The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, adopted by the United Nations in 2015 are 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

Universities are key to the adoption and fulfilment of these SDGs

• Learning and Teaching: Providing students with the knowledge, skills and motivation, in-depth academic or vocational expertise; providing accessible, affordable and inclusive education to all and empowering and mobilizing young people.
• Research: Providing the necessary knowledge, evidence-base, solutions, technologies, pathways and innovations, collaborating with innovative companies, improving diversity in research; and providing student training for sustainable development research.
• Organizational Governance, Culture and Operations: Implementing the principles of the SDGs through employment, finance, campus services, support services, facilities, procurement, human resources, and student administration.
• External Leadership: Strengthen public engagement and participation in addressing the SDGs; ensure higher education sector representation in national implementation.

NITI Aayog, Government of India has been playing a very important role in achieving the SDG Goals through its SDG Vertical. The SDG Vertical, in collaboration with Union Ministries and States/ UTs, is the nodal agency for coordinating and monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals.

The SATAT – Framework for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Campus development in Higher Educational Institutions which is part of the Quality Mandate developed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) is also playing an important role in achieving the SDG Goals. It encourages universities to adopt reflective policies and practices to enhance the environmental quality of the campus and to adopt sustainable and green methods in its future.

THE Impact Rankings – the only global indicators to assess universities’ progress towards the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), has ranked Amrita University, 1st in India and 81st in the world. It’s an acknowledgement of the University’s commitment to remain an exemplary institution that creates Global Impact on society through Compassion-Driven Research and Education for Life. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has been consistently awarded the number one rank in the Technical institution’s category in the Swachhta ranking released by the Union Human Resource Development Ministry, India. It’s an education that harmonises both, scientific knowledge and spiritual learning, to create a sustainable tomorrow for all.

Today universities and their researchers are ranked mainly based on the amount of funding they receive, the number of papers they publish and their intellectual caliber, but along with this, we should take into consideration how much we have been able to use research to serve the lowest and most vulnerable strata of society. In our approach to sustainable development, we should not forget that it is by strengthening the people at the base of the pyramid that the entire edifice of society grows healthy and strong.

Chancellor Amma
United Nations, New York, July 2015.