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Professor Walter Leal

Distinguished Euro-Professor
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Doctoral Degrees
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Professor Walter Leal

Distinguished Euro-Professor

A Message from the

Vice Chancellor

"Welcome to the World Peace University (WPU) GŌA - a visionary institution established to redefine the landscape of higher education. Our campus is not just a place of learning; it is a sanctuary for holistic development, where academic rigour meets the tranquility of nature."

  Prof. Walter Leal
   Vice Chancellor, WPU GŌA
World Peace University (WPU) GŌA is India’s first fully transdisciplinary higher education institution. We believe the complex challenges of the 21st century cannot be solved by isolated fields of study-they require a synthesis of knowledge, skills, and perspectives across disciplines.

By breaking down traditional silos between subjects, we empower students to think critically, innovate freely, and develop a comprehensive understanding of the world-emerging as both experts and versatile thinkers.

Sustainability is not a concept at WPU GŌA it is a core operational principle. From energy-efficient buildings to green biodiversity spaces, our campus is a living laboratory designed to inspire and educate in real-time. Our state-of-the-art facilities, advanced research labs, and dynamic degree programmes reflect an institution built for the future. We offer 5 programmes, each blending theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world application.

Three Pillars of Excellence

The vision of WPU GŌA rests on three foundational commitments that shape every student’s experience.

Transdisciplinary Learning

India's first university to fully embrace a transdisciplinary model, dissolving subject silos so students engage with the world's complexity as it truly is interconnected and multifaceted.

Sustainability at the Core

Sustainability guides our curriculum, operations, and campus design. Students don't just learn about environmental stewardship-they live it, on a campus that acts as a living laboratory.

Holistic Development

Fully residential and community-driven, WPU GŌA creates spaces for collaboration, creativity, and cultural engagement because education extends far beyond the classroom walls.

Prof. Walter Leal

Vice Chancellor, WPU GŌA
Top 1% Cited Researcher Globally

CHAIR POSITIONS

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Uppsala University, Merito University (Poland)

FIELD EXPERIENCE

70+ countries; missions for EU, World Bank, OECD, UNESCO, UNEP

RESEARCH FOCUS

Sustainable Development Climate Change

A Scholar of Global Standing

Professor Walter Leal is among the world’s foremost authorities on sustainable development and climate change. Holding professorial chairs across four European universities and rated among the top 1% of cited researchers worldwide, he brings unparalleled academic depth to WPU GŌA’s leadership.

Academic Qualifications

Ph.D.-Philosophy Doctor
D.Sc.-Doctor of Sciences
D.Phil.-Doctor of Philosophy
D.Ed.-Doctor of Education
D.L.-Doctor of Letters
D.Tech. - Doctor of Technology
Total Publications
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Books Author/Edited
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Research Projects
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Research Funding Mobilised
€ 0 M+

RESEARCH AREA 1

Sustainable Development

Founder of the European School of Sustainability Science and Research. Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals – 17 volumes, 1,700+ chapters, 2,300+ authors.

RESEARCH AREA 2

Climate Change

IPCC Contributing Author (AR5 & AR6). Founder of the International Climate Change Research and Information Programme (ICCIRP). Editor of the leading peer-reviewed Climate Management book series.

Academic & Research Leadership

  • Founding of IUSDRP & European Sustainability Networks

Established the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme and the European-North American Sustainability Research Consortium, creating global collaborative infrastructure.

  • International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (IJSHE)

Founding Editor since 2000-the world’s only journal dedicated exclusively to sustainability in higher education contexts.

  • IPCC Contributions - AR5 & AR6

Served as Review Editor for the 5th Assessment Report and Lead/Contributing Author for the landmark 6th Assessment Report on climate science.

  • Teaching & Doctoral Supervision
Supervised 200+ B.Sc. students, 100+ M.Sc. students, and 60+ Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral researchers across Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Sustainable Development, and Climate Change.

"A university that doesn't just prepare you for a career but for a life of purpose, impact, and meaning in a rapidly changing world."

Prof. Walter Leal , Vice Chancellor, WPU GŌA

Begin Your Journey

at WPU GŌA

Explore our 5 degree programmes, discover our transdisciplinary philosophy, and take the first step toward a life of purpose and global impact.
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