai.org/igcs-alumni-experience-namitha/

06/11/2024

IGCS collaborated with the Goethe-Institut e.V. to host a series of sustainability workshops at IIT Madras from November 4th to 6th! These workshops aim to deepen participants' understanding of key sustainability issues and foster collaborative discussions on innovative solutions aligned with the . This partnership highlights the shared commitment of both institutions to promoting sustainable development through education, research, and international cooperation.

The workshops will focus on:

Nov 4: Energy by Dr. Khulud Alsouleman from Technische Universität Berlin& Water by Mr. Lukas Paul Loose from Kiel University

Nov 5: Human-Nature Relationships by Dr. Christoph Woiwode & Waste Management by Dr. Mozhiarasi Velusamy from Leibniz Universität Hannover

Nov 6: Circular Economy by Dr.-Ing. Mohammad Chehadé from RWTH Aachen University

These workshops engaged 100-150 students of age groups 13-15 on the pressing topics of sustainability challenges, with sessions lasting 3 hours each. The sessions gave the students opportunities to visit the campus and the labs along with integration of German language elements, with 25 minutes dedicated to vocabulary.

31/10/2024

The IGCS Team wishes everyone a Happy Festival of Lights!

30/10/2024

The IGCS actively contributes to the exchange of knowledge by facilitating collaboration between students and researchers, aiming to generate innovative solutions for sustainability. It is a research hub dedicated to addressing pressing sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. Research is one of the core pillars of IGCS and is reflected in a wide array of our activities and events. The centre’s research involves collaborations with various esteemed institutions across Germany and India.

Today, we are excited to present a research brief from our alumni, offering insights into the key areas where our efforts are focused. Dr. Smriti Saraswat was our exchange student who had their exchange period between 08. July 2024 until 08. August 2024 at the Department of Architectural Theory, RWTH Aachen University, under Prof. Axel Sowa. Their home institution is the department of Architecture and Planning at Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, and their home supervisor was IGCS' Research Associate Dr. Christoph Woiwode. Their research was on the topic of 'Higher Education Collaborations for Developing Framework for Vibrant Villages and Sustainable Communities in the Himalayan and Alpen Regions.'

You can read their full scholarship report here:
https://www.igcs-chennai.org/research-brief-dr-saraswats-research-on-education-for-sustainability/

Dr. Saraswat's research, focuses on creating a collaborative framework for sustainable communities in the mountainous Himalayan and Alpen regions. The study addresses the challenge of urbanization by promoting rural revitalization through partnerships, specifically under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-11 (sustainable communities) and SDG-17 (global partnerships). By fostering international collaboration among stakeholders in India, Germany, Nepal, and Bhutan, Smriti’s concept paper proposes strategies to harness local knowledge and resilience practices in these regions, thereby building frameworks for “vibrant villages” and sustainable, self-reliant communities.

29/10/2024

IGCS serves as a platform for research and academic exchange for Masters students, Doctoral candidates, and Scientists. Since its inception in 2010, we have been facilitating exchange of more than 1000 scholars from German and Indian academic institutions who are dedicated in contributing towards climate science.

The Experience Report Series celebrates our alumni and their success under IGCS. Today we share the experience report of Dr. Smriti Saraswat who had their exchange period between 08. July 2024 until 08. August 2024 at RWTH Aachen University under Prof. Axel Sowa. Their home institution is the Department of Architecture and Planning, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India and their home supervisor is IGCS' Research Associate Dr. Christoph Woiwode.

Smriti's work focuses on on citizen engagement in various initiatives, including and Vibrant Village Development, rejuvenation, and sustainable tourism in . Their research exchange with the IGCS included developing a concept note on higher education collaborations for such vibrant villages and sustainable communities in the and regions. There, Smriti engaged with various professors and teams at RWTH Aachen, leading to initiatives and proposals for upcoming projects aligned with her concept.

Smriti highlights the value of cultural exchanges and interdisciplinary discussions, particularly enjoying her interactions during the IGCS Summer School, including a memorable lecture on circular economy in Mumbai. She aims to leverage the connections made during her exchange to foster interdisciplinary projects and enhance sustainable development initiatives in the , sharing insights with her academic and professional networks.

You can read their full experience report here:
https://lnkd.in/dCeXun3i

Adresse

Aachen

Öffnungszeiten

Montag	09:00 - 17:00
Dienstag	09:00 - 17:00
Mittwoch	09:00 - 17:00
Donnerstag	09:00 - 17:00
Freitag	09:00 - 17:00

Telefon

+492418090676

Webseite

http://www.igcs-chennai.org/

Benachrichtigungen

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