17.2.4 Collaboration for SDG best practice

Yes. KISS engages extensively in international collaborations and comparative research to develop and disseminate best practices on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Through academic, multilateral and industry-linked partnerships, KISS integrates global methodologies into local contexts, advancing SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 13, and 17.

1. AURORA Project (Erasmus+ EU Programme): The AURORA project is a three-year programme, curated to focus on the issues of inclusion, diversity and integration of socioeconomically disadvantaged participants. It is funded by the Erasmus + Programme of the European Union. It strives to create a programme for Curricula Reform in India and Nepal that will promote inclusive education through teacher training programmes at BA and MA levels by developing new courses in educational programmes, faculty and teacher workshops, student leadership training and student activities, democratic values and combat radicalism to be applied from early stages in the school.
   1. ERASMUS+ EU Programme: Capacity Building projects in the field of Higher Education (CBHE) https://university.kiss.ac.in/groups/aurora/
   2. Info-Day Programme of the AURORA Project: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-celebrates-info-day-programme-of-the-aurora-project/
   3. First Study Visit cum Consortium Meet: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kisss-aurora-team-participates-in-the-first-study-visit-cum-consortium-meet/
   4. Seventh Study Visit cum Consortium Meet under AURORA Project: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/kiss-du-hosts-the-seventh-study-visit-cum-consortium-meet-under-aurora-project/
   5. Fourth Study Visit cum Consortium Meeting hosted by University Babes-Bolyai, Cluj-Napoca, Romania: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/aurora-kiss-du-attends-the-fourth-study-visit-cum-consortium-meeting-hosted-by-university-babes-bolyai-cluj-napoca-romania/

2. KA171 Project: The KA 171 project funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union focuses on staff and student mobility, wherein the student can pursue his/ her studies in University of Malaga, Spain (partner institution) (SDG4) . https://university.kiss.ac.in/groups/erasmus-project-ka-171/ . The staff can undertake one week either teaching or training in the partner Institution. Another important component of the project is to learn about the best practices of the foreign HEI and implement it in home institutions.
3. TIGR2ESS (Transforming India’s Green Revolution by Research and Empowerment for Sustainable Food Supplies)
   Funded by the UK Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) and led by the University of Cambridge, TIGR2ESS strengthens research partnerships between UK and Indian institutions in sustainable agriculture and nutrition. KISS researchers work on food and nutrition security, particularly among tribal populations in Odisha, generating comparative insights on health, gender and ecological practices.
   Links: https://kiss.ac.in/tigr2ess/
   https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/projects/tigr2ess-transforming-indias-green-revolution-by-research-and-empowerment-for-sustainable-food-supplies
4. CHIRAG Project: A UKRI-funded initiative implemented in Odisha and Bihar, CHIRAG builds community-led models of food and nutrition security, gender equity and climate resilience. KISS leads data collection and evidence-based advocacy, hosting constituency roundtables to co-develop scalable policy models. Link: https://kiss.ac.in/project-chirag/
5. IBM Skills Build Initiative: KISS partnered with IBM to launch the Skills Build platform, providing students access to global digital education resources in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and employability skills. The initiative benchmarks international digital education standards, contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth). Link: https://university.kiss.ac.in/posts/ibm-skills-build-initiative/
6. Motorola and Lenovo Foundation Indigenous Language Digital Inclusion Project
   In partnership with Motorola and the Lenovo Foundation, KISS co-developed a digital inclusion project to preserve Indigenous languages, including creating a Kuvi-language keyboard for digital communication. This innovation represents global best practice in language preservation and digital inclusion.
   Links:
   https://www.crn.in/news/motorola-partners-lenovo-foundation-to-bring-alive-indigenous-languages-digital-inclusion-initiative/
   https://orissadiary.com/kuvi-language-writing-system-keyboard-developed-by-motorola-lenovo-foundation-in-association-with-kiss/
7. Capgemini Digital Academy: KISS collaborated with Capgemini to establish a Digital Academy for skill development and technology-based education for Indigenous youth. This partnership introduces global training methodologies and corporate best practices into community-based education.
   Link: https://kalingatv.com/odisha/kiss-partners-with-capgemini-to-launch-digital-academy-at-kiss-du/
   KISS-DU’s collaborations under Erasmus+, GCRF, UKRI, IBM, Motorola, Lenovo and Capgemini embody its role as a globally networked institution that reviews, tests and localizes comparative approaches to the SDGs. Through these projects, the university systematically develops evidence-based best practices in education, digital inclusion, gender equity, nutrition and sustainable livelihoods, positioning itself as a global model for inclusive and sustainable development.