Dr RK Ranjan Singh launches IGNOU’s Online Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Science (PGDSS)

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 24: Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of External Affairs launched the Online Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Science (PGDSS) of the IGNOU through a virtual function today. The PG Diploma programme is launched by the School of Inter-Disciplinary and Trans-Disciplinary Studies (SOITS) of IGNOU. It is being offered through online mode.
The international virtual launch also had the esteemed presence of Prof Nageshwar Rao, VC of IGNOU, Prof VK Jain, VC of Tezpur University, Dr Eklabya Sharma, VC of  TERI School of Advanced Studies and Prof KP Singh, MJP Rohilkhand University and other key officials of IGNOU and the school.
Prof RP Das, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof Uma Kanjilal, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof Sumitra Kukreti, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Prof Satyakam, Pro-Vice Chancellor and other university officials were also present at the international launch.
Sharing details about the University, Prof Sunitra Kukreti, Pro VC said that sustainable development requires awareness to be created and this programme will help in this endeavour. She also gave a brief introduction of the Minister and the external subject matter experts.
Prof Shachi Shah, Director, SOITS gave a snapshot of the programme launched providing the introduction of the programme.
The Minister in his address referred to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and said that the launch of this programme augments the work needed to be done for achieving the milestones set for environmental restoration for future. He complimented IGNOU for launching this programme and said that the skills required for the environment sector will also generate employment and is in consonance with the New Education Policy.
The other luminaries spoke of the multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approach of the programme and the need to internationalize sustainability awareness and for that education is critical. They also advocated sustainability integrated decision making by the Government and ethical approach to stop finite resources' fast degradation. They also sought sharing of data knowledge for Sustainable development and Green Growth.
Prof Nageshwar Rao, VC IGNOU thanked the Minister for his words of wisdom and encouragement and said that to ensure environmental sustainability, one of the Millennium Development Goals, it is a small step by the University to build capacity in the area by way of providing higher education. He apprised that IGNOU has 18 online programmes developed by Center of Online Education in different disciplines with learner centric pedagogy approach.
The PGDSS programme mainly focuses on the genesis and principles of sustainable development, its tools, implementation and assessment strategies in a holistic way. The basics of natural resource management, ecological economics, global and local efforts for sustainable development through good governance, law and policy are integrated in an academic framework so that students are able to understand the tools and techniques in developing and implementing sustainable development projects. The programme also takes care of the priorities of India’s National Action Plan Against Climate Change, implementation gaps of policy and planning, and India’s commitment to sustainable development.
The programme caters to the needs of the students who are interested to continue their research in multidisciplinary fields. This programme shall equip the students as professional sustainability experts, project officers, Sustainability Analysts, etc. who can handle the cross cutting social issues to join National & International organization.