The concept and applications of Sustainable Development (SD) have gained global prominence since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992. However, the last decade of global financial crisis, climate change, and food security has made this concept more relevant and urgent. Both public and private sectors have been forced to critically review their strategies, policies and interventions to incorporate `sustainability’ as an integral and essential foundation for survival and growth. United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability 2012 has defined this concept as:
“Sustainable development is not a destination, but a dynamic process of adaptation, learning and action. It is about recognizing, understanding and acting on interconnections — above all those between the economy, society and the natural environment.”
The mainstream courses (both management and other modern social science subjects) clearly do not meet the rapidly emerging needs of Development sector and Sustainable Development in particular. However, promoting a new generation of development practitioners/managers who can respond to the diverse development challenges of the 21st century requires a bold new approach to development education. In this context, a report by International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice (ICESDP), 2007 identified a felt-need to fill managerial void in development sector – a new type of “generalist practitioner”, who has the capacity to “navigate across the intellectual and institutional silos of specialized disciplines to develop integrated policy solutions that are scientifically, politically and contextually grounded.” By now sustainability has become a mega trend and there is all around concern for advancing the agenda of sustainability. Most companies today have sustainability programs. They’re cutting carbon emissions, reducing waste, and otherwise enhancing operational efficiency. In order to embed this concept in the area of strategy, of the corporations and organizations, and translate them into practice, a need of trained professionals was expressed in various forums.
The new cadre of Development Managers will have a humane and environmentally conscious approach to the issues of development. They will be generalist professionals but well-trained across fields of management, environment,economics,health,and public policy, who can identify and act upon interrelated challenges and know how to draw from specialist expertise as needed.
Sustainable food Systems
The way of producing and consuming food that ultimately promotes the continuous well-being of ourselves and our planet
Energy and Environment
Here we address the tremendous environmental challenges ranging from climate change to conservation
Technologies for Rural Development
The goal of this program is to educate students about processes and technologies that can improve the lives of people in poor
Innovation and Implementation skills
Innovation is the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, unarticulated needs, or existing market needs
The institute has strong tie-up with around 50 international universities across the continents. The objective is to foster international scholarships, student exchange programme, business plan competition, conferences, and internships. The programme has exchanged students from several countries. During this year, ‘India Study program’ has also started; under which several foreign students have also joined the porgramme to have classroom training on sustainable development.
Students are engaged in developing small projects which can be used as small caselets for academic learning. The projects are designed on real problems of a particular domain or multiple domains which are directed to find models offering solution or convenience for achieveing end results.
The zeal to learn, understand and exchange ideas with experts helps students in formulating their perspectives towards different issues of sustainability. The students are nominated through a selection process in various seminars. The learnings based on practices and meeting people is a great experience for the students.
During the course of two years, the department offers various opportunities in collaboration with various development organizations in the area of CSR, Health, Education, and Energy to understand real life problems and are motivated and trained to find solutions.
In order to ensure placement for every deserving student, the institute has a separate wing, ‘The Directorate of Corporate & Industry Relations (CIR). The centre works closely with corporate houses, CSR firm, research and consultancy organisations, development and donor agencies. It provides a platform for students to explore avenues, and identify right opportunities for their career. Since inception, the programme is able to attract high attention of companies and development sector groups for various academic activities including field visits, internships, and final placements; national and international.