Best Practices

Joining Forces For a Sustainable Tomorrow: College's Commitment towards SDGs

 Objectives of the Practice

In keeping up with the Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations (2030 Agenda), the institute has made efforts towards creating environmental consciousness and promoting sustainability. The college aims at creating and adopting sustainability, conservation and efficient use of resources to achieve personal, family and societal goals. The college supports a holistic teaching-learning environment and acknowledges the significance of climate change, environmental preservation and sustainability in its programmes and courses.

The Context

The college has adopted the UN SDGs in its functioning, vision and mission. All the Departments of the college are committed in advocating and promoting the SDGs through their activities. The students focus upon research projects and initiatives that address SDG related challenges fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The college prepares the students as agents of change who further act as catalysts in helping spread awareness in local communities, organizations and governments to promote SDGs.

The Practice 

• All the departments provide training and education on sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, train youth to be empowered, focusing upon income generation. Our students are equipped with the necessary skill set to further become job providers rather than job seekers.

• The students of Department of Foods and Nutrition conduct research and develop innovative solutions for food processing, preservation and storage to reduce food waste and improve food security. They implement nutrition education programs to address malnutrition thereby alleviating zero hunger.

• The Department of Human Development and Department of Foods and Nutrition run a counseling cell (ASHA) and a diet clinic catering to masses as well as all stakeholders focusing upon good health and holistic well being.

• The college is committed towards providing quality education in Home Science to equip students with knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable development. All the courses and activities are aligned with capacity building to focus upon quality based education.

• All activities of the college are focused upon providing women a platform to work towards economic empowerment. Gender sensitization programs are conducted regularly with emphasis on women's health and education. Activities like Pink Turban Campaign help in spreading the message of gender equality.

• The NSS unit of the college works extensively in sync with the government's initiative of Swacchta Hi Seva. The students provide education through resource materials, rallies, demonstrations in rural and underprivileged area on sanitation, hygiene and waste management practices.

• Harita, the environment society of the college, sensitizes students to promote environment protection and conservation. Various environment days are celebrated and observed throughout the year. The college is a certified green campus with a green coverage, solar panels and use of energy efficient resources.

• The distinctiveness of the college lies in the fact that it stresses upon economic growth by providing training and education, enabling the students to emerge as skilled entrepreneurs. The college boasts of more than 500 start ups by its past and present students reflecting upon its commitment towards economic growth.

• The college conducts research and develops innovative solutions for sustainable development including technology transfer and knowledge sharing. Innovation lies at the stem of all activities including development of innovative food products, recipes, and clothing. Projects and assignments are regularly given to the students encouraging innovation.

• All initiatives of the college ensure social inclusion and equity. The NSS and NCC unit of the college work upon community engagement including sensitization on human rights, education, training and economic empowerment for marginalized communities.

• The Department of Family Resource Management teaches core subjects including sustainable buildings and their construction. Emphasis is laid upon green initiatives, buildings and sustainable resources. Projects and assignments are regularly given to the students to work upon sustainable practices such as using natural lighting and sustainable urban planning.

• Post graduate students of Clothing and Textile carry out research work on various traditional Indian arts and paintings and develop innovative products for the revival of these ancient arts as part of their dissertation work.

• The college focuses upon recycle and reuse, to reduce wastage and encourage responsible consumption and production. Products are developed using recycled denims, clothes and accessories to promote sustainability.

• The NCC unit of the college works extensively towards promoting sustainability by carrying out mass sensitization; book donation, woolen clothes donation drive to encourage proper utilization of resources.

Evidence of Success

The college took various sustainable initiatives as well as organized plethora of activities related to saving energy and water, Saying no to plastic, reducing E-waste and promoting Millet as a Wonder Grain. The research work carried out by the students was highlighted and published in journals of repute. The success of the college lies in the fact that the faculty lends its expertise to Chandigarh Administration as well as Haryana and Punjab governments for quality improvement in elementary school education, higher education and nutrition related programs and activities.  

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

Being a government institute, coordination and linkages with agencies for interdisciplinary research and activities is a cumbersome process. Lack of resources and manpower also acts as a hindrance.