In a significant stride towards sustainable development and technological self-reliance, the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) has launched a dedicated centre for electronic waste management. The Vinod Ghai E-waste Management and Recycling Centre was officially inaugurated at the Department of Metallurgical Engineering on Tuesday by IIT-BHU Director, Professor Amit Patra.
A Vision for Sustainable Innovation
Addressing the event via video conference, Director Professor Amit Patra emphasised the centre's role as a crucial initiative. He stated it represents the institute's commitment to fostering innovation-based solutions in key areas like sustainable development, environmental protection, and the pressing global challenge of electronic waste management.
Echoing this sentiment, Dean of Faculty Affairs, Professor N K Mukhopadhyay, highlighted the centre's multi-dimensional relevance. He pointed out its importance from academic, technical, and social perspectives, noting its potential to support a circular economy, promote national self-reliance in critical materials, and contribute to sustainable development goals.
Addressing the E-Waste Crisis with Indigenous Research
The head of the Department of Metallurgical Engineering underscored the growing problem of e-waste in India and globally. He stressed the urgent need for homegrown, science-driven efforts to tackle this issue and underlined the pivotal role higher educational institutions like IIT-BHU must play. This involves encouraging interdisciplinary research and forging stronger collaborations between industry and academia to develop practical solutions.
The centre's establishment was made possible through the philanthropic support of alumnus Vinod Ghai, a distinguished metallurgical engineer. Dean of Resources and Alumni, Professor Hiralal Pramanik, detailed Ghai's journey. After completing his undergraduate and postgraduate education at IT-BHU, Ghai built an illustrious career in Germany and Canada, serving as a Resource Recovery Manager at the Steel Company of Canada (Stelco). His generous contribution of Rs 3.8 crore for the centre and related endowment initiatives reflects his deep connection to his alma mater and a visionary goal to strengthen India's indigenous capabilities in metallurgy and sustainable technologies.
Objectives and Future Impact
Professor Kamlesh K Singh, the centre's principal investigator, outlined its core objectives. The centre aims to facilitate innovation, recycling, and sustainable management of electronic waste. Its focus areas are comprehensive and forward-looking:
- Developing effective systems for e-waste collection and recycling.
- Conducting advanced research on recovering critical metals to reduce India's import dependence.
- Utilising cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for smarter waste management.
- Creating a skilled workforce trained in modern recycling methods.
Through its state-of-the-art incubator facility, the centre is poised to promote eco-friendly solutions and boost indigenisation in line with the national 'Make in India' initiative. It is also expected to generate new livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities within the burgeoning field of e-waste management and recycling, making a tangible social and economic impact.
