Pondicherry University, India
National and International Events Organized
The ECO-GIS Lab has been at the forefront of organizing diverse academic and capacity-building programs to promote research, innovation, and knowledge exchange. Key initiatives include:
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Refresher Courses for faculty and researchers to update and strengthen subject expertise.
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Indian Biodiversity Congress, providing a national platform for discussions on biodiversity conservation and sustainable management.
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International Writeshop, facilitating collaborative research and high-quality scientific publications.
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International Summer School, offering students hands-on training, interdisciplinary exposure, and global learning opportunities.
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International Lecture Series, featuring leading scholars and experts from across the world.
Through these activities, the ECO-GIS Lab continues to build strong academic networks, enhance research capacity, and contribute to addressing pressing ecological and environmental challenges at both national and international levels.
Refresher Course -1
Refresher Course in Environmental Sciences
1–21 December 2016 | Organized at HRDC, Pondicherry University | Coordinated by Prof. S. Jayakumar
A three-week Refresher Course in Environmental Sciences was successfully conducted at HRDC, Pondicherry University from 1st to 21st December 2016, with the participation of 59 Assistant Professors from diverse institutions across India. The course was designed to provide updated knowledge and interdisciplinary perspectives on pressing environmental issues.
Key topics covered included remote sensing of the environment, climate change and mitigation strategies, environmental economics, ecological research trends, biodiversity conservation, and environmental biotechnology. Special sessions also focused on marine biodiversity, environmental forensics, e-waste, mining impacts, agro-residue recycling, vector-borne diseases, and neglected crops for food security.
Innovative modules such as climate modeling, behavioral ecology, bird-tree interactions, and bioprospecting of marine microbes enriched the academic content. The course also featured seminars, hands-on field visits, and an evaluation component, ensuring both conceptual and practical engagement.
The program provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, professional networking, and capacity building among early-career faculty in the field of Environmental Sciences.
Refresher Course -2
Refresher Course in Environmental Sciences and Geosciences
2–22 January 2018 | Organized at HRDC, Pondicherry University | Coordinated by Prof. S. Jayakumar
A comprehensive Refresher Course in Environmental Sciences and Geosciences was held from 2nd to 22nd January 2018 at the Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC), Pondicherry University. A total of 55 Assistant Professors from across India participated in this multidisciplinary program designed to enhance their academic knowledge and teaching competencies.
The course offered wide-ranging lectures and discussions on topics such as geomatics applications in environmental management, hydrogeology, environmental forensics, climate change scenarios and mitigation strategies, and the behavioral ecology of wildlife. Sessions also addressed marine biodiversity, phytoremediation, environmental ethics, and the conservation of endemic plant species.
Special emphasis was placed on environmental biotechnology, waste management—including strategies in Antarctica—bioprospecting of marine microbes, microalgae-based carbon sequestration, and the resource potential of neglected crops for food security. Innovative modules covered plant functional traits, bird-tree interactions, and publishing research in ecology.
Participants engaged in enriching interactions on environment and health, environmental archaeology, mining impacts and reclamation, environmental impact assessment (EIA), and the therapeutic potential of traditional medicinal plants.
The program included seminars, expert lectures, knowledge-sharing sessions, and field components, providing participants with an interdisciplinary and applied perspective on environmental and geoscience challenges.
Refresher Course -3
Refresher Course in Environmental Sciences
(Physics, Chemistry, Ecology, Earth Sciences, and Oceanography)
10–30 July 2018 | HRDC, Pondicherry University | Coordinated by Prof. S. Jayakumar
A multidisciplinary Refresher Course in Environmental Sciences was organized at the Human Resource Development Centre, Pondicherry University, from 10th to 30th July 2018. This intensive program brought together leading experts and faculty participants from across India to explore contemporary challenges and research frontiers spanning physics, chemistry, ecology, earth sciences, and oceanography.
The course covered a broad range of topics, including:
- Bio-resources conservation, blue carbon sequestration, and marine biodiversityEnvironmental biotechnology, toxicology, and environmental forensics
- Climate change impacts, stable isotope applications, and environmental archaeology
- Remote sensing, GIS applications, and sustainable groundwater management
- Electrochemical energy storage, light wave communication, and supramolecular chemistry
- Pollution abatement, E-waste management, and plastic pollution mitigation
- Environmental ethics, food security, and public health dimensions
Special lectures addressed subjects such as behavioral ecology of wildlife, human-wildlife conflicts, environmental impact assessment, and biomass energy for climate change mitigation. Eminent scientists and scholars from institutions including Pondicherry University, IIT Madras, the French Institute of Pondicherry, Annamalai University, Bharathidasan University, University of Madras, Madras School of Economics, CSIR-CLRI, MG University Kottayam, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change contributed their expertise.
The course included seminars, field-oriented discussions, and an examination, providing participants with valuable interdisciplinary insights, research perspectives, and practical tools to enrich their teaching and scholarly endeavors in environmental sciences.
Indian Biodiversity Congress
Indian Biodiversity Congress 2017
Pondicherry University, 10–12 March 2017 | Dr. S. Jayakumar, Organising Secretary, IBC 2017
The Indian Biodiversity Congress (IBC) 2017 was held from 10th to 12th March 2017 at Pondicherry University, jointly organized with the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), Thiruvananthapuram, and in association with the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Puducherry, Navdanya, and several other partner organizations.
Marking the fourth edition of this prestigious biennial event, IBC 2017 attracted more than 800 delegates from all Indian states and Union Territories, including notable international participants from France, Nepal, and Malaysia. For the first time, representatives from all Northeastern states of India were in attendance, highlighting the Congress’s growing inclusiveness and reach.
A total of 560 research papers covering 12 sub-themes were selected for presentation. These papers reflected the diversity and vibrancy of research and practice in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and ecological management across the country.
The focal theme, “Climate Change and Biodiversity,” framed discussions around critical challenges posed by climate change and the urgent need for adaptive strategies to protect India’s rich biological heritage.
The Congress featured plenary, keynote, and invited lectures by several eminent scientists, conservationists, and policy experts, including:
Dr. Vandana Shiva (Navdanya)
Dr. Ram Boojh (UNESCO)
Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati (Former Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority)
Prof. MK Prasad (Sastra Sahitya Parishad)
Dr. V.S. Vijayan (Former Director, SACON)
Prof. P.S. Roy (University of Hyderabad)
Dr. Joss Brooks (Pitchandikulam Bioresource Centre, Auroville)
and many other distinguished speakers from leading research institutions and universities.
In addition to technical sessions, the Congress organized a Civil Society Meet and a Children’s Conclave on Biodiversity, fostering broader societal engagement and creating awareness among younger generations.
Representatives from more than 40 prominent institutions, including the University of Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, Forest Research Institute Dehradun, Annamalai University, ICAR institutes, Wildlife Institute of India, and the National Law School of India University, contributed to the rich deliberations.
International Writeshop
International Writeshop
Pondicherry University, 31 Mar & 02 Apr 2022 | Prof. S. Jayakumar, Coordinator
The ECO-GIS Lab, Pondicherry University, hosted a Three-Day International Writeshop from 31st March to 2nd April 2022 as part of the URGENT Project (Urban Resilience and Adaptation for India and Mongolia). The event brought together academic and policy experts from India, Mongolia, and Europe to develop a collaborative research framework addressing the challenges of climate change and urban sustainability.
The writeshop featured keynote addresses, policy discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions focusing on urbanization impacts, green infrastructure, biodiversity loss, and sustainable planning. Distinguished partners included representatives from the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Università di Catania (Italy), NIUA (India), SKUAST (Kashmir), JNU (New Delhi), and Nirma University, among others.
Highlights included:
- Exchange on climate adaptation strategies and curriculum development.
- Field visits to Auroville and Pondicherry University campus.
- Stakeholder engagement with local governance, including the Secretary of Revenue, Govt. of Puducherry.
- Deliberations on collaborative research, student exchange, and co-supervision mechanisms.
This event strengthened international partnerships and laid the foundation for impactful urban resilience research through interdisciplinary collaboration.
International Lecture
30 November 2023 and 01 December 2023
Prof. Kalev Sepp,
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia
International Lecture
Pondicherry University, 30 Nov & 01 Dec 2023 | Prof. S. Jayakumar, Coordinator
The ECO-GIS Lab had the privilege of hosting an enlightening international lecture by Prof. Kalev Sepp, Professor at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia. Prof. Sepp is a distinguished expert in the field of environmental monitoring, land use planning, and remote sensing applications.
In this session titled "Application of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Environmental Monitoring in Estonia", Prof. Sepp shared insights into how advanced geospatial technologies are being employed in Estonia to address challenges in agriculture, forest monitoring, climate change, and biodiversity conservation.
🌾 Key Highlights:
- Use of Sentinel and Landsat satellite data for crop monitoring and land cover change detection
- Integration of remote sensing with precision agriculture tools
- Monitoring habitat changes and biodiversity patterns using time-series satellite imagery
- National-scale environmental monitoring programs in Estonia
- Policy and research integration in the Estonian context
Interaction and Engagement:
The lecture attracted enthusiastic participation from postgraduate students, research scholars, and faculty members. An engaging Q&A session followed the talk, where participants discussed the scope of Indo-European collaboration in environmental monitoring using remote sensing and GIS.
International Collaboration:
This lecture marks another step forward in fostering international academic exchange and research collaboration between Pondicherry University and European institutions. ECO-GIS Lab continues to encourage global perspectives in ecological and geospatial research.
About the Speaker:
Prof. Kalev Sepp is a former Vice Rector for Research at the Estonian University of Life Sciences and has served as an expert for the European Environment Agency and United Nations bodies. His interdisciplinary work bridges science, policy, and technology for sustainable landscape management.
International Summer School
12 - 25 February 2024
International Summer School on Spatial Technologies for Urban Resilience: Empowering India and Mongolia (STEER–2024)
Pondicherry University, 12–25 February 2024 | Prof. S. Jayakumar, Coordinator
The International Summer School on Spatial Technologies for Urban Resilience organized at Pondichrry University, a unique academic program held from 12–25 February 2024. This pioneering initiative brought together scholars, researchers, faculty members, and international experts to build capacity and share knowledge on applying spatial technologies to address urban challenges.
About the Summer School:
STEER–2024 was designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of remote sensing, GIS, and other spatial tools essential for planning resilient and sustainable cities. The program included a balanced mix of lectures, hands-on training, workshops, and field visits.
Themes Covered:
- Introduction to Urban Resilience and Spatial Technologies
- Satellite Data Acquisition and Pre-processing
- GIS Data Handling and Management
- Urban Mapping and Monitoring
- Spatial Analysis for Urban Resilience
- Green and Blue Infrastructure Planning
- Case Studies and Best Practices
- Capacity Building on DGPS Data Collection
- Workshop on Ecosystem Services for Decision-making
Highlights:
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Inaugural ceremony graced by Prof. Tharanikkarasu, Officiating Vice Chancellor, and distinguished guests including Prof. Clement Sagayaradja Lourdes, Prof. Utpal Sharma, Prof. Prathap Kumar Shetty, Dr. Anton Shkaruba, and Dr. Riccardo Privitera.
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Interactive sessions by international experts from Europe and Mongolia, enriching the learning experience with global perspectives.
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Field trips and practical exercises allowing participants to apply techniques in real-world contexts.
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Networking opportunities to foster collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and institutions.
Objectives:
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To build knowledge and skills in spatial data analysis and its applications in urban resilience.
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To encourage interdisciplinary learning and international cooperation.
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To empower participants with practical tools for addressing challenges in rapidly urbanizing regions.
Outcome:
Participants completed the program with enhanced technical competencies, a deeper understanding of spatial approaches to urban sustainability, and stronger professional networks to support their future work.
We are proud of the enthusiastic participation and positive feedback received from all attendees. STEER–2024 stands as a testament to Pondicherry University’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and capacity building for sustainable development.