In a significant academic achievement, Nitesh Dogne, a dedicated PhD research scholar at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) in New Delhi, has been selected for the highly competitive and fully-funded Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship for the 2025-26 academic cycle. This prestigious award, granted by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the United Kingdom, will enable him to advance his crucial research on tribal circular economies at the University of Bath.
A Highly Competitive International Honour
The Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship is recognized globally for its rigorous selection process. In 2024, the award was granted to only 57 scholars from 40 countries worldwide, highlighting the exceptional caliber of Nitesh Dogne's research proposal. His academic work stood out among a vast pool of international applicants, earning him this fully-funded opportunity. Notably, his research proposal also garnered selection interest from other leading UK institutions, including University College London, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, and Newcastle University.
Research Focus: Tribal Wisdom for Modern Sustainability
Under the expert guidance of his supervisors, Prof. Hina Zia, Professor and Head of the Department of Planning at JMI, and Prof. Nisar Khan from the Department of Architecture, Nitesh is investigating the Indigenous Knowledge System of Tribal Circularity practiced by the Bhil tribe. His research meticulously documents how this community manages vital resources like water, energy, biomass, and waste in a circular, near-zero manner.
Prof. Hina Zia explained the profound relevance of this work, stating that it explores the Bhil tribe's ecological wisdom, which offers critical insights for achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the research directly contributes to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and Climate Action (SDG 13), providing scalable models especially pertinent for the Global South.
Preserving Knowledge and Forging Global Ties
Prof. Nisar Khan emphasized the urgent need for this documentation, noting that the Bhil tribe's age-old sustainable practices are rapidly disappearing due to urbanization and modern pressures. He affirmed that this scholarly work will play a vital role in supporting the revival and integration of the Indian Knowledge System into contemporary sustainability dialogues.
The university leadership celebrated this accomplishment as a milestone for both the scholar and the institution. Prof. Mazhar Asif, the Vice Chancellor of JMI, congratulated Nitesh and his supervisors. He noted that this achievement not only repositions indigenous knowledge at the forefront of global climate solutions but also strengthens academic relations between Jamia Millia Islamia and the University of Bath. Echoing this sentiment, Prof. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar of JMI, commended the team and underscored that such global university collaborations are essential keys to addressing complex worldwide challenges.
Nitesh Dogne's scholarship underscores the growing global recognition of traditional ecological knowledge as a vital resource. His year of research at the University of Bath promises to yield valuable academic contributions that bridge ancient wisdom with modern scientific inquiry for a more sustainable future.
