New Delhi, December 1, 2025: Mr. Nitesh Dogne, a research scholar at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), has been awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Split-site Scholarship for the academic year 2025–26. He is pursuing a Ph.D. on the topic “Indigenous Knowledge System of Tribal Circularity” under the supervision of Prof. Hina Zia, Professor and Head, Department of Planning, and Prof. Nisar Khan from the Department of Architecture, JMI, New Delhi.
Awarded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), United Kingdom, the scholarship is among the most competitive and fully funded international awards, granted to a select number of outstanding research scholars worldwide. In 2024, only 57 scholars from 40 countries received this honor. Under the scholarship, Mr. Dogne will continue his research for one year at the University of Bath. His research proposal was also shortlisted by University College London, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, and Newcastle University.
Explaining the significance of the project, Prof. Hina Zia said that the study explores how the Bhil tribe manages water, energy, biomass, and waste in a circular and near-zero waste manner. Their ecological practices, she noted, offer valuable insights into achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), particularly in the Global South.
Prof. Nisar Khan added that the research documents the traditional practices of the Bhil tribes, which are rapidly disappearing due to urbanization. This documentation, he said, will serve as a foundation for the revival of indigenous knowledge systems to promote sustainability.
Congratulating the scholar and his mentors, JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif remarked that the award not only highlights the global relevance of indigenous knowledge in addressing climate challenges but also enhances academic collaboration between Jamia Millia Islamia and the University of Bath.
Registrar Prof. Mahtab Alam Rizvi also commended the research scholar and his supervisors, emphasizing the importance of international research partnerships in tackling shared global issues.
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