IIT Delhi has shared a long-lasting bond with UK’s Newcastle University. The cooperation between our two institutions has resulted in multiple new projects in areas like cybersecurity, transport and environment, antibiotic resistance, smart grids, and more.
In a bid to further their relationship, the two universities held a student-led virtual sustainability event on the 5th of March. It involved the participation of 6 students from each university, who worked together as a team and inculcated their different cultures /experiences to deliver presentations based on the differences as well as the similarities in sustainability challenges faced by both countries.
The students were involved in lengthy and lively discussions, as each of them strove to apply their contextual knowledge and understand each other’s opinions, ideas, and how the other country approached similar challenges. At the end of 50 minutes, students were invited to present their arguments and conclusions on the various questions they were addressing.
The presentations were graced by the presence of Newcastle University and IIT Delhi faculty/international office members such as Helen Adamson (Lecturer, School of Environmental and Natural Sciences), Lesley Jackson, Katie Lavender (International Office), Sri Harsha Khota (Assistant Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi), Richa Saxena (Alumni Affairs and International Programmes).
Professor Naveen Garg (Dean of Alumni Affairs and International Partnerships, IIT Delhi) and Professor Richard Davies (Newcastle University) were also present.
The students delivered well-thought-out and refreshing presentations that showcased not only their talent but also the great insights and teamwork between the students of the two universities.
The students discussed questions pertaining to air pollution, waste management and put special emphasis on rivers of each country as IIT Delhi students explored environmental challenges and projects being undertaken at the River Tyne while students of Newcastle University did the same for the sacred river the Yamuna.
As a token of thanks to the student groups, a small charitable donation was given to the sustainability-themed charities selected by the students. Students were also allowed to stay on after the event to meet and chat with their international peers.
All in all, we believe the event was a huge success and will look to facilitate similar discussions in the future catering to diverse topics and allowing students to interact and learn more about students studying similar fields but from different walks of life.