Report by India Education bureau, Bangalore: Wipro today announced the winners of earthian 2012, the second edition of its sustainability engagement program. The program intends to create spaces for sustainability learning and action within the education process in schools and colleges.

 

earthian, Wipro’s landmark sustainability program for educational institutions is designed in two phases. In the first phase,participants are required to submit their entries in the form of essays, narratives and scripts on various scenarios related to sustainability. Participants are encouraged to identify a socio-environmental scenario relevant in their context, explore multiple layers, unravel the interrelatedness, do a critical analysis and suggest possible approaches in their entry.

 

In its second edition, the earthian programreceived over 2000 registrations and 900 submissions from across the globe. The winners were selected on the basis of their comprehensive understanding of issues, exploring various nuances of complexity and providing clear arguments for grounded approaches.

 

The winning institutions were awarded a trophy and cash prizes. The awards were distributed by Mr. Azim Premji, Chairman, Wipro Ltd as part of a day long event at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru that saw a rich agenda of expert talks, theater as education and a musical performance.

 

Speaking on the initiative,Mr Anurag Behar, Chief Sustainability Officer of  Wipro Ltd,said, “We started this program with the vision of trying to bring together sustainability and education in ways that try to creatively blend critical thinking and practical actions in the students of today. The future generation will have a key role to play as change agents and leaders to address the challenges of sustainability - earthian is our effort in that direction”

 

The winning schools include Sishya School,Hosur; DPS International, Saket New Delhi; Sakar English School, Ahmedabad; Bhavans Adarsha Vidyalaya Kakkanad, Kochi; AECS Magnolia Maaruti Public School, Bangalore; Prakriya Green Wisdom School, Bangalore; K.K.English High School, Bangalore; Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Almatti.

 

The winning colleges include University of Houston USA; Institute Of Chemical Technology, Mumbai; Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Sriperumbudur; Indian Institute of Management, Shillong; Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai; Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; Sethu Institute of Technology, Madurai; TERI University New Delhi; Department Of Management University Of North Bengal, Darjeeling; Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon; Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode.

           

The selected institutions then become part of a three year continuous engagement program, a collaborative exercise that brings the institute and sustainability partners together to create unique learning experiences and approaches for teachers and students. The experiences combine conceptual understanding with practical activities that can be used in the everyday learning process within the institute and their community. 

The winning institutions of the previous edition have participated in programs from  ATREE (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment), CSE (Center for Science and Environment), CFL (Center for Learning) and BLT (Bangalore Little Theater).