University of Madras joins DC to create e-waste awareness

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In a first-of-its-kind initiative, University of Madras has teamed up with UK’s Northampton University to offer a two-year online MBA programme and also Ph.D in waste management through its Centre of Academic Excellence in Waste Management from this academic year.

Delivering his presidential address at the launch of an e-waste campaign by Deccan Chronicle as part of its public welfare initiatives Sunday morning, vice-chancellor G.

Thiruvasagam said the country badly needed good managers to efficiently handle waste, especially the hazardous electronic waste.

“In other countries, they have various methods and technologies to dispose waste in a better way. So, we have joined hands with Northampton University to offer online MBA, MSc and Ph.D programmes in this area,” he said, explaining that students registering would be able to get dual Ph.Ds from the two universities.

Pointing out that electronic gadgets posed a grave danger to mankind if not disposed in a proper way, Prof. Thiruvasagam said cathode ray tubes used as television and computer monitors contained harmful substances such as barium and cadmium.

If e-waste is buried in land dumps, these hazardous substances would irreversibly ruin groundwater and cause harmful diseases, he warned.

“India has 58 million television sets and this number will increase four-fold in just five to six years. When new electronic gadgets enter our homes, old ones become obsolete. We must devise proper ways to dispose these extremely hazardous wastes; otherwise, future generation is at risk,” said the V-C.

Complementing DC for its effort against e-waste, he urged corporates, particularly IT companies, to join in to create awareness among employees and the general public.

“I am happy that DC’s initiative will create a greater amount of awareness among people about the hazards of e-waste,” he said.

US consul general Jennifer A. McIntyre, MARG Group chairman and managing director G.R.K. Reddy and A. K. Pattabiraman, TCS head of accreditation process for southern India, were among those who addressed the packed hall at Madras University.