Vivek Jaisree Mohandas from South India has been awarded one of the prestigious German Chancellor Fellowships offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Starting in November 2018, he will spend just under a year at the Wuppertal Institute to conduct research into the subject of construction and demolition waste recycling.

Each year, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's German Chancellor Fellowship for Prospective Leaders gives up to 50 highly talented future leaders from the United States, Russia, China, Brazil and India – ten per country – the opportunity to spend a year in Germany. Together with their German hosts, they carry out a project of their own choice. The programme, which is under the patronage of Dr. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, aims to enable aspiring decision makers, multipliers and pacesetters from various professional fields – including politics, public administration, business, society and culture – to network with other prospective leaders from around the world and to seek new answers to the global questions of our times.

"I'm looking forward to discovering the green city of Wuppertal and the cultural and scientific experiences that lie ahead. I closely want to examine the issues of climate protection and sustainability during my stay and develop realistic strategies for achieving these objectives. Together with the Wuppertal Institute, I'm looking forward to stimulating dialogue between Germany and India," says Vivek Jaisree Mohandas on the subject of the fellowship and future cooperation.
During their stay in Germany, the fellows will carry out independently developed, research-based projects at host institutions. They will be supervised by hosts in Germany, who they have selected themselves and who have the necessary expertise in the individual project topics. At the same time, the fellows will be able to gain an in-depth understanding of Germany’s social, cultural, economic and historical background through joint programme events.

Vivek Jaisree Mohandas has been attending an intensive German language course in Bonn since the start of July. This course, which runs until October 2018, is also part of the fellowship programme. A four-week introductory seminar will then begin in Bonn and Berlin in October, giving the fellows an opportunity to gain their first insights into German society, politics, business and culture as well as establishing contact with multipliers and partners. During this time, the group will also be greeted personally by the German Federal Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel.
Mohandas will embark upon his research project at the Wuppertal Institute in November. Dr. Henning Wilts, Director of the Division Circular Economy, is delighted to welcome this talented young man from India: "I think we have an exciting year ahead, and I'm very pleased to be able to work with Vivek Jaisree Mohandas to drive forward German-Indian cooperation in the field of sustainability research and the circular economy."

Vivek Jaisree Mohandas earned his Master’s degree at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) in the Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering. His main areas of activity and involvement are waste recovery and recycling in India. Amongst his other interests, he works for GMS Leadership, the world's largest ship recycling company, which plays a pioneering role in the sustainability-focused Green Ship Recycling Program (GSRP). Here, Mohandas has been carrying out research in the field of engineering, construction waste and resources: knowledge that he will transfer to the Division Circular Economy at the Wuppertal Institute.

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