Home » Sustainable Development Goals » SDG17: Partnerships for the Goal » 17.4.2 Education for SDGs specific courses on sustainability

Education for SDGs specific courses on sustainability

Does your university as a body have dedicated courses (full degrees, or electives) that address sustainability and the SDGs?

Yes, KISS Deemed to be University as a body has dedicated courses (full degrees, or electives) that address sustainability and the SDGs.

  • The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University offers dedicated academic programmes and courses that directly address sustainability and the UN SDGs.
  • To name a few, The School of Tribal Resource Management offers full degree programmes such as M.A. in Economics, Geography with specialization in Tribal Resource Management, which focus on sustainable tribal development, natural resource management, and livelihood promotion.
  • Additionally, vocational degrees like the B.Voc in Natural Farming and B.Voc in Renewable Energy explicitly focus on sustainability sectors aligned with SDG 2(Zero Hunger), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
  • Environmental Education is taught across programmes, integrating sustainability principles into the curriculum. Moreover, courses such as ‘Indigenous Technologies of organic farming and Sustainable Fertilizers’ showing that sustainability education is embedded throughout the institution’s outcome-based learning framework.
  1. Gender related : – Women in Tribal Society; Family Life Education; Family, Marriage, and Kinship; Sociology of Gender; Law and Social Justice; Economic and Society; Human Growth and Development; Social Problem in India; Tribal Livelihood and Horticulture; Health and Nutritional Issues in Tribal Communities; Strategies for Economic Empowerment of Tribal Communities; Cell and Microbiology; Ecology and Wildlife, Culture, Language and Literature; Tribal Culture in India: Transition and Change; Social Philosophy; Major Issues in Indian Administration System; Nationalistic Movements in India; Socio-Cultural History of India; Management Practices and Organizational Behaviour; Legal Aspects of Business; CSR Ethics and Corporate Governance; Human Resource Planning and Development; Strategic Human Resource Management; and Tribal Sports, Nutrition and Health Management.
  2. Some of the Environment and Sustainability components echoed in the courses are as follows: Environmental Education; Environmental Sociology; Economic and Society; Ecology and Wildlife; Animal Physiology and Biochemistry; Ethno Medicinal System; Tribal Livelihood and Horticulture; Health and Nutritional Issues in Tribal Communities; Strategies for Economic Empowerment of Tribal Communities; Sustainable Utilization and Management of Tribal Resources; Fisheries and Aquaculture; Plant Anatomy; Tribal Eco-spiritualism; Natural Resource Management, Managerial Economics; Sustainable Tribal Development; Tribal Entrepreneurship Development; and Environmental Chemistry. Link to syllabi:
  3. Value Added Courses like Life Skills Education, Indigenous Technologies of Organic Farming, Disaster Management in the Tribal Regions, Tribal Performing Art and Saura Painting, Psycho-Social Development of Indigenous People, Adivasi Freedom Fighters and Cultural Heroes, Social Reforms through Education: Ideas of Gopabandhu Das, Madhusudan Das: Gender: Justice and Social Entrepreneurship, Radical Philosophy of Bhima Bhoi: Ideas and Issues, Enhancement of Active Citizenship and Democratic Values (under AURORA Project), Inclusive Education and Gender Equality (under AURORA Project), Countering Radicalization through Education (under AURORA Project) are also being offered. Link to Sample courses: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/4/folders/15SXEnm7MGrgyiKIvoufJdYPplni8H891
  • Together, these examples demonstrate that KISS-DU provides both full degree and elective courses dedicated to sustainability and SDG education, reinforcing its institutional commitment to holistic and socially relevant education for all students.

 

Some of the Courses offered along with the SDGs Aligned with :

Category School/Programme/Course Name Type (Degree/Value-Added/MOOC) Sustainability/SDG Description Relation to SDGs
Undergraduate B.Voc in Natural Farming Full Degree Programme Focuses on sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural livelihoods through organic methods SDG 2, SDG 12, SDG 15
B.Voc in Renewable Energy Full Degree Programme Prepares students for careers in clean energy systems and environmental sustainability SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 13
B.Voc in Entrepreneurship Development Full Degree Programme Builds entrepreneurial and financial skills to promote sustainable livelihoods among tribal youth SDG 1, SDG 8, SDG 10
Postgraduate/Research School of Tribal Resource Management (STRM) M.A./Ph.D. Studies sustainable resource utilization, community-based economy, and financial inclusion SDG 8, SDG 10, SDG 13
School of Indigenous Knowledge Science & Technology (SIKST) M.Sc. /Ph.D. Focuses on Indigenous technologies, environmental conservation, and sustainable innovation SDG 9, SDG 13, SDG 15
School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights (STLSTR) M.S. / Ph.D. Promotes equality, justice, and advocacy for tribal rights – directly addressing inequalities SDG 10, SDG 16
School of Comparative Indic Studies & Tribal Science (SCISTS) M.A. / Ph.D. Includes courses such as Sustainable Utilization and Management of Tribal Resources SDG 13, SDG 15
School of Comparative Tribal Languages & Literatures M.A./Ph.D. Promotes learning and research on Indigenous languages and takes major initiatives in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage SDG 4
School of Tribal Culture, Philosophy and Eco-Spiritualism M.A./Ph.D Focuses on indigenous knowledge through interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary mode in its M. Phil and Ph.D. programmes SDG 4, SDG 10
School of Tribal Heritage and Tribal Indology M.A./Ph.D It takes enough care to prevent possibilities of alienation of the students from their own culture and heritage while enabling them to participate in the mainstream development.  The curricular novelty is well reflected in the five innovative courses in Tribal Heritage and Tribal Indology comprising components like tribal art, handicraft, textile, the status of women, religious beliefs and practices. SDG 4, SDG 8
Community & Poverty-Alleviation Focused Courses Social Entrepreneurship, Soft Skills and Personality Development Credit/Skill Course Focuses on empowering tribal communities through self-employment, cooperatives, and micro-enterprises SDG 1, SDG 8, SDG 10
Rural and Tribal Development Studies Elective /Core Subject Examines rural development policies, poverty alleviation strategies, and inclusive growth SDG 1, SDG 10
Value-Added Courses (Electives) Indigenous Technologies of Organic Farming (VA-4113) 2-Credit Value Added Course Sustainable agriculture through traditional practices SDG 2, SDG 12, SDG 15
Disaster Management in the Tribal Regions (VA-4114) 2-Credit Value Added Course Builds community resilience against climate and economic shocks SDG 11, SDG 13
Life Skills Education Value Added Course Enhances social and emotional competence, reducing vulnerability to poverty and inequality SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 10
Financial Literacy and Inclusive Banking Value Added Course Introduces students to saving, budgeting, and inclusive finance concepts SDG 1, SDG 10
Vocational Training for Livelihoods (Tailoring, Handicrafts, Tribal Performing Art and Saura Painting) Practical / Extension Training Promotes income generation, especially among women and marginalized groups SDG 1, SDG 5, SDG 10
MOOC/Partnership SEEK – Social and Emotional Learning for Empathy & Kindness (UNESCO MGIEP) Online Course Fosters empathy and global citizenship for sustainable and equitable societies SDG 4.7, SDG 10

True to its motto of “Eradicating Poverty through Education” KISS-DU actively integrates the principles of sustainability, social responsibility, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across its academic curriculum, research, and community engagement. The university aligns its institutional mission with SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and other SDGs. Through its various schools, degree programmes, and value added courses, KISS-DU ensures that sustainability and Indigenous knowledge form the backbone of learning and research.

Relevant Link:

SDG Goal Dedicated Courses that addresses sustainability and the SDGs
5P’s

Partnership
  • Partnership with community based extra-ordinary talented persons (Professors of Practice) for cultural revitalization at KISS-DU and forging association with many national and international NGOs, corporates, foundations and universities.
5P’s

People
  • Imparting holistic multidisciplinary education and contributing to the process of self-reliance.
  • KISS-DU offers technical assistance for fostering inclusive learning environments and early childhood education through Mother Tongue Based Multi Lingual Education program.
No Poverty
  • Implementing academic interventions at KISS-DU to carry out research capacity building activities on indigenous livelihoods and sustainable food systems.
Health and Well-being
  • Set up a Center for Indigenous Knowledge on Herbal Medicines and Therapeutics for the introduction of cutting-edge subjects including the Ethno Medicinal System, Health and Nutritional Issues in Tribal Communities.
Quality Education
  • School of Comparative Tribal Languages and Literature, KISS-DU facilitates research and capacity-building initiatives for creating pedagogy and MTBMLE-based TLMs.
  • As an endeavor to protect, preserve and promote indigenous languages, KISS-DU has introduced language clubs, and established Centre for Indigenous languages and narratives.
  • Teacher Training for capacity building under the ERASMUS+ Programme.
  • Establishment of Tribal Advisory Council and inclusion of Professors of Practice and Professors Emeritus.
  • Introduced unique curriculum with a focus on tribal culture in seven innovative Schools.
Gender Equality
  • Institutionalized grievance redressal mechanisms for the prevention of sexual harassment include the Gender Sensitization Cell and the Internal Complaints Committee.
  • Value Added Courses with a gender component are being offered, such as Tribal Sports and Games, Life Skills Education, Soft Skills and Personality Development, Gender: Justice and Social Entrepreneurship, Gender Equality, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Social Philosophy, Self-Help and Happiness, and Social Reforms through Education.
Clean Water and Sanitation
  • YRC, Rangers & Rovers, and NSS units of KISS-DU are facilitating frequent
  • Swachh Bharat campaigns and biennial sanitation drives in tribal areas, in addition to regular awareness efforts on proper hand-washing, mask wearing, and sanitation procedures throughout the Covid19 pandemic in local communities as a part of our outreach activities.
Affordable and Clean Energy
  • With the School of Indigenous Knowledge, Science, and Technology, KISS-DU supports research and seminars on using sustainable energy and lower carbon emissions.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Setting up of KISS-DU Innovation Cell – Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The Centre has Indigenous Innovation.
  • The curriculum includes modules on tribal entrepreneurship development, tribal economy and livelihood, and sustainable tribal development.
  • Implementation of Atma Nirbharsheel Janjati Yuva Udyamee (Self-Reliant Tribal Youth Entrepreneurship) initiative.
  • KISS-DU facilitates educational events and inititatives through the School of Comparative Indic Study and Tribal Science for the economic empowerment of tribal farming community.
Industry Innovation and Infrastructure
  • To conduct research activities in tribal studies from multi-disciplinary perspectives and to build up an ecosystem for incubation and startup ventures, KISS-DU established seven innovative centers under the purview of its Innovation Council.
Reduced Inequality
  • More than 50% of students at KISS-DU are female, and the organization places a special emphasis on hiring female staff members.
  • With Value-Added courses, seminars, and other academic initiatives combating racial prejudice, KISS-DU promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Innovative interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research and teaching on tribal legal studies and rights from anthropological, sociological, and social work perspectives.
  • Empowering tribal community through holistic multi-disciplinary education.
  • KISS-DU promotes institutional practices by setting up SC/ST Cell, Anti-Discrimination Cell.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • NSS, YRC and R&R units of KISS-DU carry out various extension activities in slums and community for peaceful coexistence of different groups and eleminating violence against weaker sections.
  • Establishment of Centre for Indigenous Cultural Heritage and Diversity and institutionalization of Working Committee for protection, preservation and promotion of tribal cultural diversity.
  • Institutionalized barrier-free access to persons with disabilities to all its facilities.
Responsible Consumption & Production
  • NSS, YRC, and Rangers & Rovers units of KISS-DU conduct a campaign to raise awareness of sustainable consumption through following indigenous way of living.
  • The School of Tribal Resource Management offers courses on the sustainable utilization and management of tribal resources.
Climate Change
  • Urban forestry has been promoted through the implementation of Miyawaki Afforestation initiative.
  • The courses on sustainability and the environment are included in the curricula: Environmental Sociology and Environmental Education are taught at the university.
Life below Water
  • The School of Comparative Indic Studies and Tribal Science now offer classes in fisheries and aquaculture.
  • Promoting indigenous practices to reduce contamination of marine eco system through academic intervention
Life on Land
  • KISS-DU incorporates courses on Ecology and Wildlife; Animal Physiology and Biochemistry; Ethno Medicinal System; Tribal Livelihood and Horticulture; Plant Anatomy.
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • School of Tribal Legal Studies and Tribal Rights, School of Tribal Culture, Philosophy, and Eco-Spiritualism jointly organize research projects and capacity-building initiatives
Partnership to achieve the goals
  • Domestic resource mobilization in the form of KISS-KISS-DU also forged partnerships with community-based extra-ordinary talented persons (Professors of Practice) for cultural revitalization. The university has inked MoUs and Collaborations with reputed national and international universities, institutes, UN agencies, Civil Society organizations, and centres to achieve the Goals.

Courses on Sustainability and SDGs