– It is a great opportunity for USN to partner up with universities in a very interesting region, share our knowledge as well as gain experience from other institutions working with green economy. After the first kick off meeting in Mumbai we have a really good feeling about this project.
So says Anne Gry Sturød, project coordinator and contact person for the new Erasmus+ Capacity Building project “Enhancing Green Economy in 3 Asian Countries (EGEA)”.
10 million budget
Last year USN was invited to take part in writing the application of the three year project, with a budget of almost 10 million NOK. With a consortium consisting of both universities and businesses in Germany, India, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Cyprus, Latvia and Poland, the application received top ratings by the EU. The aim of the project is cooperation in developing course modules focusing on green economy with target institutions located in India, Nepal and Kyrgyzstan. The project is coordinated by Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany.
The project officially started 18th of February following a three-day kick off meeting between all partners, hosted by one of the partners Tata Institute of Social Science in the Indian metropole Mumbai. Anne Gry Sturød, USN project coordinator and Aud Stokland, who is in charge of the financial part of the project, both participated. As part of the visit, they were also invited to the Royal Norwegian General Consulate of Mumbai who strongly welcomes Norwegian universities cooperation with Indian partners. Consul Tor A. Dahlstrøm encouraged further cooperation and student mobility between India and Norway.
Green business and environment
USN has been invited to contribute to the course module concerning green business and environment. Green economy and green skills as well as other aspects of sustainable development are of global importance. The introduction of green economy concepts in law, business, economics, environmental studies or management programs should support economic development adopting curricula to changes in labour market and to an increasing demand for new “green” skills. The project specific objectives is to foster green skills in different target groups (students, teachers, professionals, young generations) and for different subject areas.
–We strongly believe USN has a lot to offer to this project, and we also welcome the opportunity to cooperate and learn from the other partners in this ambitious and important project, says Sturød.
