Pune, Nov 5 (IANS) A SmartCampusCloudNetwork (SCCN) network, a skill-building initiative to enable the youth prepare for the Smart Cities of the future while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through 'learning by doing' exercises in their respective education campuses was launched here on Saturday
Launched by the TERRE Policy Centre in association with Ecolibrium Energy and located at the Symbiosis Institute of International Business, the SCCN leverages the power of Internet of Things (IOT) and Big Data Analytics.
It would not only help campuses become more sustainable by increasing energy, water, transport, waste management efficiencies of up to 30 per cent, but also create a virtual collaborative network of campuses to trigger innovations and start-ups, a joint statement by the two initiators said.
"The Network is poised to facilitate dialogue and sharing of ideas amongst students and faculty as a way of making the maximum out of SDGs," said University Grants Commission (UGC) Secretary J.S. Sandhu.
"Needless to say, this will be a significant contribution to the realisation of Smart Cities and Smart India mission unveiled by the Prime Minister," he added.
Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB) campus is now part of Smartsense IOT platform, a cloud developed and hosted by Ecolibrium Energy. It stands to benefit from the real time monitoring data of its energy consumption with capability of advanced analytics. IOT platform would also provide students of SIIB with an opportunity to work with real and practical data for developing smart city applications and business models, the statement said.
SIIB and other universities that will be registered with SCCN would also have access to the discussion forum through the SCCN website www.sccnhub.com for knowledge sharing and skill building for smart city applications.
"On the occasion of the Paris climate change agreement coming into force, launch of SCCN provides the much needed tool for contributing to India's target for emission reduction through enhanced energy efficiency and achieving global objective of limiting temperature rise to 2 deg C," said Rajendra Shende, Chairman of TERRE Policy Centre and former Director of UNEP.
Punjab Agricultural University of Ludhiana, Periyar University of Thanjavur, and a college of Anna University of Coimbatore have also registered their campuses for SCCN. Additionally, about 20 educational campuses across India are actively engaged in registration process.
"At Ecolibrium, we believe that IOT and Big Data Analytics would not only help campuses become more sustainable but also create a virtual collaborative network of campuses which bring students, corporate and government together to develop local solutions for smart cities," said Harit Soni, Director of Ecolibrium.
"This is in line with the 'Make in India' and 'Skill India' programmes of the Indian government," he added.
To become part of the SCCN, universities and the colleges can log in to www.sccnhub.com and register.
