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.
At the Jindal School of Environment and Sustainability (JSES), Sulitest’s TASK – The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge has been successfully integrated into the core classroom experience. As part of their curriculum, students enrolled in courses such as Energy & Environment, Planetary Boundaries, and Sustainable Development Goals, taught by Professor Dr. Abhiroop Chowdhury, undertake the TASK assessment as a mandatory component. This initiative, launched last year across three batches of first- and second-year students, reflects our commitment to building foundational sustainability literacy among future leaders. Notably, the strongest domain among the results was Governance, while Infrastructure, Planning, and Natural Resource Management stood out as the most well-understood topic across participants.
Access to sustainability literacy assessment for all disciplines
Building on the success within JSES, we are pleased to extend the opportunity to take the Sulitest to students from other schools within the university. Sustainability is a cross-cutting theme, and the TASK assessment is designed to be inclusive and accessible to students of all academic backgrounds. Whether from law, business, public policy, or liberal arts, any student interested in understanding global sustainability challenges is welcome to participate and benchmark their knowledge through this globally recognized tool.
In our effort to promote a whole-institution approach to sustainability education, the Sulitest is now also open to academic faculty and administrative staff. We recognize that sustainability is a shared responsibility, and empowering all members of our university community with relevant knowledge is a critical step toward institutional transformation. Faculty and staff are encouraged to take the TASK assessment, reflect on the results, and explore how sustainability principles can be better embedded into their professional roles and departmental practices.
