Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has been a torchbearer in using education as a transformative tool for sustainable development. In 2023, the university significantly expanded its outreach programs to positively impact alumni, local residents, and marginalized communities, including displaced populations, through dedicated educational initiatives.
Date : January 20, 2023
During the Alumni Meet 2023 at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, the university’s Provost, led an inspiring session dedicated to Amrita’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiatives. Addressing over 700 alumni, Dr. Maneesha V Ramesh, Provost and Dr. Balakrishnan Sankar, Dean highlighted Amrita’s commitment to creating a sustainable and resilient future through its SDG-aligned educational and research programs. They emphasized the pivotal role of alumni in amplifying these efforts and shared various ways in which they could engage with and contribute to Amrita’s sustainability initiatives. This session served as a call to action, uniting alumni under a shared vision of global sustainability.
The alumni in attendance took part in a workshop designed to provide deeper insights into Amrita’s specific SDG initiatives, ranging from sustainable innovation and environmental conservation to community-focused projects that aim to uplift rural communities across India. During this session, Dr. Maneesha V Ramesh showcased success stories of SDG-driven projects and outlined practical steps alumni could take to contribute actively. Many alumni expressed enthusiasm to participate, finding ways to leverage their skills and networks to support Amrita’s mission of sustainable development and education.
By the end of the meet, alumni pledged their commitment to supporting Amrita’s initiatives, reinforcing the strength of the Amrita community in driving change. This collective commitment from such a diverse and experienced group underscored the power of dedicated alumni to extend the reach of SDG education and sustainability beyond the university, fostering impact in their own professional spheres and local communities.
The alumni are regularly provided updates on Amrita’s SDG related initiatives from an educational standpoint through newsletters etc.
April 29-30, 2023
The Civil 20 India Working Group on Sustainable and Resilient Communities, alongside the UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation and Development, organized multiple training sessions focused on Sustainable Development, Disaster Resilience, and Energy Literacy. These sessions were aimed at building SDG literacy and resilience among local community members from colleges, universities, and schools. With over 200 participants, these sessions not only provided essential knowledge but also awarded certificates to recognize the commitment of the attendees.
A notable two-day Disaster Resilience workshop was held in Sikkim, in collaboration with the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), International Consortium on Landslides (ICL), and the International Program on Landslides (IPL). This event drew 85 participants from institutions such as Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College, Deorali Govt Girls’ Senior Secondary School, and Tadong Senior Secondary School. The workshop focused on building civilian and community resilience, equipping participants with practical skills for disaster preparedness and response.
A Level I training session on Sustainable Development Concepts was conducted at Janata Bhavan Hall in Gangtok, engaging 34 teachers from local schools. Topics included SDG formulation, ecology, community sustainability assessments, and participatory methods like Participatory Rural Appraisal. The program introduced SREE (Sustainability and Resilience for Community Engagement and Empowerment), an indigenous platform for sustainability assessment, along with insights into NITI Aayog’s initiatives. Following this, Mrs. Ranjana Lama, an arts teacher, conducted an awareness session in her school, emphasizing the role of sustainable practices in daily life and fostering a culture of sustainability within her community.
Date : 5, 6 Nov, 2023
On World Tsunami Awareness Day, observed on November 5, 2023, the UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation and Development, along with the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), held a two-day awareness initiative in Alappad, Kerala—one of the communities heavily impacted by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. This program was part of UNESCO-IOC’s Tsunami Readiness Program and focused on community preparedness and resilience.
Educational activities were held across three schools in Alappad—Cheriazheekal HSS, Azheekal HS, and Sraykadu LP School—engaging 365 students in activities such as drawing competitions, scavenger hunts, and evacuation mapping exercises. These hands-on experiences encouraged awareness and preparedness, allowing students to creatively express and reinforce their understanding of tsunami risks.
In parallel, community-level programs gathered local residents for in-depth sessions on tsunami safety, culminating in an evacuation mapping exercise to educate the public on safe routes in case of a disaster. These outreach activities enabled both the student community and displaced residents to engage in practical preparedness training, bolstering their capability to respond effectively to potential tsunami threats. This initiative underscored the importance of dedicated outreach and collaboration to enhance disaster resilience and SDG awareness in vulnerable communities.
