Amity Hosts Faculty Programme on Smart Waste Management

Amity University, Uttar Pradesh Noida campus organised a Five-Day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on “Smart Technologies for Efficient and Sustainable Waste Management System: Advancing Environmental Solutions in Policy and Practice" from June 3 - 7, 2024. A total of 32 participants from various institutions such as Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya Haridwar, Andhra Pradesh University and various Amity Universities, participated in the Programme.

The main objectives of this FDP were to enhance the understanding of current challenges and opportunities in waste management, to familiarise participants with the latest smart technologies and innovations in waste management including IoT, AI, and blockchain and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration amongst the faculty and research scholars.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Kumar Gupta, Head of Division, International & National Cooperation, Advisory Services, Professor of Public Policy, Planning & Strategic Management, National Institute of Disaster Management, averred, “Waste Management is directly related to agriculture and its consequences can be seen largely on agriculture. Therefore, the need of the hour is to create a monitoring system which can monitor the waste and can also devise effective ways and means for its safe disposal. In addition, it is extremely crucial to reduce the energy consumption required to minimise the waste. Technological intervention, a blended approach of modern technology and nature-based solutions and mass awareness, are essential to combat the challenges of waste management. The young generation must take the lead and find innovative solutions since the future belongs to them.”

Paromita Dey, Head (Resources and Waste) and Program Lead, National Institute of Urban Affairs, New Delhi, opined, “Minimising environmental waste and adopting sustainable practices is imperative to safeguard the environment. Internet of Things (IoT), AI and Data Analytics are some of the technologies which can be used in effective management of waste. Also, getting adequate funding for making smart cities is crucial and corporations must come forward and contribute towards the same.”

Addressing the gathering, Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh (AUUP), stated, “Waste Management is the biggest problem today across the globe which is impacting the environment adversely. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to find innovative solutions to the problem of Waste Management. Community Engagement Programmes help immensely in creating awareness at grass-root level. India can only become a developed nation by 2047 if all the citizens follow sustainable practices in their daily lives. Imbibing a strong value system in the students to care for the environment, society and nation is important so we can create a sustainable future.”

Highlighting the significance of the Programme, D. K. Bandyopadhyay, Mentor, Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences, said, “The programme will enable the faculty members and research scholars to integrate sustainable waste management practices and technologies into their curriculum and research and will be helpful in bridging the gap between industry, academia and government stakeholders. Effective Waste Management will reduce the adverse effects of waste on human health, environment and planetary resources and turning waste into energy, IoT-enabled practices, improvement in monitoring systems, data collection and technological advancement will certainly help in effective waste management.” The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. Renu Dhupper, Assistant Director, Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences and the Inaugural Session concluded with the felicitation of guests.

During the five-day Faculty Development Programme, Plenary Session on topics such as “Understanding Waste Management Challenges and Opportunities”, “Smart Technologies in Waste Collection and Segregation”, “Recycling and Resource Recovery, Policy, Regulations, and Community Engagement”, amongst others will also be conducted.