![CUNY CREST_IISSM MoU_ Reza Khanbilvardi [left] and Ravindra Kishore Sinha](/sites/default/files/styles/600px_wide/public/2024-08/CUNY%20CREST_Reza_IISSM_MoU.jpg?itok=PqcsPUak)
Dr. Reza Khanbilvardi [left], CUNY CREST Executive Director, and IISSM Executive Chairman Ravindra Kishore Sinha after signing the MoU at CCNY.
The City College of New York-based CUNY Remote Sensing Earth System Institute (CUNY CREST) and the International Institute for Security and Safety Management (IISSM) are establishing a mutually beneficial research and educational collaboration and cultural exchange initiative aimed at driving innovation and impact across CUNY and in India. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at CCNY to launch the initiative.
“The collaboration with CUNY CREST represents a major step forward in our efforts to build resilient and sustainable communities,” said Ravindra Kishore Sinha, Executive Chairman, IISSM, who signed on behalf of IISSM, India. “By integrating advanced technologies and innovative research, we aim to develop comprehensive strategies that not only prevent losses but also create a safer and more secure environment for future generations."
Reza Khanbilvardi, Executive Director, CUNY CREST, signed the MoU on behalf of CCNY and said they were delighted to join forces with IISSM. “This partnership will enable us to translate cutting-edge research into practical solutions that can save lives and protect communities from the adverse effects of disasters and climate change."
Through the partnership, CUNY CREST and IISSM aim to leverage their respective strengths and expertise to:
• Advance knowledge;
• Enhance educational opportunities; and
• Foster community engagements;
In addition, it aims to address grand challenges related to key issues pertaining to earth systems, security, disaster management, safety management, climate change, and any other current global issues that could be jointly addressed.
The two partners will engage in joint research projects, share resources, faculty and student exchanges, workshops, webinars, courses, field trips and other cooperative activities designed to promote innovation and excellence in these critical fields. Another goal is to foster global skill development and policy advocacy focusing on sustainability. Through these efforts in addressing pressing challenges and preparing the next generation of leaders, enablers, and experts, the institutions will contribute to the betterment of society locally and globally.
Shakila Merchant, CUNY CREST Deputy Director, and Founding Director of CUNY HIRES, will head the CCNY side in the partnership. “Spearheading this collaboration with IISSM India, brings me closer to home (India) and provides me an opportunity to give back to my community that empowered me with knowledge, training, and experience. This collaboration marks the beginning to remarkable contributions that will empower communities in both countries and beyond,” she said.
Professor Santosh Kumar, IISSM CEO, said the MoU marked a milestone in its mission to advance safety and security standards globally. “By partnering with CUNY CREST, we are positioned to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including disaster management and climate change.”
He added that the collaboration would lead to a transformation in how IISSM approaches these issues by incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as space science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. “These advanced tools will enhance our capabilities in security, safety, and disaster management, and contribute significantly towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."
For more details about this collaboration, contact Khanbilvardi at khanbilvardi@ccny.cuny.edu , or Merchant at merchant@ccny.cuny.edu .
About IISSM
The International Institute of Security and Safety Management (IISSM) is a premier global sustainable skilling and workforce management institute in India. Established in 1990 and formally registered in 1992, it promotes professionalism among security and loss prevention practitioners. The institute trains and enables citizens in the field of security, ESG, HSSE, DEI, GESI, loss prevention, risk management, fire safety, disaster management, climate change, renewable energy, defense and paramilitary, international workforce immigration and all industries in public and private sectors. IISSM is headquartered in New Delhi.
About the CUNY CREST Institute
The CUNY Remote Sensing Earth System Institute, headquartered at the City College of New York, was officially approved by CUNY Board of Trustees in June 2010. The goal of the Institute is to serve as a CUNY-wide Institute of Excellence in Advancement of Earth System Sciences and application of Remote Sensing Technology as well as other emerging technologies. The Institute serves as a major hub of outstanding interdisciplinary research across CUNY colleges. The institute is designed to be a collaborative environment for faculty and scientists from different CUNY campuses to be able to work together in a variety of topics related to earth system sciences. The institute’s collaborative environment will enhance the advancement of science at CUNY and will create opportunity to attract external support.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers and society. At City College, more than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign, ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
Jay Mwamba
p: 917.892.0374
e:
jmwamba@ccny.cuny.edu