In a landmark move towards embedding sustainability in higher education, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Mysore. Announced on December 9, 2025, this partnership aims to promote green education and capacity-building programs, equipping students and faculty across Karnataka with the knowledge and skills needed for a sustainable built environment.

A Timely Collaboration for Sustainability

The construction and building sector is one of India’s fastest-growing industries, but it also contributes significantly to energy consumption, water usage, and carbon emissions. As India strives towards its net-zero goals by 2070, integrating green practices into education is crucial. This MoU addresses that need head-on by introducing specialized courses on the Green Built Environment as electives or core components in curricula across the University of Mysore’s affiliated colleges.

Key focus areas include students in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and architecture streams. The initiative goes beyond theory, emphasizing practical training, industry exposure, and real-world application of sustainable building practices.

What the Partnership Entails

Under the agreement:

• IGBC’s Role: Develop course content, train faculty members, provide accreditation, and offer hands-on insights through expert sessions, online modules, site visits to certified green buildings, and participation in IGBC events.
• University of Mysore’s Role: Integrate the courses into academic programs, deliver classroom sessions, nominate faculty for training, and encourage student involvement.

The collaboration also promotes experiential learning, with opportunities for students to engage in flagship IGBC initiatives like the Green Building Congress, World Green Building Week, and the Green Education Conclave.

As Mr. Vinod Maroli, Chairman of the IGBC Mysuru Chapter, stated during the signing:

“The signing of this MoU marks a significant milestone in our collective effort to build a more sustainable future. By collaborating with the University of Mysore, we are integrating green building knowledge at the academic level and empowering students to become future-ready professionals in the green built environment.”

Prof. Lokanath N. K., Vice Chancellor of the University of Mysore, echoed this sentiment:

“This collaboration with IGBC is a meaningful step toward strengthening our commitment to sustainability-driven education. The University of Mysore has always championed knowledge that creates impact, and this partnership will enable our faculty and students to contribute actively to India’s sustainable development journey.”

Why This Matters for Karnataka and Beyond

The University of Mysore, one of India’s oldest and most respected institutions, has a wide network of affiliated colleges, making this partnership a powerful vehicle for widespread impact in Karnataka. By fostering a new generation of professionals skilled in green building concepts—such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly materials—the initiative aligns with national priorities like the Energy Conservation Building Code and India’s global sustainability commitments.

This MoU builds on IGBC’s broader Green Education Programme, which has already introduced certification courses for students nationwide. It represents a growing trend of academia-industry partnerships driving the green building movement, with over 18,100 projects and 14.80 billion sq. ft. of green footprint already registered under IGBC.

Looking Ahead: Inspiring a Greener Tomorrow

As climate challenges intensify, initiatives like this one are beacons of hope. By nurturing sustainability champions from the classroom, IGBC and the University of Mysore are not just educating—they are empowering young minds to innovate, lead, and build a resilient, net-zero India.

This partnership is more than an MoU; it’s a call to action for educational institutions everywhere to weave sustainability into the fabric of learning. Here’s to a greener, more sustainable future—one student, one building, one campus at a time.

  GreenEducation, IGBC, Karnataka, mysore