Pune: MKSSS’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture for Women (BNCA), Pune, has entered into a formal agreement with IIT Bombay to advance their joint efforts under the "Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration" (SPARC), an initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlines a comprehensive two-year research program titled "Capacity Building in Built Environment Sustainability Research (CAPABLE)."
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by key project leaders, including Dr. Upendra Bhandarkar, Associate Dean (R&D) at IIT Bombay, Dr. Bakul Rao, the project’s Principal Investigator from India, and Professor at IIT Bombay’s Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA), along with Co-Investigator Dr. Vaishali Angal and team member Dr. Amruta Garud from BNCA.
The CAPABLE project, set to run from April 2024 to March 2026, is aimed at building capacity in sustainable research in the built environment. It brings together academic partners IIT Bombay, Liverpool John Moores University (UK), and BNCA, with Pune Construction Engineering Research Foundation (PCERF) providing industry expertise. The initiative is supported through funding from the UKIERI and SPARC programs.
A cohort of 20 students—comprising undergraduate and postgraduate candidates from India and the UK—will be selected to participate in the program, which focuses on sustainability in the built environment.
These students will undergo a rigorous 8-month training program, which includes up to 2 months of in-person, hands-on experience at the partner institutions.
A pre-screening workshop for the students was held at BNCA on August 9, 2024, where possible research themes were introduced by the UK investigators, Dr. Anupa Manewa and Dr. Mohan Siriwardena.
Dr. Bakul Rao emphasized the role of the circular economy in fostering a sustainable environment, while Dr. Vaishali Anagal provided a detailed overview of the course structure and the project’s key milestones. Dr. Amruta Garud, who coordinated the event, also outlined the application process for the program.
The "Capable" project website was officially launched by BNCA’s Principal, Dr. Anurag Kashyap, and Vice-Principal, Dr. Sharvey Dhongde. This platform will serve as a key resource for participants and stakeholders throughout the project’s duration.
The CAPABLE project will culminate in a joint international dissemination conference, scheduled for 2025 at IIT Bombay. This event will provide an opportunity for the academic and industry partners to share their research outcomes and explore further avenues for collaboration in the area of sustainability within the built environment.