Apeejay Stya University empowers educators with skills, knowledge to integrate SDGs into higher education frameworks

Apeejay Stya University, Gurugram, in collaboration with the UGC – Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC) and the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), launched the Online Refresher Course on “Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: Challenges and Advances”. The course was designed to provide educators with the skills and knowledge to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into higher education frameworks, addressing both the challenges and advances in achieving sustainability.

The inaugural session was graced by esteemed dignitaries and resource persons. The event commenced with a welcome by Emcee, Dr. Astha Mehta, Head of the Department, School of Legal Studies, Apeejay Stya University. Dr. Shatakshi Srivastava, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Refresher Course delivered a welcome address. The session was then addressed by  Prof. Shashikala Wanjari, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, NIEPA, emphasised the critical role that higher education plays in achieving SDGs and highlighted the need for innovative teaching strategies and curriculum reforms to support sustainability goals. Prof. Mona Khare, Director, MMTTC, underscored the importance of teacher training and continuous professional development in equipping educators to foster sustainable practices within academic institutions. Dr. Amit Gautam, Deputy Director, MMTTC, shared insights on the collaborative efforts of MMTTC and NIEPA to empower educators with the tools necessary to integrate SDGs into their teaching methodologies.

The inaugural session set an inspiring tone for the course, with participants from various academic backgrounds poised to explore new ways of aligning higher education with global sustainability goals. This initiative was a crucial step toward transforming the education sector into a powerful agent of change for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The esteemed speakers during the whole programme were: Prof.V.Venkata ramana, Professor, School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad; Dr Karpaga Kumarvel, Former Vice Chancellor, Central University of Tamil Nadu and Madurai Kamaraj University; Prof. Sudhanshu Bhushan, Professor, Department of Higher & Professional Education, NIEPA; Prof. Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Professor of Economics, University of Lucknow, Lucknow; Prof. Kumar Suresh, Professor; Department of Educational Administration, NIEPA; Prof Nisha Pandey, Director, Gujarat Institute of Development Research (GIDR), Ahmadabad, Gujarat; Prof. Seema Dhawan, Prof. Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, (A Central University) Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand; Prof. Pranati Panda, Professor, Department of School and Non formal Education, NIEPA; Prof M M Goel, Vice Chancellor, Starex University, Gurugram.

The esteemed list also included Prof. V P Joshith, Professor, Central University of Kerala; Prof K Biswal; Prof Vandana Saxena, CIE, University of Delhi, Delhi; Dr. Gyan Prakash, Professor and Head Department of Statistics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Prof. K. Srinivas Head of ICT & Project Management Unit of National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA); Prof Ujjwal Singh, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, Delhi; Dr Jitendra Nagpal, Senior Consultant Mental health, MoolChand Hospital New Delhi; Prof. Jignesh B. Patel; Registrar (I/c) & Professor; Education, Children’s Research University, Sector-20, Gandhinagar; Ms. Nikita Hira, Director (Healthcare) BORBHAG Strategic Advisory & Governance (BSAG); Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Ex IRS & Retired Partner, Deloitte India; Prof Arvind Mishra, Professor, ZHCES, SSS, JNU; Prof. Madhusudan J. V, Department of Education and Education Technology(DOEET), School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad Telangana; Prof. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist, Infomerics Ratings, Delhi; Dr Richa Sharma Deputy Director SCD Division (In-charge) Indian Council of Social Science Research (Ministry of Education New Delhi); Prof. Shireesh P Singh Professor in Education Central Institute of Educational Technology CIET NCERT) New Delhi.

The event was further presided over by Prof. S. Chandrashekhar, Professor, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research; Dr Anshu Srivastava, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Administration, NIEPA; Prof Arbind Kumar Jha, Professor, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi; Prof A K Singh, Professor & Head, Department of Education Policy, NIEPA; Prof. Kumar Suresh, Professor; Prof. Alok Saklani, Emeritus Professor, Swami Rama Himalayan University; Prof Vaibhav Jadhav, Director, School of Open and Distance Learning, Savitribai Phule Pune University; Prof Manoj Kumar  Saxena, Dean, CUH; Prof Aarti Srivastava, NIEPA; Prof. Virendra Kumar Vijay IREDA Chair Professor, Centre for Rural Development and Technology Indian Institute of Technology Delhi; Prof Kavita Shah, Vice Chancellor, Siddharth University, Kapilvastu; Dr Ravi Kumar Singh IFS, Conservator of Forests & Regional Director Varanasi Circle UP. Department of Environment Forest and Climate Change UP; Prof. Harsha Kharakwal, FRSC, Director, Amity Institute of Phytochemistry and Phytomedicine; Dr. Amit Gautam, Deputy Director, MMTTC, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi; Prof Pramod Kumar, Dean, Department of Teacher Education, School of Education, Central University of Haryana; Prof Rajani Ranjan Singh, CIE, DU; Father Xavier, Professor & Principal, St. Xavier College, Jaipur; Prof. Sheela Reddy, Professor & Head of the Department Central University of Andhra Pradesh; Dr. Deepa Kauts, Professor and Head, Department of Education and had been Dean Faculty of Education, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; Prof. Kaushal Kishore , Head, Department of Educational Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi and Prof Yukti Sharma, Central Institute of Education (CIE), University of Delhi

 In one of the sessions, Prof. Alok Saklani discussed “SDG applications in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)”. The session had explored the how and why of integrating sustainable practices into education, research, and campus operations. It highlighted strategies for fostering sustainability awareness by considering the case studies of various universities across the globe, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and addressing challenges like resource limitations. The session inspires actionable steps for aligning HEIs with global sustainability goals.

Prof. Jignesh B. Patel, Professor, Education, Children’s Research University, delved deeper into the nexus between education and sustainable development, exploring innovative practices and strategies to address the challenges and embrace the advances in the domain of education.

Prof. Patel intricately explored the Emerging research trends in education for advancing SDG 4 i.e. Ensuring Quality education for all and the steps which can be taken to achieve inclusive and equitable quality education. He also discussed various significant considerations for quality education, role of research in achieving quality education, integration of technology and emerging trends in education etc. He further enlightened the participants about innovative teaching methods, assessment strategies, data driven decision making, the benefits of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Digital textbooks, interdisciplinary curriculum design etc. At last the session was concluded around by Prof. Patel who gave valuable suggestions as to how educators and stakeholders in higher education can contribute meaningfully to achieving sustainable development goals.  The next in the league was delivered by Prof. Vandana Saxena, centered on the critical role of education in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She discussed  the Concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Diversity and Inclusion in ESD, Teachers as Researchers and Change Agents, Challenges and Opportunities in ESD and Educational Environments and Sustainability

There was another great session taken by Dr. Srivastava that focused on SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls—through a feminist perspective. She began by outlining the evolution of feminist theories and their relevance in shaping development policies, particularly in the context of education and social justice. Dr Anshu Srivastava, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Administration, NIEPA emphasised the importance of gender-responsive frameworks in higher education institutions and the role educators can play in advancing gender equality both inside and outside the classroom.  The session sparked lively discussions among participants, fostering a deeper understanding of how the feminist lens can contribute to the evaluation and realisation of SDG 5 within educational frameworks.

The session titled “Community Engagement and Social Responsibility” was delivered by Prof. Avinash Kumar Singh, Dean of Academic and Research at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) he discussed following vital areas Understanding Community ,Engagement Social Responsibility in Educational Institutions, Decentralised Educational Management, Evaluation of Education Programs and Schemes, Tribal Education and Alternative Schooling, Community and School Linkages the session was both inspiring and enlightening, offering participants valuable insights into the importance of community engagement and social responsibility. The session reinforced the need for collective efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape.

Prof. Kharakwal’s session provided valuable insights into the intersection of sustainable technologies and the SDGs. By addressing both technological advancements and the challenges hindering their widespread adoption, Prof. Kharakwal presented a roadmap for integrating these solutions into global sustainability efforts. The discussions emphasised that overcoming barriers and fostering collaboration are key to achieving long-term sustainability goals whereas Prof. Kauts’ session provided a comprehensive overview of the role of education in achieving the SDGs, stressing the importance of inclusive and innovative educational practices. By addressing the intersections of pedagogy, technology, mental wellbeing, and community engagement, she emphasised the need for a holistic approach to education that empowers individuals and promotes sustainable development for all. Further, Professor C. Sheela Reddy discussed the 2030 Agenda where government is crucial. She also talked about the role of sustainable materials and technologies in meeting the SDG Goals. Her life experiences and experiments such as vegetarian capsules and biodegradable plastic bottles were truly inspiring and exciting for the attendees. They were given a question/answer session where they could clarify their doubts about the topic. On the last day of the 15 day long refresher program faculty members attended an online quiz exam after that programme was concluded by a vote of thanks given by Dr.Shatakshi .