Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “Aligning higher education with the United Nations SDGs” which was published in the Hindu. Recently, the SDGs Report 2023 expressed slow progress on SDGs target achievement due to prolonged effects of COVID-19, the impacts of the climate crisis, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and a weak global economy. 

What are the key findings  of the SDGs Report 2023?

• Progress by Least Developed Countries (LDCs): The lack of progress towards the goals has been more pronounced in the LDCs.
• Progress by India: Despite having managed the crises of the global economy and succeeded in overcoming the pandemic challenges, India’s progress in achieving these goals is inappropriate.

What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

• Adoption: Also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
• Targets: These are a set of 17 goals with 169 targets that all 193 UN member states have agreed to try to achieve. 
• Need: SDGs are a matter of urgency, and actions by all countries are required to improve the standard of life and education, reduce inequality, and harness economic growth.

Higher Education in India: India’s Commitment to SDG4

• SDG4: It deals with access to quality education. 
• India’s Historical Value: India has a long-standing history of equitable and inclusive education.
• Role of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 towards SDG: NEP 2020 has been prepared in tune with most of the SDGs. 
  • Demand Changes: NEP 2020 calls for changes at all levels of education, and priority should be given to higher education as it accelerates social mobility, empowers people through creativity and critical thinking, and grants them employment skills.

How other SDGs are related to education?

• Data by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): As per OECD, higher education degree are more employable and earn an average of 54% more than those who only have completed senior secondary education. 
  • SDG1: A university-inclusive education better protects people against poverty.
  • SDG2: Better prevents people from hunger.
  • SDG3: Better education supports good health and well-being.
  • SDG5: Better education helps in promoting gender equality.
  • SDG8: Better provides them decent work, which in turn drives economic growth.
  • SDG10: Above all, it helps in reducing inequalities.
• Solution to Global Challenges: Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary systems of education produce multitalented people who can pursue research, and find innovative solutions to global challenges like:
  • SDG7: Affordable and clean energy.
  • SDG11: Sustainable cities and communities.
  • SDG13: Climate change and global warming as well as studying their impact on an economy and the earth.
• Achievement of Sustainable development in Practicality:  It is possible by taking following on a serious note:
  • SDG9: Innovative solutions and start-ups must be developed in collaboration with private companies. 
  • SDG12: Need to radically change the way we produce and consume.
  • SDG15: Introducing Value-Based Education (VBE) will help citizens become responsible towards self, society, and the planet and help our nation achieve “Life on Land”.

Also read: Parliamentary Standing Committee Report on New Education Policy

Higher Education in India: Steps need to be Taken

• Mapping Regularly: Need to take steps on NEP 2020 suggestion of mapping day-to-day operations of Indian higher education with SDGs. 
• Target-Oriented Education: To accelerate the progress towards achieving the 2030 agenda, stakeholders of higher education should be educated and oriented to achieve SDGs target. 
• Time to Collaborate: All higher educational institutions and universities in India should work together to gain targeted success.
• Need to Strengthen the Role of Universities: Universities need to take an active role in activities to adopt sustainability as a mantra and incorporate SDGs into their institutional strategies.
  • Universities should strengthen the research-teaching nexus in university education. 
• Integration for Achievement: Focus only on higher education is not enough as it cannot work in isolation; hence, it must be directly integrated with socio-economic development where each activity and transaction has meaningful and multiple impacts on SDGs.