ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2021
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. In 2021, over 25,000 young leaders on 2,000+ campuses across 153 nations applied to join the Class of 2021. 136 campuses worldwide (just 6%) were selected to host the 2,000+ Millennium Fellows. The Class of 2021 is bold, innovative, and inclusive.

UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT SAIMA IQBAL SHAIKH, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW AND CAMPUS DIRECTOR FOR THE CLASS OF 2021.
Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture for Women | Pune, India | Advancing SDG 12 & UNAI 1

" The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it are the wise words by Robert Swan and hold true to this day till the generations to come. The simple fact that we are responsible for our environment drives me to work towards the development of UN Sustainable Goals. Pragmatism and problem solving, accompanied with empathy, constitute the makings of my work. Being a Millennium Fellow will enhance these skills and allow me to stand with credibility in my future social work. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Project Agroscape
The project ‘Agroscape’ deals with landscapes interspersed with agriculture. The pandemic situation has shown the rise in concern over food security and interest in healthier diets and quality lifestyles. Thus, it has become crucial to develop ecologically sensitive urban landscapes which integrate food rather than just aesthetics. To put this concept into practice, our project "Agroscape" has focused on developing urban farms in the form of edible landscapes that can be cultivated at the home, institute, and corporate levels.
1. Under Project Agroscape, a small-scale organic farm has been set up in the college campus of ‘Dr. B.N. College of Architecture, Pune.’ Agriculture based landscape has been designed which includes plantations of vegetables such as ‘Eggplant (Solanum melongena), chillies (Capsicum frutescens), Potato (Solanum tuberosum), Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii), Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)’. This produce is readily available and is planned to be utilized for food requirements in the college canteen. In order to set this farm, site visits to Urban farms and Biophilic projects in the vicinity were conducted to gain prior knowledge.
2. To increase our outreach, awareness in community and gain insights from experts in this domain, we have successfully conducted four online webinars under our ‘Organic Farming Techniques’ series. Speakers widely focused on topics such as the Importance of Bees in farming, Urban farming and Understanding an Architect’s role in SDGs.
3. An ‘SDG day’ event was also organized to educate and create awareness among fellow students through fun activities and quizzes. It held a crucial role in team bonding, communication amongst fellows and strengthening intra-team relations.
4. The project will further focus on expanding with Hydroponics (sustainable plantation technique to optimise water usage), Vertical gardening modules and Biophilic installations (with upcycled material) campus-wide.
5. An SDG Student hub has been set up on campus to gain participation of interested students which will ensure there’s no dead end to this initiative.
6. Along with this, we have also launched an outreach program by partnering with the regional Rotaract club. Within this program, our fellow mates are coworking with the Rotaract members to set up urban farms within old age homes and orphanages.
About the Millennium Fellow
Saima Shaikh is ambitious, gregarious, and extroverted. Currently a fourth-year architecture student at Dr.Bhanuben Nanavati College of Architecture, she aspires to have a sustainable practice of her own in the future. She is considerate, a natural leader, and dedicated to making her world more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Throughout her college years, her academic work has focused on sustainable architecture. As a professional, Saima hopes to support her beliefs and contribute towards the progression of UN Sustainable Development Goals.








