RAJKOT (India CSR): “Trans-disciplinary approach and collaborative action can help in realising Sustainable Development Goals” said Prof (Dr) Hiroshi Sameshima, President of Miyazaki University Japan while delivering Special-Address during Inaugural-Session of International Conference on Emerging Trends and Contemporary Practices (ICETCP 2022) on the theme ‘Realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the Current Scenario,” organized in hybrid mode by Atmiya University, Rajkot in association with Miyazaki University Japan, Lincoln University College Malaysia, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Keck Graduate University USA and Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP), Germany during 19-20 May 2022.
Adding further to the need for collaborative research and knowledge exchange on SDG related issues, Prof. Hiroshi stressed on focused interventions for sustainability. The theme of the conference is contributing in agenda of United Nations i.e. Transforming our world by 2030 – Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof (Dr) Walter Leal, chair of Climate change Management, Hamburg University Germany. He elaborated how any university can adopt sustainable practices in their day-to-day life. Prof. Leal also stressed that being an organization, every university or institution has a responsibility of adopting the sustainability practices at the campus/ Pro – Chancellor of Atmiya University Prof (Dr) Sheela Ramachandran explained in the Presidential address the importance and need of application of SDGs in today’s world and how young researcher can contribute towards SDGs with the help of higher education system. Prof. Ramachandran stressed that a change of mind-set is essential for realizing the SDGs.
Guest of Honour Ms. Anna LekVall, Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai highlighted the international experiences in sustainability. She elaborated about how Swedish higher educational institutions as well as the Government, are making efforts towards sustainability.
While welcoming and introducing the theme, Prof (Dr) Shiv K. Tripathi, Vice Chancellors of Atmiya university highlighted the changing global development paradigm during the post-pandemic scenario. The conference was inaugurated with the prayer and lighting of the lamp. Dr. Jayen K. Thaker was the comparer for the session.
The ICETCP 2022, which is a unique multi-disciplinary knowledge initiative of Atmiya University under the spiritual leadership its’ mentor and President PP Tyagvallabh Swamiji. The conference, which was organized in 13 technical sessions as well as Inaugural and Valedictory sessions, aimed to explore pathways to address current and emerging sustainability challenges. The four tracks of the conference focused on Sustainable Wellness, Sustainable Business, Indigenous Knowledge System and Sustainable Technology. 15 Experts from 10 countries, including Japan, Sweden, Germany, UK, Qatar, Malaysia, UAE and Nepal. The head of Editorial review board Dr Sheetal Tank mentioned how a team of 28 reviewers worked hard to review each paper critically. Total 117 papers were selected for presentation.
The eminent experts and scholars from different countries participated as Keynote-Speaker and Session-Chair in the conference. The experts included Prof. (Dr.) Abhijeet Ghosh, Lincoln University College, Malaysia; Prof. (Dr.). Shailendra Singh, IIM, Lucknow; Prof. (Dr.) Wolfgang C. Amann, HEC Paris, Doha, Qatar; Prof. (Dr.) Pramila Thapa Purbanchal University, Nepal; Prof. (Dr.) Ved Vyas Dwivedi, Indus University, India; Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Poddar, Dr. Premila Thapa, Nepal University, Nepal; Dr. Ritika Sinha, Bengaluru Central University, India; and Dr. Chirag Barasara, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, India; and Prof. Harish Madhyastha, Miyazaki University, Japan.
The Guest of Honour of the Valedictory Session, Prof. (Dr.) Bhola Thapa, Vice-Chancellor, Kathmandu University, Nepal in his Special-Address elaborated the need for cooperation and partnerships in promoting the SDG knowledge exchange globally. He mentioned about the different initiatives of Kathmandu University towards knowledge creation and dissemination in the area of sustainability.
Mr. Pooran Chandra Pandey, Former Executive Director, Global Compact Network India and Member of the Board, UN Food Programme Trust India, in the valedictory address, elaborated on the different dimensions of sustainability and linked it the developments in the global geo-political space. Mr. Pandey stressed on collective action in long-term view of sustainability.
Prof. (Dr.) Shiv K. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, Atmiya University in the presidential address stressed on the need for holistic solutions to sustainability problems, which move beyond silos in treating sustainability.
Secretary of Sarvoday Kelvani Samaj, Dr Samir K Vaidya appreciated the scholarly efforts of all the organising teams and for sustainability and felt the need for more such interventions in future.
Registrar Dr Divyang D Vyas; Dy Registrar Dr Ashish M Kothari; Dr G D Acharya, Dr Vishal Khasgiwala; Dr H M Tank; Dr Manhar S Kagathara; Dr Viral Karia; Dr Jayen Thaker; and Dr Vishal Vora were among other prominent participants and organizing team members.
(India CSR)
