Academy of Climate Change Education and Research
| കാലാവസ്ഥ വ്യതിയാന പഠന ഗവേഷണ കേന്ദ്രം | |
 | |
| Type | Education and research institution |
|---|---|
| Established | 2010 |
| Special Officer | Dr. E. K. Kurien |
| Location | Vellanikara, Thrissur, Kerala, India |
| Acronym | ACCER |
| Website | http://accerkau.com |
The Academy of Climate Change Education and Research established in 2010 as the seventh and youngest college under the Kerala Agricultural University. Surrounded by the green lush the college is located in the premises of the university campus. To provide quality learning and research in the field of climate change adaptation and mitigation the has MoU with CUSAT, ICRISAT, KFRI, KVASU and the University of Western Australia, some of the prominent institutes at the national and the international level. The institute follows the administrative pattern of the Kerala Agricultural University. As per the statutes of the university, the administrative head of the academy is the special officer. The college maintains a Class B Agro met Observatory to record various weather parameters, an Automatic Weather Station established by the India Meteorology Department (IMD) to have a deeper understanding of the environment and present weather patterns. The educational system followed in the college enables the students to achieve academic success as well as develop interpersonal skills. The academic staffs include associate professors of the university, guest faculties, subject experts from other institutions etc.The college has a very active students union whose objective is to develop leadership qualities, integrity and inculcate the spirit of service among the students. The placement cell aims at providing placement opportunities for the students. The college has well-equipped lab and a well-stocked library with subscription to national and international journals and periodicals. .[1]
History
The ongoing phenomenon of climate change and issues related to climate variability are among the major scientific challenges faced by the global community. In all the environment related aspects of agriculture there is a demand for climate change related aspects expertise. Here comes the need to train the man power in climate change education, research, and extension to meet the national and global demand of resource personnel in this field of specialisation. Kerala Agricultural University is the primary and the principal Institution of the Kerala state providing human resources, and skills and technology, required for the sustainable development of its agriculture. Kerala Agricultural University is the nodal agency for all the spheres of agriculture and allied science. Looking at its importance, the Kerala Agricultural University has established “The Academy of Climate Change Education and Research (ACCER)” and launched an innovative and unique post graduate programme in M.Sc. (integrated) Climate Change Adaption during the academic year 2010-2011. The seventh and the youngest college under KAU, ACCER is the first of its kind in Asia to offer high quality education at the post graduate level on areas with special focus to climate science, processes in the context of agriculture and environmental management. The institution has signed MoU with CUSAT, ICRISAT, KFRI, KVASU and the University of Western Australia, Perth. ACCER was formally inaugurated by Dr Thomas Issac, the then state finance minister. Dr GSLHV Prasada Rao became the first Special Officer of the institute. The present building is within the university campus at Vellanikkara which came up in 2011. The new academic block of ACCER has been inaugurated by Sri. Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala in presence of Sri. K.P Mohanan, Minister of Agriculture.[2]
Courses offered
M.Sc(Int) Climate Change Adaptation