TERI School of Advanced Studies

TERI School of Advanced Studies
Name	TERI School of Advanced Studies
Established	1998
Type	Private
City	New Delhi
Country	India
Campus	Urban

TERI School of Advanced Studies is a private university focused on sustainability studies, environmental science, and energy policy. Founded in the late 1990s, the institution grew from an environmental research institute into a postgraduate and doctoral teaching and research university, engaging with national and international organizations. It offers interdisciplinary programs that connect energy, climate, natural resources, and development, attracting students and researchers from multiple countries.

History

The school originated from initiatives by the Tata Group, Government of India, and the United Nations Environment Programme era policies, building on research traditions associated with Delhi-based institutions and the legacy of foundations like the World Bank. Early collaborations involved organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, Environmental Protection Agency (United States), and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Key milestones referenced interactions with bodies like the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and events including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations. Leadership phases included figures who interacted with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and international centers like IIASA and CIFOR. The school’s evolution paralleled national programs such as initiatives by the Planning Commission and collaborations with agencies like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Campus and Facilities

The campus is located in the Tughlaqabad area of New Delhi and includes academic blocks, residential halls, laboratories, and conference facilities that have hosted delegations from the United Nations, European Union missions, and delegations linked to the Commonwealth and ASEAN. Facilities have been upgraded with equipment sourced through partnerships with institutions like CSIR-NISTADS, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, National Institute of Hydrology, and testing collaborations with Bureau of Indian Standards. The campus has hosted workshops involving delegations from the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Energy Agency, and representatives from universities such as Harvard University, University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Oxford. Onsite laboratories support research themes aligned with bodies like the International Solar Alliance, Global Environment Facility, and the Green Climate Fund.

Academics and Research

Academic programs include postgraduate and doctoral offerings in themes that intersect with policy institutions such as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Finance (India), and regulatory agencies like the Central Pollution Control Board. Curricula and research projects have been supervised in collaboration with centers like Indian Institute of Science, TERI Energy and Resources Institute partners, and international research partners including Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, Yale University, Columbia University, and ETH Zurich. Research themes address issues central to dialogues at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, International Renewable Energy Agency, and initiatives involving the Global Green Growth Institute and United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Faculty and researchers have published in outlets and engaged with programs linked to Nature Conservancy, WWF, The Energy and Resources Institute, and networks including ICLEI and C40 Cities. Specialized centers collaborate with laboratories such as the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and institutes like Punjab Agricultural University and Indian Statistical Institute on data-driven and field research.

Admissions and Funding

Admissions processes interact with national testing and scholarship schemes linked to entities such as the University Grants Commission, All India Council for Technical Education, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research fellowships, and scholarship programs supported by institutions like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Funding for student fellowships and research has come from sources including the Department of Science and Technology (India), Department of Biotechnology (India), and international donors such as the European Commission, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and bilateral agencies like United States Agency for International Development and UK Department for International Development. Students have competed for internships and placements with organizations like NTPC Limited, Reliance Industries, Siemens, Schneider Electric, and international consultancies such as McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group, and Ernst & Young.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The school maintains collaborations with national laboratories and universities including Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Indian Statistical Institute, Institute of Economic Growth, and Banaras Hindu University, as well as international partners like University of Melbourne, University of Tokyo, National University of Singapore, Technical University of Denmark, and University of Cape Town. It has engaged in projects with multilateral and bilateral partners such as the United Nations Environment Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Union, and private sector partners including Tata Power, Aditya Birla Group, ONGC, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. Memoranda and joint programs have connected the school with think tanks and policy groups like Observer Research Foundation, Brookings Institution, Chatham House, and Natural Resources Defense Council.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

Alumni and faculty have included individuals who went on to roles in institutions such as the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, NITI Aayog, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and corporate or NGO leadership at Tata Group, Mahindra Group, Shell, TotalEnergies, Siemens Gamesa, The Energy and Resources Institute, United Nations Development Programme, and WWF. Scholars have collaborated with editorial boards and initiatives associated with Nature, Science, The Lancet, Energy Policy, and policy fora like the World Economic Forum and Climate Group. Visiting faculty and speakers have come from institutions including Princeton University, Cornell University, London School of Economics, Carnegie Mellon University, and Pratham-linked education projects.

Category:Universities and colleges in Delhi