Refining Workplace Solutions
As part of its Urban Works Innovation Challenge project, Columbia Global Centers| Mumbai organized an intensive seminar for three student teams and five startup companies from January 7-16 who are designing solutions for environmentally sustainable urban workplaces in India.
Faculty mentors from Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science provided a global perspective on technical solutions for environmental sustainability and explored their applicability to Indian cities. Ioannis Kymissis, Professor of Electrical Engineering, discussed miniature sensors and the Internet of Things, positing that while a few devices have traditionally dominated the environmental and health monitoring markets, a range of new sensors, communication systems, power supplies, and autonomous electronics have redefined what can be achieved. Vijay Modi, Professor of Mechanical Engineering whose area of expertise is energy resources, energy planning for access, and renewable integration dwelled on how energy services can be made more accessible, efficient, and cleaner. Faye McNeill, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, discussed clean air solutions based on her two decades of experience on the study of air pollution. Patricia Culligan, Professor of Civil Engineering and a leader in the field of urban sustainability, shared her insights on the recent advances in the field of Urban Green Infrastructure and outlined strategies whereby systems can address future climate change impacts. Students also benefited from presentations by environmental experts based in India, including contemporary artist, Meera Devidayal, waste management pioneer, Mr. Jose Jacob Kallarakal, and urban sustainability scholar, Dr. Prasad Modak. Through site visits to Godrej Properties and Mahindra & Mahindra Sustainability group, participants engaged first-hand with personnel and field projects to understand the dynamics of sustainability protocols at play in the corporate world.
The teams also learned about the feasibility of designing for India from a business point of view with topics ranging from value proposition and successful pitching to building a brand and learning from the startup experience of Columbia alumni.
The seminar concluded with a round of presentations from the student teams with feedback on how to further customize their design solutions for India. The five startup teams from India will go one to participate in a six-month curriculum with the CoWrks Foundry, with support from the Center.
