Anant National University launches fellowship for climate action

NEW DELHI: Architecture and design school Anant National University has launched a fellowship for climate action. The university, started by billionaire Ajay Piramal and Pramath Sinha, will offer the fellowship to 20 fellows this year.

“It shifts the focus from the unprecedented level of climate anxiety we see around us today to offering individuals ways to be part of the solution to mitigate climate change,” said Miniya Chatterji, CEO of Sustain Labs Paris, a company that helps companies become sustainable, who is also leading the program.

She also said that 75% of the fellowship classes will be held at locations where solutions for climate change are being implemented, and at locations that are hard hit by climate change.

The program is open to people of all ages and educational backgrounds. There is also a special category for advanced professionals.

“Our endeavour is to include as many people who wish to be part of the solution to climate change. The Fellowship for Climate Action is designed such that those who can dedicate a year of their life, whether they are working advanced professionals, entrepreneurs, or young climate activists, can all benefit from it,” says Anunaya Chaubey, Provost of Anant National University.

The first deadline for application is January 31, and the cohort will be announced in July.

The curriculum of the fellowship will feed into an online platform for climate change education. Anyone in the world can register as a student and learn remotely as well as collaborate with the community of fellows and mentors to be part of the solutions for climate change.

The fellows will be mentored by industry leaders including Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council for Energy, Environment, Water, India; Chetan Maini, CEO, Sun Mobility; Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and Manish Kharbanda, Advisor, Jindal Steel & Power, India.

By the end of the fellowship, it is expected that fellows will take on leadership roles in the domains of the most effective solutions to climate change.