Hyderabad, 17 October 2024: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has won the prestigious International Green Gown Award 2024 under the Benefitting Society category for its transformative Live-in-LabsⓇ initiative. This recognition highlights the university’s multidisciplinary approach to experiential learning, addressing the challenges faced by rural communities and promoting sustainability. The award further cements Amrita’s leadership in environmental stewardship and social impact.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham also received accolades in three other categories:
- Highly Commended in Creating Impact for the My Village, Our Water initiative. For more details: https://www.greengownawards.org/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-india1
- Finalist in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Sustainability for its E4Life PhD in Sustainable Development project. For more details: https://www.greengownawards.org/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-india2
- Finalist in Nature Positive for Nurturing Nature (Amma’s Sustainability Initiatives). For more details: https://www.greengownawards.org/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-india3
With 95 finalists from 28 countries across 8 categories, the Green Gown Awards have become the most prestigious recognition of best practice in the further and higher education sector. This year’s awards spotlight universities and their efforts towards sustainability and global change.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is ranked 81st globally by the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024, reflecting its commitment to impactful education and research. The university operates across nine campuses in five states. Amrita’s Chancellor, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), launched Live-in-LabsⓇ in 2013. This initiative bridges the gap between academic learning and practical community engagement, enabling students to immerse themselves in rural life and tackle real-world problems. Through collaboration with local governments, communities, and subject matter experts, Live-in-LabsⓇ offers scalable, affordable solutions that drive sustainable development.
Dr. Maneesha V Ramesh, Provost and Dean, Amrita School for Sustainable Futures, said, “We are immensely proud to receive the International Green Gown Award 2024 in the Benefitting Society Category, along with recognition in three additional categories. The Live-in-LabsⓇ initiative exemplifies our dedication to sustainable development through experiential learning. By empowering students to engage with rural communities, we address pressing challenges and cultivate a commitment to building resilient communities. This recognition reinforces our belief in education’s transformative power to create lasting societal change.”
Judges praised Live-in-LabsⓇ for its deep community involvement: “It’s not just about finding solutions but truly understanding the community’s perspective. This is a win-win for both students and the communities they serve.”
One such project, in the remote village of Guptapada, Odisha, tackled challenges related to water access, sanitation, and health risks due to unsustainable cooking practices. The initiative involved the development of modular water filtration systems, smokeless cookstoves, and skill-training centers, illustrating the profound impact of collaborative and sustainable solutions.
Founded in 2004, the International Green Gown Awards recognize the outstanding sustainability initiatives in higher education. Endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and supported by organizations like the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), the awards celebrate universities leading the charge for sustainable development globally.
