As part of Thales’s CSR and solidarity efforts in India, Thales supported this transformative eco-innovation and entrepreneurship challenge, say sources from IIT Madras.

The CZC challenge aims to accelerate groundbreaking solutions to address climate change and foster sustainability, say sources from IIT Madras.

In line with Thales’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, Thales supported the programme for a second consecutive year, for its fourth edition, showcasing its commitment to building a safer, greener, and more inclusive world.

Final teams

The final 25 teams were shortlisted from the initial list of 500 teams.

These teams embarked on a rigorous six-month journey from April to develop sustainable prototypes across various sectors, including energy, materials, agriculture, air, and water, say sources from IIT Madras.

These teams were invited to IIT Madras to showcase their innovations at the CZC 4.0 Grand Expo, held from 26–28 October 2024, say sources from IIT Madras.

Mentoring

They were mentored on business aspects by Sustainability Mafia, a non-profit community of sustainability entrepreneurs.

The CZC initiative encourages deep-technology and circular economy solutions to combat pressing environmental issues. To date, the CZC has supported around 100 prototypes, say sources from IIT Madras.

Support

Mr. Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director for India, Thales said their organization is proud to have supported IIT Madras’ Carbon Zero Challenge.

This is an initiative that not only stimulates transformative eco-innovation but also resonates closely with our vision of advancing sustainable solutions for the future, he said.

Our collaboration on CZC with IIT Madras has been to empower young innovators across India to address critical environmental challenges and pave the way for development of impactful, resource-efficient technologies, in line with our long-term commitment towards nurturing a cleaner, greener world, he said.

We congratulate all the participants and look forward to the continued progress of these exceptional teams in shaping a sustainable tomorrow, he said.

Focus

Prof. Indumathi Nambi, Coordinator, Carbon Zero Challenge Coordinator, IIT Madras, said, with a focus on fostering eco-startups addressing global challenges like climate change, pollution, and circular economy, CZC 4.0 attracted over 2,000 participants from 775 universities and 430 startups across India.

Thirty successful startups have emerged from CZC’s previous cohorts, with another 35 advancing toward commercialization, said Prof Indumathi of IIT Madras.

Participating teams received up to ₹500K in funding and mentorship to develop their prototypes, she said.

Prof Indumathi further said with the success of CZC 4.0, IIT Madras and its partners continue to translate academic research and technology into commercial ventures, addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges through carbon-neutral technologies.

Teams

The top six teams and the team with special mention recognised for their contributions to sustainable technology are:

1. Gudlyf Mobility Pvt Ltd – H2ARWASTE: Developing hydrogen storage cylinders using agricultural waste.

2. EESAN – CBG for Sustainability: Enabling cleaner bio-methane for homes and small businesses.

3. Electropulse Innovations – Wastewater Treatment: Using high-voltage pulse generators for efficient wastewater management.

4. Thaal Chemy Innovations Pvt Ltd – Sustainable Packaging: Producing nano-cellulose from agricultural residues.

5. ReWinT – End-of-Life Turbine Blades: Transforming wind turbine blades using eco-friendly chemical and thermal processes.

6. Chrissron Biomass Solutions – Plant-Based Resin: Manufacturing sustainable resin from plant waste.

The Carbon Zero Challenge represents an unparalleled opportunity for the brightest minds to converge, channel their creativity, and contribute meaningfully towards shaping a sustainable future for our planet.

Together, we can ignite the spirit of entrepreneurship, protect our environment, and move closer to achieving a carbon-neutral world.

Also Read – IIT Kanpur showcases great cutting-edge start-ups

Much like how IT redefined career paths in the 2000s, the CIAP program is set to become the must-have credential for commerce students in the decade ahead, say sources from Veranda Learning Solutions.

Program

The program to be offered through this CIAP (Certified International Accounting Professional).

With the Finance and Accounting Business Process Outsourcing (F&A BPO) market projected to hit $134.65 billion by 2032, the CIAP program promises to be the gateway to lucrative and future-ready careers, say sources from Veranda Learning Solutions.

Game changer

Positioned as the program every commerce student must pursue, CIAP is an initiative that will redefine careers in the OAS sector. Its curriculum, developed in collaboration with the IAB, leverages over 100 years of expertise in professional accounting certifications, say sources from Veranda Learning Solutions.

With over seven decades of collective expertise and training nearly 1 lakh students in the commerce segment annually, Veranda will ensure the program is backed by its legacy of educational excellence.

Implementation

Veranda Learning Solutions serves as the implementation partner, delivering state-of-the-art training infrastructure and comprehensive student support.

Skills

The CIAP program provides practical, job-ready skills aligned with global standards, giving students a competitive edge in an industry poised for explosive growth, say sources from Veranda Learning Solutions.

NSDC supports this initiative by connecting students with financial partners, offering accessible loans to make the program attainable for all.

Powerhouse

India’s growing dominance in global outsourcing is evident from the recently released “India GCC Landscape Report – The 5 Year Journey” by Nasscom and Zinnov.

With over 1,700 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and 2,975 centres generating $64.6 billion in revenue in FY2024, the sector employs 1.9 million professionals.

Expanding into Tier-2 cities like Pune and Coimbatore, GCCs are creating new opportunities beyond metropolitan hubs. The CIAP program addresses the skills gap in the finance and accounting sector, preparing students to excel in this thriving global market.

Significant step

Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and Managing Director, NSDC International said the CIAP program represents a significant step in addressing the skills gap in India’s accounting and finance sector.

By collaborating with Veranda Learning and the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers, we are not only equipping students with globally recognized qualifications but also empowering them to seize lucrative career opportunities in a rapidly growing industry, he said.

‘Our commitment at NSDC is to ensure that this program is accessible to all aspiring professionals, fostering a diverse talent pool ready to meet the demands of the global market.’

Together, we are shaping a future where skilled individuals drive innovation and economic growth in India, he said.

IAB

Ms. Sarah Palmer, CEO, IAB, said they are delighted to partner with Veranda Learning Solutions Limited Learning and NSDC to introduce the CIAP program in India.

This initiative highlights our commitment to delivering high-quality, internationally recognized qualifications that cater to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the finance and accounting sectors globally, she said.

Expertise

Mr. Suresh Kalpathi, Executive Director and Chairman, Veranda Learning Solutions said this collaboration unites Veranda’s educational expertise, NSDC’s nationwide bandwidth, and IAB’s international proficiency to deliver transformative learning.

‘By 2025, it’s anticipated that 320 new GCCs would have opened in India, as many businesses open their first global centers outside of their home countries. Currently, India is expected to add 115 new GCCs every year, a huge rise from the current rate of 70 per year.’

This program, in a nutshell, provides students with the skills, opportunities, and global exposure needed to thrive in high-growth sectors, he said.

With a strong foothold in the academic sector, managing both schools and colleges, as well as in test preparation, vocational training, and software upskilling, Veranda has significantly expanded its reach and impact.

The company’s platform integrates advanced technology, robust processes, and innovative methodologies to deliver high- quality, personalized learning experiences to students nationwide.

Committed to driving student success and achieving outstanding academic outcomes, Veranda employs a multi-modal delivery system supported by a disciplined and comprehensive learning framework.

Also Read – Veranda Learning Solutions enters middle east