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Welcome from Dean Govindan Parayil

Welcome to the Patel College of Global Sustainability (PCGS) at the University of South Florida. We have a very exciting year of innovation, learning, and development ahead of us.

My vision for PCGS is to make it an incubator for sustainable innovation and a hub for training a new generation of global sustainability graduates. I also wish to grow PCGS with a passion for transcending disciplinary boundaries in order to address the sustainability challenges facing our communities and the planet at large. Already known locally, nationally and internationally as a hub of sustainability, research and practice in the energy, water, sustainable tourism, and social entrepreneurship sectors, the Patel College is expanding. Through interdisciplinary cooperation on campus, we can embrace other aspects key to global sustainability such as civil society, conflict resolution, poverty, hunger, SDGs, sustainable development and international development.

This augmented perspective will enable the Patel College to more fully address global issues. While we are asking all nations of the world to develop appropriate policies and strategies to translate their sustainable development goals (SDGs) for transformation toward a sustainable future and urging developing nations to invest resources to protect their natural ecosystems, we must also think about the sustainability of the nations' vulnerable communities who lack access to nutrition, clean energy and healthcare. These issues are important and connected. By digging in at the root of the problem, we can promote permanent solutions to the world's most pressing issues and challenges.

At the Patel College, our students graduate to become tomorrow's leaders. However, success after graduation depends heavily on student drive and involvement. It isn't enough to excel academically; working in sustainability demands passion, commitment, and boots on the ground. PCGS offers our students numerous opportunities to get involved. These include our student development program, fellowships, scholarships, research opportunities and prestigious internships at organizations such as The Department of State, The Department of Energy, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

Opportunities to interact with communities around the world allows us a unique lens through which to look at and understand the social, economic and environmental sustainability challenges facing global communities. These experiences will help our students become global professionals whose contributions and ideas will create a sustainable future.

I would like to welcome our new students and welcome back our returning students to the Patel College of Global Sustainability to an exciting academic year.

Best wishes,

Dr. Govindan Parayil
Dean, Patel College of Global Sustainability
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL