IIT-Kanpur and AARDO Signs MoU to Address Issues of Climate Change

African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, is putting together a training course on cutting-edge renewable energy solutions for rural regions in order to address the issues of climate change. The training session, which started on 17 November 2022, will go up till November 24.

The course objective was to make participants aware of how engineering of renewable energies may be used as a weapon to counteract the effects of climate change. Through the initiative, this technological know-how is being spread throughout the African and Asian 32 member nations of AARDO. The medium and high-level executives from government agencies, ministries and agriculture engineers and scientists are involved in policy formation, implementation, planning and assessments that would be benefited from the training.

The training program was inaugurated on 17^th Nov at IIT Kanpur Auditorium. Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO was the Chief Guest. The other dignitaries present were Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director of IIT Kanpur, Prof. A. R. Harish, Dean of Research & Development, IIT Kanpur, Dr. Sanjeeb K Behera, Head of Information, Education and Communication Divisions, AARDO, Prof. B.V. Rathish Kumar, Head, CCE IIT Kanpur and Prof. J. Ramkumar, Coordinator, RuTAG IIT Kanpur.

The participants were welcomed by Prof. J. Ramkumar, who also described the steps taken by IIT Kanpur to create technologies that will harness renewable energy. He said that without having a negative impact on the environment, the Imagineering Lab has improved the quality of human life.

Dr. Sanjeeb K. Behera described the purpose of AARDO and how it relates to the modern world. To inspire individuals, AARDO has organised several training programmes of this nature. He said that the participants have the chance to increase their knowledge of current technological developments through this training program. And he expressed his gratitude to IIT Kanpur for planning this training program.

Students explained how to develop sustainable technologies that will incorporate the environment. Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director of IIT Kanpur, said this is important as the world is experiencing the effect of changes in climate. “With this in mind IIT Kanpur has established the Sustainable Energy Engineering centre. Our focus is empowering the rural areas around us through the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) established in our institute. A platform is given to rural innovations in this centre and we have also transferred technology to the African countries through AARDO. We have signed an MoU with AARDO for student exchange programs and high-end skilling.”

Addressing the inaugural session, Dr.  Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary-General, AARDO, said, " climate change is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. Its most severe impacts may still be avoided if efforts are made to transform current energy systems. The need for energy and its related services to satisfy human social and economic development, welfare and health is increasing.”

Further, Dr. Nardeosingh said, "Technology transfer is viewed as an engine of growth for rural development. The AARDO Secretariat has provided a very prominent place for rural technology dissemination and an ecosystem aiming at raising awareness with respect to importance and application of rural technologies. Integrating innovation and technology as game changers to gear up for climate-resilient smart agriculture, diversified livelihoods, sustainability and inclusive growth. AARDO has reengineered its platform and in its ten-year strategic framework 2021-2030.It has a prominent focus on the scope, speed and scale of transferring of available, accessible & affordable technologies and technology solutions to mitigate the challenges for adapting/transition from traditional source of energy to renewable energy among member countries. A compendium/basket of technologies has been compiled in the form of a dynamic database of innovative technologies captioned as “Affordable Technology Menu” (ATM), wherein available technologies for transfer as well as the innovative technology are parked. A few samples of selected technologies from the ATM are being handed over to four member countries."

In the end, he concluded by stating, "I am very much sure that during this training program, the presentation of the renowned resource persons, country delegates, and the deliberation on the subject will contribute positively in arriving valuable recommendations.”

About AARDO

AARDO (African-Asian Rural Development Organization), an autonomous intergovernmental organization with a rural focus, adheres to South-South and triangular cooperation principles. A noble organization that has been working for more than 60 years to promote collaboration for sustainable agriculture and rural development. It is also a sign of the unity between the peoples of Africa and Asia. Governments' unwavering commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth is strengthened and supplemented by AARDO.

The organization is both an intergovernmental institution and a policy advocacy group, with a total of 33 members, 18 of whom are from Africa and 15 from Asia. Additionally, it provides a forum for members to share their knowledge, best practices, relevant technology, information, and other rural cultures and traditions in order to spread effective methods and enhance members' standard of living.