With a view to providing a platform to interact and meet experts from the field of waste management in general and solid waste management in particular and for deliberations on career opportunities in the same, Faculty of Management Studies and Department of Bio-Technology of Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies under the aegis of Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education (MGNCRE, MHRD, Govt. of India) organized a two-day Seminar and Exhibition on Career Opportunities in Solid Waste Management Sector.

The event was attended by Dr. M.M. Kathuria, Trustee, Manav Rachna Education Institutions, Major Shiva Kiran and Ms. Divya Chhabra from MGNCRE, Mr. P.P. Singh, founder of NGO- I Love My City, Dr. K. Kanan, Chair Professor- Department of Biotechnology (MRIIRS), faculty members, students and participants from all across the Faridabad region.

Dr. K. Kanan, Chair Professor, Department of Biotechnology, the first keynote speaker of the program set the tone with the  “Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh”, philosophy  which states that everything created should be propagated and destroyed and any deviation from this would be catastrophic. Relating to the analogy he added that unlimited waste creation without efficient disposal or re-engineering would lead to an unimaginable imbalance.

Major Shiva Kiran representing MGNCRE further laid stress on the pressing need to handle waste which is continuously increasing, to the extent, that now the Ghazipur dump is only 8 meters shorter than the Qutab Minar and we are on our way to create many Gazipurs across the country today. Mr. PP Singh, founder of NGO (I Love My City) apprised the students of the untapped the potential of waste management and recycling which could lead to multiple business propositions.

This was followed by the unveiling of the Seminar souvenir and the launch of the MBA curriculum in Waste Management. On this platform, the MBA programme in Solid Waste Management was launched and shall be available to students from academic session 2020-21.

The second day witnessed the success story of Ms. Renu Bali, Director &Founder of the NGO Tender Heart. The team emphasized on women empowerment and rendered alarming insights into increasing waste and the hazardous results thereof. The icing on the cake was the input provided by the invited exhibitors from the field who expanded on evolving techniques in waste management and the new career related and social entrepreneurship opportunities. The event culminated on a positive note with a ‘know your environment’ quiz conducted by the FMS students. 

Distinguished speakers and representatives from industry explained to student participants how waste is a valuable resource and may be converted into a viable business. Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Srivastava, Vice Chancellor, MRIIRS, assured representatives from MGNCRE that the University is determined to support the cause of Waste Management. Director General, MRIE, Dr. N C Wadhwa and Dean-Research, MRIIRS, Dr. Sarita Sachdeva expressed confidence in MREI’s contribution to preparing students for waste management.