International Workshop on Technologies for Sustainable Development; 5-8th June 2023

The workshop brings experts and scholars from India, Japan, and US together to present their research expertise and share their knowledge in the field of energy, materials, wastewater engineering and buildings. The goal is to identify challenges to the development, possible solutions to help put in place the essential technologies to tackle global issues of climate change and resource depletion. The workshop has activities to encourage active participation of students to enhance their learning from the experts. 

Workshop Flyer & Program Schedule

Highlights 
More than thirty participants from academia and industry partner coutries India, Japan, and the USA together presented their research experience and findings of projects in sustainable technologies. The presentations discussed opportunities and challenges to develop and implement sustainable solutions in the field of waste and waste water management, green energy, energy efficient and zero carbon buildings.  Researchers took part in brain stroming sessions to indentify technolgical soultions to tackle global issues of climate change and resource depletion and developed portfolio of student projects.  

Opening of the workshop on 5th June also marked the International Environment Day and the Indian ambassador in Norway, Dr B Bala Bhaskar who is a civil enginee and has a PhD in economics,  inaugurated the workshop. His visit to Narvik was facilitated Dr Harpal Singh.   In his inaugural speech Dr Bhaskar  pointed out that climate change occurring in the Arctic has its immediate impact on the climate in Himalays, India and in this regard he considers  India and the Arctic as neighbors. India has a research station and observatory in Svalbard and has keen interest to the happenings, climate change in the arctic region. He emphasized the importance of research collaboration between India and Norway.  The ambassador touched on India's sharp increase in future energy needs, and for sustainable and affordable energy solutions collaboration in research and higher education between the two countries can play a vital role.  Dean Bjørn Reidar Sørensen also emphasised  that collaboration between the IVT faculty and Indian educational institutions can be strengthened. 

The local business community, where representatives from TECO2030, Nordkraft, Aker Horizons, LKAB and Narvik municipality participated in the meeting with the Ambassador and meet with the professors at the workshop to discuss strategic partnership and the development of industry-specific skills.