CII-IGBC, University of Mysore Sign Landmark Pact to Advance Green Education

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Mysore to advance green education and accelerate capacity building among students and faculty across Karnataka. The agreement marked a significant step toward institutionalizing sustainability-focused learning within higher education. The signing took place at the University of Mysore campus in Mysuru, reflecting the shared commitment of both institutions to foster an environmentally responsible future built on knowledge, innovation and industry-academia collaboration.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Lokanath N. K., Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Mysore, Mr. Vinod Maroli, Chairman, IGBC Mysuru Chapter, and Mr. Srihari D, Co-Chairman, IGBC Mysuru Chapter. The ceremony was attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including Smt. M. K. Savitha, K.A.S., Registrar, Prof. N. Nagaraja, Director & Registrar (Evaluation), Mr. K. Sriram, IGBC Executive Board Member & Fellow, Mr. Somashekhar, Past Chairman, IGBC, Prof. Shamsundar, Mr. Ramesh Kikkeri, and Mr. Adithya Sajjan from IGBC Secretariat. Their presence underscored the importance of this collaborative initiative in shaping a new generation of green building professionals.

Through this MoU, IGBC and the University of Mysore agreed to jointly introduce specialized courses on Green Built Environment across the University’s affiliated colleges. The collaboration aimed to equip students from civil, mechanical, electrical and architecture streams with contemporary knowledge, practical insights and industry exposure to help them become career-ready in the rapidly growing green building sector. IGBC has committed to developing high-quality course content, providing faculty training and facilitating accreditation, while the University took responsibility for integrating the course as an elective or core subject within its academic programmes. The initiative also included classroom sessions, online training modules, and expert-led engagements to strengthen students' technical understanding of green building concepts.

Mr. Vinod Maroli, Chairman, IGBC Mysuru Chapter while signing the Memorandum of Understanding, said, “The signing of this MoU marks a significant milestone in our collective effort to build a more sustainable future. By collaborating with the University of Mysore, we are integrating green building knowledge at the academic level and empowering students to become future-ready professionals in the green built environment. This partnership will not only strengthen capacity-building in the region but also inspire young minds to lead India’s sustainability movement with innovation, responsibility and purpose."

Prof. Lokanath N. K., Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Mysore, said, "This collaboration with IGBC is a meaningful step toward strengthening our commitment to sustainability-driven education. By introducing specialized learning on the green built environment, we are preparing our students to meet the emerging needs of industry and society. The University of Mysore has always championed knowledge that creates impact, and this partnership will enable our faculty and students to contribute actively to India’s sustainable development journey."

In addition to curriculum development, the MoU laid strong emphasis on experiential learning. Both institutions planned to organize joint programmes on sustainability, encourage participation in IGBC’s flagship events such as the Green Building Congress, Green Education Conclave, World Green Building Week, and various webinars and conferences. Students were also to be supported in pursuing the IGBC Accredited Professional – Associate certification, giving them a competitive edge in India’s expanding green building industry. Furthermore, the partnership sought to invigorate IGBC’s local chapter activities by providing students with meaningful opportunities to volunteer, network with industry leaders and gain first-hand exposure to sustainable design practices through site visits and expert sessions.

This collaboration strengthened IGBC’s ongoing mission to create a nationwide ecosystem of sustainability champions by integrating green concepts into mainstream education. With the University of Mysore being one of India’s oldest and most respected institutions, the partnership represented a major milestone in expanding IGBC’s footprint in academia. Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to nurturing skilled professionals who will play a critical role in driving India’s transition toward a sustainable built environment. The MoU symbolized a shared vision of enabling youth to lead with knowledge, responsibility and innovation in shaping a greener tomorrow.