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IGNOU Launches Master of Arts in Sustainability Science (MASS) programme (Online mode)

The virtual launching ceremony was held on 24 November 2022 at 2:00 pm

 

New Delhi: IGNOU has launched the Master of Arts in Sustainability Science (MASS) programme (Online mode). The virtual launching ceremony was held on 24 November 2022 at 2:00 pm.

Mr. Anil Kumar Rai, Joint Secretary (Parliament and Coordination), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU launched the online Learning Management System portal of Master of Arts in Sustainability Science (MASS) in the presence of Dr. Angela Andrade (Chair, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem), Dr. Osamu Saito (Principal Policy Researcher, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, IGES, Japan), Dr. Madhav B. Karki, Climate Change and Environment Advisor to the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba of Nepal and Dr. Shalini Dhyani (Vice-Chair, Asia Region IUCN Commission on Ecosystem and Senior Scientist, CSIR-NEERI, NAGPUR, INDIA).

Prof. Shachi Shah, Director, School of Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Studies welcomed the eminent experts and all the participants in the launching ceremony. In her welcome message, Prof. Shachi highlighted the significance of the Master of Arts in Sustainability Science (MASS) and reiterated that MASS is IGNOU's unique initiative for capacity building and knowledge development in India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, mainstreaming Sustainable Development Goals Education under National Education Policy 2020 and internationalising our efforts in the field of sustainability science. The programme is on offer through online mode with multiple entry and exit options.

Dr. Y S C Khuman, Programme Coordinator gave a brief about the programme. The eligibility condition to enrol into this programme is graduation in any discipline.

Mr. Anil Kumar Rai, in his ceremonial address, appreciated IGNOU's initiative by offering this online programme, which is open to all age groups and from any educational stream, will help in a lifelong learning exercise where everyone should contribute to realising the goals of Agenda 2030. He said in the backdrop of our key initiatives especially the International Solar Alliance, PM’s LIFE campaign and Sendai framework, the Master of Arts in Sustainability Science is extremely pertinent at this point when India has recently taken the Chairmanship of G20 and taking lead in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. 

Dr. Osamu SAITO in his address shared the latest progress on the growth of Sustainability Science in the University network across the world through the UNU Institute for the advanced study of Sustainability and the importance of Sustainability Science Journals in bringing researchers in this emerging field in one platform. He said, "in Sustainability Science, the collaboration between Scientists and practitioners in society is highly important". 

Dr. Angela Andrade in her speech highlighted the role of the Commission of Ecosystem Management IUCN in bringing all the researchers in one platform from across the world and its mandate to provide expert guidance in promoting biodiversity conservation, holistic approach to ecosystem management and Sustainable Development. She said “Nature conservation and restoration have never been more relevant than now. 

Dr. Madhav B. Karki shared his words of gratitude to IGNOU as truly a peoples University providing quality education to all and special privilege to the students coming from SAARC countries. Congratulating the launching of the MASS programme, he said “the world is facing multiple crises and is looking for transformative multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary application approaches for which education, innovation and integrity are needed to the global communities". After 30 years of our commitment to apply the principles of sustainable development back in 1992, Agenda 21 and Paris agreement still we are struggling for achieving the Universal 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. 

Dr. Shalini Dhyani said that "the entire world is facing multiple crises, discussion on sustainability is very frequent at different platforms". India is eagerly and rapidly trying to contribute entirely to this agenda in a manner which is inclusive where everybody is included right from the marginalised group to the entire stakeholders' group. 

Prof. Nageswar Rao, Honourable Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU, in his presidential address, stated that Internationalisation is one of the core challenges of IGNOU and during the last 2 years, IGNOU is trying to extend its reach to more countries at a fast pace. Online education gives us an effective approach and is now also accepted by different stakeholders. Steadily, the number of online programmes and the number of students enrolled in online programmes is increasing. By launching MASS programme online, IGNOU is taking the right path in Sustainable Development education and enables India's commitment to Sustainable Development Goals. Online programmes strengthen IGNOU's learners-centric approach- admission at home, counselling at home, and examination centres nearer to the student's home.  

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