Bengaluru: In a first among state-owned universities in the State, Bangalore University has introduced post-graduate courses in solid waste management from the academic year 2019 -20. The move gains significance as the city’s civic body BBMP has been grappling with mounting garbage crisis.
Vice-Chancellor K.R. Venugopal told this newspaper that this course is being introduced to train the students on all aspects of solid waste management, besides come out with solutions to put an end to this civic problem.
He felt there will be a lot of job opportunities for students as many urban civic bodies are finding it difficult to find people with expertise to deal with this problem.
The subject will also throw light on various aspects of solid waste management when urban India is facing massive challenge on this issue due to rapid urbanization.
“Urban India produces millions of trucks of municipal solid waste in forms of mixed waste, dry wet, plastic, animal and e-waste every year.
Majority of the waste dumped in landfills and dumpsites cause pollution and pose threat to environment, due to absence of scientific disposal mechanism and recycling measures. The course will also focus on waste management towards source segregation, recycle and reuse methods, harmful effects of industrial discharge which are the need of the hour for creation of healthy society,” he said.
Prof Venugopal further said that major objective of this study is to provide a better understanding of the key aspects of management of solid, plastic, biomedical, construction and demolition waste, e waste, technologies involved in their processing and treatment, legislative and stakeholders involved.
Students will be educated through classroom lectures, case studies, class exercises, discussion and field visits, apart from sensitizing them on status of waste management in India. They will also be educated by experts from pollution control board, civil society institutions and other technical areas.
Prof Venugopal said the will also offer masters degree courses such as MSc in film making, media studies, public relations, advertising, graphics and animation, disaster management and Forensic Science and Criminology.
Graduates in any discipline with above 50 per cent marks can apply for the course.
