Date: 18-04-2015
GTU sets up Asia’s first of its kind Graduate
School of Smart Cities Development
Hon Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu Minister of Urban Development inaugurated
Ahmedabad: The concept of Smart Cities is now ready. Now it will be presented to
cabinet for approval and then with the help of Government of India, State Government
and Local self-Government we can create Smart Cities. Technology, smart vision, change
of mind-set, involvement of everybody at every level, use of creative energy, water
harvesting and public places management and Public-private partnership (PPP) model
can bring the dream of smart cities into reality. Hon Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu Minister of
Urban Development, Government of India said.
GTU Graduate School of Smart Cities Development was inaugurated at GTU Auditorium,
Chandkheda, Ahmedabad by Hon Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu Minister of Urban
Development, Government of India. Gujarat Technological University(GTU) has set up
the Graduate School of Smart Cities Development. He said that Smart Cities can be
possible only with the determination, devotion and participation of people through
creating mass awareness campaign (Jan-Andolan) Like Swachchh Bharat. India is being
recognised worldwide and development is the key agenda. To achieve the goal,
universities must participate in public life.
Dr. Akshai Aggarwal Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University
welcomed all. He said that the Smart Cities concept came in mind during talk by
Executive Director of GIFT city in the year 2010. Then GTU started Post Graduate
Research centre for Infrastructure, Transportation and Water Management. On 9th
January, 2015 a Research Group of 41 professors was set up by GTU. Now GTU is
starting Graduate School of Smart Cities Development, which will be helpful as a
Resource Centre for the nation and for the world. The School will work for Capacity
Building, Training Courses, Research, Consultancy etc. to act as an eﬀective resource
centre for Smart Cities Development.
Ms. Mona Khandar, secretary of urban development of Gujarat said this is a futuristic
initiative of GTU to open Graduate School of Smart Cities Development. New
developmental journey of our country has started. In the exponential growth, lots of
preparedness is required. We have to pay attention on Smart (Zero) Waste Management
with the help of community initiative. We have to transform behaviour pattern.
Cleanliness is a collective responsibility. Smart means intelligent. I do not mean Smart
by dressing, but by modernised and scientific thinking. It is high time that people should
come together for the initiative. Smart cities have to be livable, Smart and Green.
Prof. N K Goyal President, CMAI Association Of India said on the occasion that, Asia’s
largest ICT association having 48,000 members and 54 MOU partners, CMAI
complements GTU for the initiative. CMAI will definitely help GTU in bringing national
and international industry expertise. I can assure GTU that they can always get full
support of all the industries. Microsoft and IBM are already knowledge partners. Very
soon many more international companies like Hitachi, intel etc. will support the
initiative. GTU will be doing great service like training people not only from Gujarat, but
from all over the world.
Dr.M.N.Patel, Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University, O.P.Vyas of IIT (who is helping in
setting up lab at GTU) were among present dignitaries. Prof. T. Harinarayana Director,
GERMI - PDPU, Gandhinagar introduced the chief guest Hon Minister Shri M. Venkaiah
Naidu Minister of Urban Development, Government of India. Key note speech was given
Prof. N K Goyal President, CMAI Association Of India, New Delhi. Prof. Shri Rajnikant
Patel Director, Graduate school of Smart Cities Development, GTU proposed vote of
thanks.
In technical session, Panel Discussion was held about Strategic Options for Fast Smart
Cities Development. In the discussion, Chairperson: Prof. Rajnikant Patel, Director,
Graduate school of SCD, Shri Ramakant Jha, MD & Group CEO, GIFT City, Ms. Swati Buch,
General Manager, GIDB, Prof. T. Harinarayana, Director, GERMI - PDPU, Gandhinagar,
Prof Saswat Bandopadhyay, CEPT University, Ahmedabad, Prof. Sejal patel, HOD, CEPT
University, Ahmedabad, Dr. Debasis Sarkar, HOD, PDPU, Gandhinagar AND Prof. Dr. K. N.
Sheth, Director, SPCE, and Dean, GTU participated.