17.4.4 Sustainable Literacy

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University (KISS-DU) as a body measures the sustainability literacy of students through academic, co-curricular, and feedback based mechanism aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University, demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to sustainability and the UN SDGs, particularly through its educational philosophy of “Eradicating Poverty through Educational philosophy of “Eradicating Poverty through Education.”

A. Integration into Curriculum and Assessment

1. The University’s Book of Learning Outcomes explicitly lists “Environmental Awareness and Sustainability” as one of its Programme Outcomes (PO12), indicating that sustainability literacy is embedded as a core component of student learning. This objective emphasizes developing awareness about the environment, sustainability, and ecological perspectives among learners. https://university.kiss.ac.in/academics/book-of-learning-outcomes/
2. SDGs have been incorporated in the course curriculum since 2021-22. The university’s curricula, value-added courses, and community based practices, such as sustainable farming, renewable energy, and eco-spiritualism further strengthen its educational approach to sustainability. The KISS-DU effectively fosters sustainability awareness and practice through its teaching, research, and community engagement initiatives, aligning closely with multiple SDGs including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). KISS-DU follows an innovative mechanism by facilitating SDG sessions for school students through its students pursuing PG and PhD. Through this process it also assesses the sustainability knowledge of its students. KISS-DU intends to integrate dedicated sustainability literacy assessment tools to strengthen its role as a global model for inclusive, sustainability driven education.
3. The university has also integrated cross-cutting issues such as environment and sustainability into its curriculum (including regular, value-added and mooc courses).Sustainability concepts are embedded across academic programmes through the following courses:
   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: https://university.kiss.ac.in/docs/Criteria-1/1.3.1_Cross_Cutting_Issues/ALL%20GESH-2021-22.pdf
   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://university.kiss.ac.in/academics/value-added-courses/

• With the School of Indigenous Knowledge, Science, and Technology, KISS-DU supports research and seminars on using sustainable energy and lower carbon emissions.
• The School of Tribal Resource Management offers courses on the sustainable utilization and management of tribal resources.

Student understanding is evaluated through Mid Semester and End Semester examinations, Quizzes, Assignments and hand-on projects that measure sustainability awareness and applied competencies.

https://university.kiss.ac.in/docs/SDG_Reports/Subjects_SDGs.pdf

B.Student Feedback and Survey on Sustainability Literacy

The University conducts annual sustainability literacy and awareness surveys as part of Annual Student Feedback as well as Gender audit to assess the understanding of sustainability and the local challenges. The data collected is analysed and the observations and conclusions are used for preparing action taken reports. The analysis helps to identify knowledge gaps and the need to relevant courses, lectures, seminars, capacity-building programmes, seminars, student club activity or student-led campaigns. The scope for further improvement is implemented in the subsequent years.

C. Experiential and Community-based Learning

Students and Research Scholars undergo field study in their relevant regions as part of their curriculum and coursework respectively. Field reports, Student records and Ph.D thesis record their learning outcomes.

D. Student Clubs and SDG Literacy Drives

• The Aurora Club is a student organization that encourages in creating change-agents for the society who would work on areas of gender equality; active citizenship, democratic values and combatting radicalism. It hosts workshops, capacity building activities, awareness programmes, guest lectures, and hands-on projects, encouraging creative thinking, problem solving and collaborative learning among students.
• Social Responsibility and Community Service Clubs like Environment Club and Community Outreach, focusing on social responsibility and community engagement, encourages students to participate in volunteer work, awareness campaigns, and social service activities.
• NSS, YRC, and Rangers & Rovers units of KISS-DU conduct campaigns to raise awareness of sustainable consumption through following indigenous ways of living.

Participation and performance in these actives are well documented and contribute to the university’s evaluation of student sustainability engagement.

E. Outcome Measurement and Reporting

Sustainability literacy outcomes are reviewed annually through internal academic audits and reported in the University’s Annual Reports including SDG Report, Sustainability Report, Gender Audit and Green Audit. These reports analyze student participation, learning outcomes, and behavioural change metrics, ensuring that sustainability literacy remains an institutional performance indicator.