A two-day International Conference on “Smart Villages and Rural Development (COSVARD 2025)” bringing together researchers, academicians, policymakers, and practitioners to deliberate on pathways for sustainable and inclusive rural development commenced at SASTRA, a deemed university, here on December 15.
The conference, held in hybrid mode, is jointly organised by the University of Melbourne and SASTRA Deemed University, focusing on the need-based smart, community-centric development models of the rural villages, leading to the climate positive outcomes. The conference particularly emphasised on the need for maintaining the urban-rural balance rather than closing the current gap of urban-rural divide, for sustaining the planet.
In his opening address, the Founding Chair of COSVARD and faculty member at the University of Melbourne, Hemanta Doloi, outlined the vision and growth of the COSVARD initiative. Claiming that research and policy attention continues to be disproportionately urban-centric, he said that sustaining rural regions was critical for meeting global sustainability and climate goals.
He highlighted the importance of balanced development that recognises the needs and potential of the rural population.
Delivering the chief guest address, Vice-Chancellor, Gandhigram Rural University, N. Panchanatham, emphasised empowering rural communities with digital, IoT, and ICT skills to promote smart villages and contain migration to cities. He said lessons from rural sustainable living practices could offer solutions to emerging urban sustainability challenges.
The conference features keynote lectures and technical sessions on rural infrastructure, sustainability, smart governance, and digital connectivity, reinforcing COSVARD’s role as a global platform for advancing smart and sustainable rural development, according to a SASTRA press release.
Published – December 15, 2025 05:48 pm IST
