How Shoolini Achieved UN Sustainability Goals?
“The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice,” as stated by United Nations.
UN Sustainability goals were launched and adopted in September 2015 by all 193 UN member states.
To eradicate poverty, safeguard our planet, and guarantee prosperity for all, India has adopted an ambitious agenda known as the Sustainable Development Goals. It believes the education system has a significant role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. For this reason, universities play a crucial part in achieving the SDGs due to the breadth and depth of their impactful work.
Acknowledging that, education, research, and community engagement at the No.1 Private University (THE Rankings 2023) Shoolini University are all vital in bringing about the personal and social transformation necessary to achieve a sustainable future. Shoolini University has been ranked №2 in the world in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Affordable and Clean Energy and 6th in the Water Usage and Care category by Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022.
Additionally, the University aspires to serve as a role model for other universities in the adoption of sustainable development pedagogies and curricula. We are amongst the first few universities in India to implement a choice-based credit system and have made open electives mandatory for all UG students across the university.
The research policy of the university also focuses on the sustainable development of the Himalayan Region. By framing research around the SDGs, Shoolini aims to create a sustainable future.
Furthermore, the University collaborates with regional and international organisations to promote sustainability and the SDGs. Shoolini University provides practical solutions for sustainable development by engaging directly with social entrepreneurs, employers, and the industry.
Let’s learn how Shoolini achieved these sustainability goals through careful planning and community engagement.
Shoolini University initiatives for achieving SDGs
Shoolini University encourages its students to engage in a variety of SDG-related activities and motivates its students to become future leaders in the quest to achieve sustainable development goals.
Leading-edge Research
A lot of research is going on at Shoolini University about SDGs like water, sanitation and hygiene, affordable and clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure, life below water, life on land, climate action, responsible consumption, and production, etc. The faculty members have secured competitive research grants from regional, national, and international funding agencies to work on some of the most important research areas.
Collaboration with NGOs AND Government Organisations for SDGs
Shoolini University is actively engaged with several government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at both national and sub-national levels to formulate policies and strategies related to factors like environmental protection, health and hygiene, and education for the masses are some of the factors that count for nation-building.
The University regularly conducts activities with YouweCan, Care n Share, Healing Himalayas, Mahadevi Charitable Trust, Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, and the Red Cross Society.
Community Learning
Teaching sessions are organised by students and professors of Shoolini University for students in the nearby rural area to promote their education in all possible aspects.
Environmental Initiatives
Shoolini students take part in and initiate environmental projects to safeguard the Himalayan ecosystem. Regularly, they plant trees and plants on the campus and even geo-tag them for visitors to promote a healthy and pleasing environment.
River Cleaning
Shoolini contributes responsibly to the ecosystem of the Himalayas as a dutiful member of the environment. We, therefore, conduct cleanliness drives around the valleys and rivers of the state to preserve its ecological sanctity.
Social Drives
Shoolinians regularly organise charity events with reputable NGOs like Goonj and YouWeCan. The university initiates to increase awareness of cancer and organises donation drives, garbage collection, and more.
Community Support
The University frequently gather as a community to promote and collect donations for various causes. It regularly provides supplies to crisis-prone areas and provides blankets for the pricking winters in Himachal.
Infrastructure Support
The university has established a library in a nearby school using the resources made available by the charitable students, staff, and faculty in our community. Now, local kids can get hold of valuable knowledge from books.
Health & Well-being
Himachal Pradesh-based university runs a range of programs for the benefit of its students and the community. The university is actively involved in raising awareness of drug misuse, and cancer, practising yoga, educating local underprivileged students, and increasing awareness. Many vulnerable children in and around the state have benefited from this.
The institution organises yoga retreats as part of its proactive contribution to a better environment. These have both directly and indirectly improved communities’ health outcomes.
To advance national and international health and to improve health and well-being outcomes, the university collaborates with renowned universities and institutions. Some of the partnerships are also there with healthcare organisations.
Energy Efficiency
Shoolini University is devoted to a cutting-edge and efficient energy policy. For this, all buildings are updated, planned, and built using energy-efficient, passive solar, and environmentally friendly technologies. Measures on green campuses, plantations, and waste management, including wastewater treatment and recycling, are carried out under a relevant environment policy, which is also in operation.
The university has built energy-efficient two-story mud and wood houses at Yogananda Ville using conventional eco-friendly materials rather than cement, concrete, or steel. This provides warmth in the winter and stays cool in the summer.
The Centre of Excellence in Energy Science and Technology has been established on the campus to carry out the Energy and Environment policies and provide top-notch instruction, research, and technology development in the fields of energy, environment, and climate change.
CSR Initiatives
Shoolini University engages in a variety of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs as part of its efforts to give back to the community. Through various programs and activities, the university aims to create a society that is safer, cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable. The university takes part in initiatives for SDG policy creation on regional, national, and worldwide forums.
Inclusivity (Gender Equality)
Shoolini University is fully committed to preventing and addressing all forms of gender discrimination. The administration is actively working to achieve gender parity for university employees and students from all walks of life. This will also help women reach their full potential, grow, and succeed.
This top philanthropic university has implemented several policies and protections to help women progress in all areas of life.
The goal is to develop an inclusive learning environment and opportunities for all genders where their rights are acknowledged and upheld.
Now more than ever, sustainability is essential to human existence. Sustainable practices should be adopted by all to forestall social unrest, economic collapse, and environmental degradation. Institutions and organisations should make sustainability the cornerstone of their growth and future strategies for their survival.
Quality higher education is a powerful tool for helping individuals and entire communities break free of cycles of poverty. For this reason, Shoolini University is making quality higher education opportunities available to all individuals at a price that they can afford.
