During a recent discussion with ET Edge Insights, Dr. Ananya Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor of Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, underscores the significance of integrating sustainability practices into universities, emphasising their pivotal role in fostering a more environmentally conscious and socially responsible academic environment.
Edited version
How can universities include sustainability principles in different academic programmes?
Universities are not only knowledge providers but also knowledge creators and, therefore, can become champions of sustainable development by incorporating sustainability concepts into their teaching and learning across curriculum and disciplines, including interdisciplinary studies.
One effective approach is through the implementation of Common Core Curriculum (CCC) – a core group of common courses mandatory for all students, irrespective of their major subject. The students are given projects and assignments to solve a real problem of sustainability; while also addressing issues such as air quality, solar power, sustainable transport, plastic, and waste management for a circular economy. All this is done, so that sustainability can be made a habit of the mind. Another way of inculcating sustainability principle in academic program is through offering immersive internships in rural and non-urban ecosystems where students get to work with local indigenous communities on various sustainability issues to ameliorate social enterprise challenges or create growth models for the social sector.
Additionally, universities can invest into cutting-edge laboratory facilities to train research scholars and enable them to work on problems of current relevance – as diverse as labour law, health care policies, big data, natural resource management, climate change, treatment of diseases like cancer, malaria, and other drug-resistant diseases to name a few, thus, integrating sustainability into our curriculum and research across departments.
Furthermore, universities can take the initiative of publishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) reports that captures the faculty’s teaching and research on sustainability.
What are the main challenges universities face in becoming sustainability hubs?
Integrating principles of SDGs at various levels of education, research, operations, and partnerships is beneficial to universities. However, some challenges exist, and the universities may need help integrating these principles. The most important challenge is leadership – we need leaders who can inspire a commitment to sustainability amongst all stakeholders in the university and beyond. Sometimes, this needs resources and actions that may not be easy to implement. But many require vision more than anything else.
Having a clear and well-coordinated strategy is another major obstacle universities must overcome to become sustainability hubs. Collaborative efforts within departments, faculties, and administrative responsibilities are necessary to achieve sustainability, and a strategic approach is required. Universities need to get rid of silos and develop an environment that encourages multidisciplinary cooperation. Getting broad support from academics, staff, and students is also essential, as is coordinating sustainability programmes with institutional aims. This calls for activities that actively involve the university community in sustainability efforts, effective communication, and instructional programmes to increase awareness. To build a solid foundation for sustainable practices and activities throughout the entire university ecosystem, it is essential to overcome these strategic difficulties.
In what ways do universities collaborate with industries and government bodies to promote sustainable research initiatives?
Sustainable development is a multi-faceted issue; hence, many stakeholders can play a significant role in promoting sustainable research initiatives. In this sense, the university can be a powerful liaison between stakeholders such as industries and governments.
Moreover, universities actively cultivate collaborations by forming strategic partnerships not only with industries but also with government bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and civil society actors. These diverse partnerships contribute to a more comprehensive approach to sustainable research initiatives. By engaging with government bodies, universities can influence policy-making and contribute their expertise to shaping sustainable practices at a broader societal level. Simultaneously, collaborations with NGOs and civil society actors provide avenues for community-focused research, ensuring that sustainability initiatives address local needs and contribute to social welfare. These multi-stakeholder partnerships enhance the impact and reach of sustainable research, creating a dynamic network that aligns academic research with real-world challenges and solutions. Ultimately, the synergy between universities, industries, government bodies, NGOs, and civil society actors forms a powerful alliance for advancing the agenda of sustainable development goals.
In what ways can universities contribute to the broader regional or global sustainability agenda?
With a broad remit around the creation and dissemination of knowledge, universities are, in fact, powerful drivers of local, regional, and global innovation, economic development, and societal well-being. Universities can contribute to the sustainability agenda at various levels by promoting SDG research. Map university research on SDGs and identify, support, and encourage interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research. Develop active partnerships with industry, government, not-for-profit, and communities – this will help support and incubate innovation for sustainable development solutions.
Being the center of knowledge dissemination and research, universities hold an immense responsibility to further the cause of sustainability and research. SDG 4 is about quality education to ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
The universities can regularly hold targeted residential programs for children, like winter and summer school. The residential program ensures participants engage in various themes such as biodiversity, ecology, growing micro-greens, composting recycling, and sustainable living.
Additionally, forming partnerships with regional organisations further amplifies the university’s impact, allowing for concerted efforts to address specific regional sustainability challenges and contribute meaningfully to the larger global sustainability discourse. Through these multifaceted approaches, universities become catalysts for positive change, actively shaping a more sustainable and resilient future.
How can universities ensure their sustainability efforts are equitable and inclusive?
One of the most concise definitions of sustainable development is the dynamic interaction between the natural and social systems while focusing on intergenerational justice. This intergenerational justice refers to being equitable and inclusive amongst others. In the Global South, we face the challenge of inequities in global consumption patterns and supply chains that negatively impact us. So, at the first level, some corrections are needed in global inequality patterns. Second, steps towards sustainability can increase equity. For example, the burden of procuring water for the family largely falls on women’s shoulders in many parts of the world. Vigilance about water conservation can help reduce this burden on women.
Furthermore, universities can promote equality and inclusivity in their sustainability initiatives by implementing proactive measures within their own institutional frameworks. This entails encouraging diversity and inclusiveness in decision-making processes about sustainability efforts. Universities should guarantee that sustainability initiatives are inclusive by actively integrating representatives from varied backgrounds, including different ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic situations. Creating spaces for open debate and feedback channels promotes a more democratic and participatory approach, in which marginalised communities’ perspectives are heard and appreciated.
How can universities involve students in decision-making processes related to sustainability?
One of the ways to involve students is through co-curricular and extra-curricular activities led by student councils and student clubs that enthuse them to learn about sustainability, come forth with ideas and innovative solutions, and be part of larger decision-making.
Additionally, creating formal channels for student representation in university governance structures is pivotal in involving students in decision-making processes related to sustainability such as student sustainability committees or councils. A platform for the students to voice their concerns, propose ideas, and actively participate in the decision-making that impacts the sustainability direction of the university. Encouraging a collaborative approach where students work alongside faculty and administrators fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for sustainability efforts.
Are there any specific goals or targets Shiv Nadar University has set for sustainability, and how does it measure progress towards these goals?
Certainly. We have achieved:
• 27% reduction in Carbon Footprint (CFP) in 2021-2022 compared to base year 2019-2020 (Scope 1, 2 and 3)
• 47% decrease in plastic waste in 2021-22 as compared to FY 2019-20
• 26% of the total power consumption on campus is currently from solar power
• 85% of our buildings are certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). We are currently working on a Project Platinum which aims to get Platinum rating for all new and recent building.
• We have 60+ species of water-saving (arid and semi-arid) plant species for water-conscious planting
