New Delhi: Tata Trusts in association with University of California, Los Angeles, is hosting a two day Global Forum entitled "Innovating for a sustainable Energy Future" that aimed at bringing together leading UCLA energy environmental scholars with Indian business and government leaders for a discussion on sustainable energy sources. The forum addressed issues and challenges on making megacities sustainable, integration of solar power into smart energy grids and the production of sustainable biological fuels. The all-day conference was held at Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi.
Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, said, "India needs to achieve the right balance between economic growth and energy autonomy, while ensuring sustainability. We have the task of not only preserving but nurturing our environment to make this planet a better place to live. This can only be achieved if we collaborate and innovate to develop means that help us achieve our long-term goals.''
Chancellor Gene Block of UCLA stated "It is an honor to collaborate with the Tata Trusts, on the UCLA-Tata Global Forum in New Delhi. As India's economic development continues apace, the need for sustainable energy has become more urgent. UCLA's research on the environment, energy and sustainability — showcased in our ongoing Sustainable LA Grand Challenge — is relevant to megacities worldwide. It is our hope that this event will forge mutually beneficial links between India and UCLA to promote innovative sustainable energy solutions and policies."
The Forum will witness the participation of key note speaker Dr. Gururaj Deshpande, President and Chairman, Sparta Group LLC, and Chairman, Tejas Networks on Day 1 and Smriti Irani, Minister of Human Resource Development on Day 2 along with thought leaders from UCLA and India.
"UCLA Global Forum gives UCLA leaders and scholars the opportunity to interact with thought leaders in other countries to share information and perspectives on the great challenges of our time," said Vice Provost, Ms. Cindy Fan. "Global education in our day and age by definition includes not only study in the classroom, but also tackling global problems. With Mr. Ratan Tata as our cosponsor, we are signaling the importance that UCLA places on connecting education to its application in the world."
The UCLA Global Forum, was first launched in Asia and Europe earlier in 2015 to build on UCLA's global mission by addressing issues of global and local relevance. The New Delhi Global Forum is the inaugural UCLA-Tata Global Forum, which is jointly initiated by Chancellor Block and Mr. Tata to bring together the world's most creative thinkers to address major societal problems and offer socially responsible solutions that impact policy.
Tata Trusts are amongst India's oldest, non-sectarian philanthropic organisations that work in several areas of community development. Tata Trusts seek to be catalysts in development through giving grants to institutions and executing large projects in the areas of Natural Resources Management, Rural Livelihoods, Urban Livelihoods & Poverty, Education, Enhancing Civil Society and Governance, Health and Arts and Culture. Trusts engage competent persons and government bodies, international agencies and like-minded private sector organizations to nurture a self-sustaining eco-system that collectively works across all these areas.
UCLA is known worldwide for the breadth and quality of its academic, research, health care, cultural, continuing education and athletic programs. UCLA's strength is its size, allowing for exceptional diversity and virtually limitless possibility. The university is a shared public asset that benefits society by educating students, creating knowledge through research discoveries, powering the economy and improving quality of life.