As a key player in the EU-funded KODECET project, the Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) in Greater Noida is spearheading a pioneering effort to promote circular economy ideas across South Asia. The project, ‘Knowledge Development for Circular Economy Transition (KODECET),’ is a collaborative endeavour that brings together distinguished faculty members from six partner institutions: University of Jyväskylä (Finland), FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH (Austria), BIMTECH (India), NIRMA University (India), Prince of Songkla University (Thailand), and Payap University (Thailand).
Dr. Bhavesh Sarna from the University of Jyväskylä leads this international project, with Dr. Veenu Sharma from BIMTECH serving as the National Lead from India. Notable BIMTECH faculty members participating in the project include Dr. K. K. Upadhyay, Dr. Prateek Jain, Dr. Anupama Singh, and Svadha Rai.
The initiative, launched in January 2024, aims to establish four Digi-SUSTEACH centres to enhance the instructional capacity of university faculty, students, and early-stage professionals in a Sustainable and Circular Economy (SACE). These centres will function as digital hubs for teaching and research, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to provide world-class training and develop comprehensive SACE courses with diverse learning materials.
The effort, initiated under the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) leadership, aims to integrate SACE ideas into higher education institutions’ core curriculum. The inaugural Kick-Off meeting on January 22, 2024, at Payap University in Thailand marked the beginning of this collaborative effort among partner universities across Finland, Austria, India, and Thailand. It also aims to develop a SACE-skilled workforce for a better business and environmental future.
Dr. Prabina Rajib, Director, BIMTECH, highlighted the bright prospects of the circular economy in India, emphasizing the project’s role in strengthening knowledge and learning about circular economy education through collaborative initiatives. Dr. Rajib believes these collective efforts will be instrumental in establishing a foundation for circular economy education in South Asia. The Digi-SUSTEACH centres will serve as digital hubs for teaching and research on the circular economy, equipped with state-of-the-art software and hardware to provide world-class training. The centres aim to develop comprehensive courses on the circular economy, including various learning materials to cater to different learning styles.
The €790,010.00 EU-funded KOD CET project signifies a significant step forward for India’s circular economy education and research. This 36-month collaboration among six partners from four countries fosters international collaboration and paves the way for innovation in the field. The Digi-SUSTEACH centres are key to achieving the project’s goals.
These digital hubs for circular economy teaching and research will be equipped with cutting-edge technology to provide world-class training. They will house comprehensive circular economy courses featuring diverse learning materials to cater to various learning styles. Dr. Veenu Sharma, the project’s National Lead from India, is enthusiastic. She calls the initiative “a significant leap towards sustainable development and circular economy education, fostered innovation and collaboration across borders.”
To achieve its ambition, the project will train 20 faculty members to educate 120 students on circular economy principles. Additionally, a social media hackathon will engage students and raise awareness.
The KODECET project, focusing on education and collaboration, is building a robust educational framework for circular economy principles. By empowering educators and students with advanced tools and resources, the project aims to drive sustainable transformation across South Asia and beyond.
