Relationships for SDG policy

Universities in Global South can be changemakers to achieve SDGs: JGU Vice Chancellor at ACUNS meet in Tokyo

The Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, addressed the prestigious Annual Meeting of the Academic Council of the United Nations System (ACUNS) held in Japan in June 2024 and delivered the keynote speech.

In his speech titled ‘The Role of Universities in the Global South for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’, Dr. Raj Kumar outlined how critical it was to achieve the ambitious Agenda 2030 in the remaining six years and how important it is for all stakeholders, governments and corporations to undertake strategic policies and actions to contribute directly to the fulfilment of the SDGs and solve pressing global issues. “It is essential that knowledge production and distribution, innovation, cutting-edge research, interactive learning, and capacity building are enhanced for human development and universities and other higher education institutions can be a key platform to realise the fruitful conclusion of these important and demanding tasks,” he said.

Panel discussion on Internationalisation of Education

Global awareness and interconnectedness through the internationalisation of higher education have a significant role in shaping the next generations of learners. Agreeing on this, one of the key areas which NEP-2020 emphasises is the internationalisation of the higher education system. The Policy reinforces the need to attain the goal of global quality standards, attract greater numbers of international students, and achieve the goal of “internationalisation at home”. Professor C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellors of JGU was one of the panellists on the thematic session.

Indian Education Dialogues & Implementation NEP 2020: Consultative Process by O.P. Jindal Global University

The National Education Policy 2020 has undergone a comprehensive consultative process with all key stakeholders to create a visionary policy that speaks to the aspirations of young India. Skills like critical thinking, creativity and collaboration, combining learning and knowledge with application, are growing in relevance. Today’s world is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, in which the only constant is change. This requires the development of leaders who can think on their feet, innovate, and find solutions to a never-ending series of business and people problems. In this regard, a multidisciplinary system of education, as suggested by the NEP (National Education Policy) 2020, is an aspiration to provide students with a well-rounded, holistic and flexible education. The recommendations on higher education received in the past year have been engaging. Public policy of any kind requires a lot of effort in all stages of the policy-making cycle. Harold Lasswell, at the University of Chicago and Yale University, developed a multi-dimensional model of effective policy-making that is used even today. The five dimensions of his model are: agenda setting; policy formation; decision-making; policy implementation; and policy evaluation. Policy-makers around the world have learnt enormously from Lasswell’s model. The current times and the unique challenges and opportunities that India faces demand a reassessment of the model. I propose three additional dimensions between the policy formation and the decision-making process: creating awareness among all stakeholders; building consensus among institutions; developing institutional mechanisms to support the policy. So far, the NEP-2020 has focused on the three proposed dimensions. Stakeholders are seeing the efforts of the Government of India towards ensuring that the policy is implemented in earnest. Since the launch of NEP, the government has been preparing plans for its implementation. However, vibrant democracies such as India, where ‘education’ is on the Concurrent List of the Constitution, require deliberations, debates and discussions at all levels of the government and regulatory architecture, and among different types of higher education institutions (HEIs).

International Institute for Higher Education Research & Capacity Building (IIHEd)

The International Institute for Higher Education Research & Capacity Building (IIHEd) is an independent research institute within JGU that is focused on pursuing research and capacity building initiatives on different aspects of higher education in India and beyond. IIHEd actively engages in producing policy papers, policy briefs and relevant documents for the use of and consultation by the parliamentarians, government departments, higher education regulatory bodies, international organisations, higher education institutions, policy makers in India and abroad and other stakeholders.

Education in the wider community

Workshop with JGU students and Afghan Refugee youth in collaboration with Simurgh Centre, Max Mueller Bhavan, and Afghan Studies Centre, JSIA

The Centre for Afghanistan Studies (CAS) has organised a one-of-a-kind creative writing workshop ‘Aaghaaz’,  in collaboration with the Simurgh Centre in New Delhi. The Simurgh Centre works to create exchanges and conversations across the Afghan diaspora worldwide, and it has also developed into a safe cultural space for the Afghans residing around it, a space for both structured and unstructured conversations. 

Our workshop hosted participant student writers from both O.P. Jindal Global University and the Simurgh Centre. The central experience of the workshop, in the spirit of collaboration, was that each student from O.P. Jindal Global University will be paired with a young Afghan member of the Simurgh Centre, who will work together as partners for all exercises and discussions conducted throughout the workshop, apart from the final pieces, which were penned by each participant individually. 

This workshop brings with it a rare opportunity for students from both the communities to discuss, collaborate, express and channel their literary flair. It allowed participants a platform to explore themes of youth, identity and community that come to shape all persons, but leave each with a different journey, unlike any other. Through this event, young persons with widely distinct experiences from their youth could come together to create meaningful works of prose and poetry. The participant writers had the freedom of expressing themselves in Hindi, English, Urdu, Pashto and Dari. At the end of the workshop, each participant also received a certificate of participation and appreciation.

Courses on sustainability

Elective courses offered that are aligned with the United Nations SDGs

SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation

SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy

SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

SDG 13: Climate Action

SDG 14: Life Below Water

SDG 15: Life on Land

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

SDGs 17: Partnership of the Goals

Commitment to meaningful education

Courses

The LL.M. in Human Rights offered at Jindal Global Law School is a forward-looking programme designed to equip students with the skill set to engage with contemporary challenges of the changing world order. The course structure of the LL.M. programme focuses on the human rights concerns arising from business activities, technology, migration, climate change and much more. The course offerings are unique and aim to expand upon conventional human rights discourse. The Human Rights specialisation will train future legal professionals to navigate the ever-evolving value systems and current human rights concerns. JGLS offers an opportunity to learn from international faculty who will bring forward perspectives from around the world, which are relevant for resolving these topical issues. Our modern world is closely integrated and we must look beyond national systems to overcome human rights related concerns. JGLS offers the optimum global environment for such a discourse to flourish.

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International collaboration and research for SDG best practice

JSAA MoU with the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy 

The Jindal School of Art & Architecture (JSAA) signed an MoU with the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) on September 19, 2024. Together, we are committed to fostering joint research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in energy-efficient design and the built environment. Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) is one of the leading organisations in India dedicated to advancing energy efficiency through data-driven and evidence-based policies and research.

Jindal-Melbourne joint conference on the theme “Envisioning Shared Futures of Education: Australia and India’s Global Potential”

This conference is the culmination of a year-long dialogue between the senior leadership of the University of Melbourne and O.P. Jindal Global University to spearhead future collaborations between both these reputed institutions. 

Prof. Mohan Appointed Visiting Professor to London School of Economics and CNES’ Research Work in Cambodia.

In the early summer of 2024, Professor Deepanshu Mohan was appointed a Visiting Professor at the Saw See Hock Southeast Asia Centre at LSE. 

Prof. Mohan, during the first year of appointment, was involved in research and writing at LSE, while disseminating our ethnographic work undertaken in different provincial spaces across Cambodia (mostly studied during the period of 2016-2019 period across different projects supported by the JGU Research Grant Committee, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and other funding networks). 

The visits to Cambodia and the research undertaken across cities of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang province etc. was supported by local researchers who worked closely with the CNES team in conducting field interviews and assisting with translations and documentation. Some of the research work is published and openly accessible from here, here and here

The 2024 summer visit also allowed the creation of incubated cross-institutional partnerships between the LSE research community and JGU through our University’s IDEAS office. At the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, IDEAS, there are more than 15 scholars now who have formally joined the International Advisory Board to be involved in supporting the growth of research constellations, in addition to being engaged as knowledge sharing partners in the institute’s research journey. 

JGU is a signatory of the CANIE Accord

O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is proud to be a CANIE Accord signatory. We are committed to responding to global sustainability challenges by integrating the social, economic and environmental perspectives of the SDGs in our strategy and operations. Universities play a transformative role in research towards climate change, but it is also our responsibility to lead by example and work towards a net zero emissions goal. JGU’s core value of sustainability is aligned with the goals of the Accord.

This partnership particularly targets SDG 13: Climate Action. Out of the several public commitments we have made, the following specifically focus on collaboration:

• Commit to greater levels of collaboration with other stakeholders in international education to forge a coordinated approach to accelerate climate action.
• Collaborate to design policy options to incentivise and drive climate conscious practices across the sector. For example, through support or funding for think tanks, research, and other new or existing initiatives.
• Collaborate globally on data collection and surveys relating to climate action in international education.
• Commission and support research and data collection on the intersections of climate change, global education, and social justice.

Collaborative research on the SDGs 

Prof. Thibault Weigelt: Report for the GIHR on human rights requirements for official poverty reports.

Prof. (Dr.) Abhiroop Chowdhury: Researched on studies that establish marine pollution impacts using machine learning tools. It is a collaborative work between O.P. Jindal Global University, Wuhan University (China), Zhejiang University, (China), University of Kelaniya (Sri Lanka), Zhejiang Ocean University (China), Shanghai Maritime University (China), Fudan University (China), Changzhou University (China) and Ministry of Natural Resources (China). Research output is indexed at SCOPUS Database: Ning, Jia, Shufen Pang, Zainal Arifin, Yining Zhang, U. P. K. Epa, Miaomiao Qu, Jufen Zhao, Feiyang Zhen, Abhiroop Chowdhury, Ran Guo, and et al. 2024. “The Diversity of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Marine Pollution: A Systematic Literature Review” Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 12, no. 7: 1181. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12071181

Dr. Piyush Pranjal:  International Collaborative Research Publications covering different SDGs: 1) Shukla, K., Kaur, M., Mukherjee, M., Pranjal, P., & Sarkar, S. (2024). Conscious entrepreneurship: An authentic narrative for entrepreneurial ventures. In Compelling Storytelling Narratives for Sustainable Branding (pp. 92-115). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/conscious-entrepreneurship/350343 2) Singhal, V., Sethi, S., & Pranjal, P. (2024). AI, the new-age lawyer: Industry 5.0 and sustainable development in legal practice. In Powering Industry 5.0 and Sustainable Development Through Innovation (pp. 198-217). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/ai-the-new-age-lawyer/348224 3) Pranjal, P., Singhal, V., Sarkar, S., & Aggarwal, T. (2024). Mental health, SDGs, and spiritual care: A Call for legal advocacy. In Bridging Health, Environment, and Legalities: A Holistic Approach (pp. 182-204). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/mental-health-sdgs-and-spiritual-care/338121

Dr. Max Steuer: Collaboration with scholars from ELTE University on assessing resistance and resilience of constitutional courts against autocratization–presentation at ICON-S 2024 conference, also YCC@ASCL panel and special issue project proposal https://ascl.org/news/online-ycc-panel-21-october-2024-constitutional-court-resilience-and-resistance-vis-a-vis-de-democratization/ Do we want the rule of law? Why (not)? Charles University, Prague, Czechia & online. October 11, 2024. Invited presenter. https://www.prf.cuni.cz/sites/default/files/uploads/files/Programme-Do-we-want-the-RoL.pdf

Prof. Siddharth Kanojia:  Participated in International Symposium of Law and Maldives: Navigating Geopolitics, Trade and Sovereignty held in Male, Maldives in December 2023. https://www.villacollege.edu.mv/news/villa-college-hosts-international-symposium-on-law-and-global-affairs

Mr. Hemendra Singh: Research publications related to SDGs: 1. Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights and the Law (Book Chapter) in the book, Bridging Human Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility: Pathways to a Sustainable Global Society. IGI Global. (Dealing with Goal 12 and Goal 16) 2. Legal aspects of digital ethics in the age of artificial intelligence (Book Chapter) in the book, Balancing Human Rights, Social Responsibility, and Digital Ethics. IGI Global. (Dealing with Goal 16) A link to my Scopus profile: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57217560109

Dr. Renu Emile: 1. Domestic Migrant Well-Being Orientations in Policy in a Developing Country (India): A Reflection 2. Renu Emile, Jayne Krisjanous, Maedhavini Banga & Djavlonbek Kadirov (11 May 2024): Healthcare access for pregnant women in a rural developing country context: Formal and informal institutional challenges, Health Marketing Quarterly, DOI: 10.1080/07359683.2024.2347047

International collaborations for data gathering

JGU is the lead host university of APAIE 2025 themed “Cultivating Global Citizens for the Future: The Higher Education Imperative in the Asia Pacific and Beyond”

In an ever more interconnected world, the significance of nurturing global citizens through higher education stands as an integral endeavour of paramount importance, encompassing the Asia-Pacific region. This theme encapsulates the ethos of fostering individuals who are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to navigate and contribute to our complex global society sustainably. Beyond traditional academic pursuits, this initiative seeks to instil a deep understanding of global issues, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the ability to collaborate across cultures. Through research and capacity building, global higher education, collaborations, and a focus on inclusion of diversity, higher education institutions serve as the catalysts for nurturing these global citizens whilst promoting sustainability in all its dimensions. Research and Capacity Building is one of the 5 proposed subthemes: Topics may include encouraging interdisciplinary research that addresses global challenges, building research capacities through international partnerships and exchanges, empowering students and faculty with the skills and resources to engage in impactful research with global impact.

JGU is a signatory of the CANIE Accord

O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) is proud to be a CANIE Accord signatory. We are committed to responding to global sustainability challenges by integrating the social, economic and environmental perspectives of the SDGs in our strategy and operations. Universities play a transformative role in research towards climate change, but it is also our responsibility to lead by example and work towards a net zero emissions goal. JGU’s core value of sustainability is aligned with the goals of the Accord.

This partnership particularly targets SDG 13: Climate Action. Out of the several public commitment we have made, the following specifically focus on collaboration:

• Commit to greater levels of collaboration with other stakeholders in international education to forge a coordinated approach to accelerate climate action.
• Collaborate to design policy options to incentivise and drive climate conscious practices across the sector. For example, through support or funding for think tanks, research, and other new or existing initiatives.
• Collaborate globally on data collection and surveys relating to climate action in international education.
• Commission and support research and data collection on the intersections of climate change, global education, and social justice.

Cross-sectoral dialogues about SDGs

NGO collaboration for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development Field Course

JSES partnered up with Parvat, an NGO working in Himachal Pradesh, to organise an educational winter camp on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh. The course is open to students from Jindal University from any discipline, with an interest in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and/or environmental protection. 

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand threats to biodiversity in Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
• To evaluate the impacts of development projects in the region on biodiversity and livelihoods.
• Appreciation of the intersectionality between local socio-political context, local and regional economies and the ecology and demographics of the regions
• Understanding the issues surrounding illegal cannabis cultivation in the region.

Editors’ Conference for legal and interdisciplinary publishing

JGLS  has cultivated a welcoming and collaborative research culture and community characterised by a commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship and the exchange of ideas across diverse fields. Our academic community thrives on the synergy between legal studies, social sciences, and humanities, which has positioned JGLS as a leading institution in advancing scholarly research. The First Edition of the JGLS Editors’ Conference 2024 featured esteemed speakers from the publishing world, offering their perspectives on the latest trends in writing and editing and providing a great platform for engaging discussions about the changing landscape of legal and interdisciplinary publishing.

Faculty engagement in cross-sectoral dialogues

Dr. Angel Selvaraj presented a paper on “Greener Healthcare Options for Persons with Disabilities: A Sustainable and Inclusive Approach” in the Two Day ICSSR sponsored National Conference on “The Global Business Behavioural Strategies for Sustainable Management Practices: ESG’S to SDG’s (GLOSSMAN – 2024) Organised by NIT, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. The same has been shared in the research bytes of JIBS Media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT3xJIdVyLE

Dr. Piyush Pranjal has been a part of international collaborative research publications covering different SDGs: 1) Shukla, K., Kaur, M., Mukherjee, M., Pranjal, P., & Sarkar, S. (2024). Conscious entrepreneurship: An authentic narrative for entrepreneurial ventures. In Compelling Storytelling Narratives for Sustainable Branding (pp. 92-115). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/conscious-entrepreneurship/350343 2) Singhal, V., Sethi, S., & Pranjal, P. (2024). AI, the new-age lawyer: Industry 5.0 and sustainable development in legal practice. In Powering Industry 5.0 and Sustainable Development Through Innovation (pp. 198-217). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/ai-the-new-age-lawyer/348224 3) Pranjal, P., Singhal, V., Sarkar, S., & Aggarwal, T. (2024). Mental health, SDGs, and spiritual care: A Call for legal advocacy. In Bridging Health, Environment, and Legalities: A Holistic Approach (pp. 182-204). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/mental-health-sdgs-and-spiritual-care/338121

Prof. Max Steuer attended the Indian Social Science Association Annual Conference, organised by the Institute of Human Development, Delhi 25.-27.10.2024, as a paper presenter and discussant.

Prof. Siddharth Kanojia: Participated in International Symposium of Law and Maldives: Navigating Geopolitics, Trade and Sovereignty held in Male, Maldives in December 2023. He presented a paper on Climate Change and Impact of Paris Agreement in Maldives. https://www.villacollege.edu.mv/news/villa-college-hosts-international-symposium-on-law-and-global-affairs

Dr. Debendra Sahu attended and presented a paper in Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) Annual Meeting 2024 on “Global Governance and Sustainable Development revitalising research to support multilateral solutions. https://acuns.org/events/acuns-annual-meeting-2024/, https://mcusercontent.com/15eedde91a76e82b3f3b55931/files/e5c09458-9d91-164b-9098-471e5665a235/Final_Program_AM_2024_3.03.pdf

Dr. Ashish Aman received an ICSSR-funded project, titled “Including environmental sanitation in sanitation Programmes: Evidence from Swachh Bharat MissionIn Select Areas of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.” as co-PI.

Mary Sabina Peters attended a workshop organised by Chanakya National Law University on “Intellectual Property Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals: Building Our Common Future with Innovation & Creativity”

Vandana Gyanchandani attended the CTIL Conference on Fostering Regional and Resilient Trade by IIFT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GOI.

Prof. Aditi was a Guest Panellist in a panel discussion on Delimitation organised by NALSAR University, Hyderabad and Vidhi Centre (October 2024). Accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyyUFwpnPmE

Samanvi Narang attended the Symposium on International Law and Maldives Navigating Geopolitics, Trade and Sovereignty (20-21 December 2023) Villa College, Maldives. The sub-themes of the conference focused on several SDGs. The research work presented by her was titled ‘Maldivian Paradox for Climate Change: Balancing Sovereignty and International Trade Law’ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/villacollege_studyatvc-maldives-villacollege-activity-7143186222029430784–_Tu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

Dr. Saagar Tewari was invited to speak to a team of youth leaders working at an NGO called IYRC [Ideal Youth for Revolutionary Change] based in the Kapasheda area of Delhi.

Dr. Mousumi Mukherjee was one of the organising committee member of the the World Universities Summit 2024 on the theme- “Universities of the Future: A Global Partnership For Social Justice and Sustainable Development”| 19th – 21st February , 2024 organised by O.P. Jindal Global University: https://iihed.edu.in/wus2024-old/ https://jgu.edu.in/jgu-holds-fourth-world-universities-summit/

G20 Universities Impact Summit- Implementing SDGs and Beyond

JGU, in collaboration with Association of Indian Universities and the Times Higher Education of the United Kingdom, organised ‘The G20 Universities Impact Summit: Implementing SDGs and Beyond’ on August 23 in New Delhi. The conference saw academics, policymakers and thought leaders deliberating on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their implementation and impact in the higher education sector. This Summit was a precursor to the G20 summit held in September in New Delhi.

The inaugural address for the G20 Universities Impact Summit was given by Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State for Education, Government of India, in which he highlighted the significance given to SDGs in India’s National Education Policy. He also released the Times Higher Education Report, ‘Higher Education’s Role in Advancing the SDGs in the G20: Progress and Opportunities’, in India and was joined by Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer, and Duncan Ross, Chief Data Officer, Times Higher Education, United Kingdom.

Sustainability Literacy with Sulitest

JGU is the first Indian university to launch TASK by Sulitest: A cutting-edge sustainability literacy certification in line with the UN SDGs

The Sustainability Literacy Test, known as Sulitest in short, was recognized as one of the first initiatives presented at the UN Partnerships for Sustainable Development Goals; and in 2017, recognized as a contributor to the revision of the UN 2030 Agenda at the High Level Political Forum (HLPF). Suliest has been declared the “TOEFL for Sustainable Development” as it allows students to understand and demonstrate their knowledge of sustainability with an internationally recognised certification.

The Sulitest aims to develop the knowledge and skills in sustainable development of all current and future economic and political decision-makers, to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the major challenges of the 21st century and of their responsibility in addressing them. By participating, students at JSES will not only be showcasing their commitment to sustainable education but also benchmarking their knowledge against global standards.

With the launch of The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge (or TASK) – the first international certificate of sustainability knowledge – in 2023, Sulitest aimed to create a lever for systemic change that will make the understanding of sustainability a common language for all. The scope of TASK is informed by Sulitest’s model of sustainability knowledge, in which it is stated that all individuals should know and understand the planetary boundaries (earth system), the main foundations of human welfare, and the multiple interlinkages existing between these dimensions.

By design, TASK aims to be consistent with existing frameworks in the field of education for sustainability, such as the UNESCO SDG education learning objectives, the European GreenComp sustainability competency framework or the reference framework of the report led by Jean Jouzel for the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation “Raising Awareness and Training for the Challenges of the Ecological Transition in Higher Education”. The Stockholm Institute’s Planetary Boundaries, as well as Kate Raworth’s “Doughnut Economics” model also serve as key references for the assessment’s knowledge model.

TASK pilot launch with JSES

We launched our first assessment session with the Jindal School of Environment and Sustainability to offer the TASK (The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge) by Sulitest across three batches. Students from the first and second years appeared in the test as per mandatory requirement for the course on Energy & Environment, Planetary Boundaries and Sustainable Development Goals taught by Professor Dr. Abhiroop Chowdhury.  We also opened the opportunity for other interested students on a voluntary basis. The strongest domain stood out to be Governance, while the strongest topic under any domain emerged to be Infrastructure, Planning, and Natural Resource Management.

SDG Progress Reports

View SDG 2 Report

View SDG 3 Report

View SDG 4 Report

View SDG 5 Report

View SDG 6 Report

View SDG 7 Report

View SDG 8 Report

View SDG 10 Report

View SDG 11 Report

View SDG 12 Report

View SDG 13 Report

View SDG 16 Report

View SDG 17 Report

NGO collaborations for the SDGs

We believe in the power of collaboration. We actively seek partnerships with local organisations, NGOs, and community groups to maximise our impact. Through these partnerships, we develop sustainable projects and initiatives that address community needs and create long-lasting change. We encourage students to actively participate in these partnerships, bringing their unique perspectives and skills to contribute to the development of innovative solutions.

Memorandum of Understanding signed with HME Waste Management

According to a UN report, India is the world’s fifth largest producer of e-waste, discarding almost 1.7 million tonnes of e-waste in 2014. Almost 95% of the e-waste it produces is either burned or dumped in landfills. With rapid urbanisation, this will only multiply—as will the number of people handling it at considerable risk to their health. Managing waste, ensuring sustainable consumption and a healthy environment, and ensuring just and safe working conditions for waste pickers are urgent challenges. [Source: UNFCCC]

The Office of Sustainability team, in collaboration with student group GAIA, held a 2 day e-waste collection drive to spread awareness on the importance of proper disposal of electronic waste. We have installed two permanent collection points in the campus where people can dispose of their electronic waste, which can then be sent to the authorised e-waste management company we have partnered with. 

Memorandum of Understanding signed with Mahadevi Library

Mahadevi Library works under Mahadevi charitable trust which means “literary changes lives” It provides a platform for children who are not able to continue their education. The collaboration aims to provide a way to donate garments, books and other basic necessities to those in need. 

Faculty-led NGO engagement 

NGO collaboration for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development Field Course

JSES partnered up with Parvat, an NGO working in Himachal Pradesh, to organise an educational winter camp on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh. The course is open to students from Jindal University from any discipline, with an interest in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and/or environmental protection. 

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand threats to biodiversity in Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
• To evaluate the impacts of development projects in the region on biodiversity and livelihoods.
• Appreciation of the intersectionality between local socio-political context, local and regional economies and the ecology and demographics of the regions
• Understanding the issues surrounding illegal cannabis cultivation in the region.

Dr. Shambhavi Agrawal: As part of her elective “Building Social Changemakers” mentored students to engage with NGOs and other social impact ventures. She engaged with Solidarities, IDEAS at JGU to help in community outreach and research. 

Dr. Anindita Jaiswal Jaishiv was a part of the WeVow Foundation as advisor on Diversity and Inclusion.

Dr. Saagar Tewari was invited to speak to a team of youth leaders working at an NGO called IYRC [Ideal Youth for Revolutionary Change] based in the Kapasheda area of Delhi.