We, at Sri Durga Malleswara Siddhartha Mahila Kalasala, are proud to announce the inauguration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Club on this momentous day, 26th November 2024. We also unveiled the club's logo, aptly named VIBHAVA, symbolizing a significant stride towards fostering awareness and action for global sustainability.

The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Prof. M.N.V. Prasad Garu, former Dean of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, who officially launched the club. He was joined by our Principal, Dr. S. Kalpana, Special Officer, Dr. R. Madhavi, Head of the Department of Zoology and Aquaculture, Dr. R. Ramani, and Head of the Department of Microbiology, Mrs.  N. Saritha.

Goals

1.      To ensure everyone understands SDGs and their importance.

2.      Create a dedicated group

3.      Evaluate the current sustainability status.

4.      Involving students in hands-on sustainability projects.

5.      Implement practical, sustainable changes

Objectives

1. To organize workshops and incorporate SDGs into orientation programs.
2. To establish a diverse team with clear roles and objectives.
3. To identify areas for improvement and share findings publicly.
4. To encourage student-led projects, hackathons, and competitions.
5. To implement waste management, energy conservation, and biodiversity initiatives.

Action Plans

1. Organize workshops, distribute materials, social media campaigns, and quizzes.
2. Form a diverse team, assign roles, and set clear objectives.
3. Conduct a comprehensive assessment, identify gaps, and share results.
4. Support student-led projects, organize hackathons, and create opportunities for hands-on involvement.
5. Implement waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, and green space initiatives.

6.      Organize events like fairs, cooking classes, and guest lectures.

7.      Collaborate with local NGOs, join global networks, and organize food bank drives and guest lectures.

By focusing on these goals, objectives, and action plans, colleges can significantly contribute to a more sustainable future.

Let's transform our college into a sustainable hub. By adopting a comprehensive approach and engaging all stakeholders—students, faculty, staff, and the community—we can effectively integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our campus.

1. Create Awareness and Education on SDGs

Goal: Ensure that everyone in the college community understands the SDGs and their importance.

Action Steps:

Ø  Organize workshops and seminars: Host workshops or webinars to introduce the SDGs, their relevance to students, and how they align with global sustainability efforts.

Ø  Distribute materials: Posters, brochures, websites on SDGs to keep the conversation ongoing.

Ø  Incorporate SDGs in orientation programs: Include SDGs as part of the freshman orientation to establish a strong foundation.

Ø  Poster Campaign: Design and display SDG-related posters and banners around the campus to highlight specific goals and actions students can take.

Ø  Social Media Campaign: Use college social media students can incorporate SDGs into their lives, using hashtags like #SDGsAtCollege or #SustainableCampus.

Ø  SDG Quiz or Trivia: Organize an interactive quiz where students answer questions related to SDGs and sustainability.

Create an SDG Task Force or Committee

Goal: Form a dedicated group to champion sustainability initiatives.

Action Steps:

Ø  Form a functional team: Include students, faculty, administration, and staff to ensure diverse perspectives.

Ø  Assign clear roles: Define roles within the committee

Ø  Set clear objectives: Develop short-term and long-term goals for implementing SDGs, with specific projects and initiatives outlined for each goal.

Sustainability Assessment

Goal: Understand the current status of sustainability on campus.

Action Steps:

Ø  Identify gaps: Highlight areas where improvements can be made to align more with the SDGs. Working on waste reduction, water conservation, energy usage and energy conservation.

Ø  Sustainable Fashion Show: Organize a fashion show where students showcase upcycled or eco-friendly clothing to raise awareness of responsible consumption

Share results: Publicly share the findings with the college community to raise awareness of areas requiring improvement.

Engage Students through Initiatives

Goal: Get students involved in hands-on projects that contribute to the SDGs.

Action Steps:

Ø  Student-led sustainability projects: Encourage student lead initiatives related to SDGs, such as reducing plastic use, improving waste segregation, or organizing clean-up drives.

Ø  Hackathons and competitions: Organize innovation challenges focused on solving sustainability issues, such as designing eco-friendly

Sustainable Campus Practices

Goal: Implement practical, sustainable changes to campus operations.

Action Steps:

Ø  Waste management system: Implement a comprehensive recycling program, composting, and reduce single-use plastic.

Ø  Energy efficiency: Maintain proper usage and avoid misuse.

Ø  Water conservation: Encourage the use of rainwater harvesting.

Ø  Green spaces and biodiversity: Increase green spaces, plant trees, and develop gardens to promote biodiversity and sustainable land use. Organize tree planting activities, create green spaces, or establish a campus garden where students can grow their own food, promoting SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Ø  Plastic-Free Campaign: Introduce a plastic-free initiative, where students pledge to avoid single-use plastics and use alternatives such as reusable bottles, bags, and utensils.

Sustainability Week or Month

Goal: Dedicate a specific period to focus on sustainability activities.

Activities:

Ø  Sustainability Fair: Organize a fair with booths from sustainability-focused student clubs, NGOs, and businesses promoting eco-friendly products, services, and initiatives.

Ø  Sustainable Cooking Classes: Offer cooking workshops that teach students how to make healthy, sustainable meals using locally-sourced ingredients.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Goal: Collaborate with local and global organizations to amplify the impact of sustainability efforts.

Action Steps:

Ø  Partner with local NGOs: Collaborate with local organizations and environmental groups to work on community-based sustainability projects (Tree plantation).

Ø  Global networks: Join global sustainability networks or initiatives (such as the UN Global Compact, Global Universities Partnership for Sustainable Development) to exchange best practices and stay updated on international sustainability trends.

Ø  Food Bank Drives: Organize food collection drives to reduce hunger (SDG 2: Zero Hunger) and redistribute unused food to local communities in need.

Ø  SDG-Related Guest Lectures: Invite experts in sustainability, renewable energy, or social entrepreneurship to give guest lectures or lead discussions on specific SDGs.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation

Goal: Track progress and ensure the sustainability efforts are having the desired impact.

Action Steps:

Ø  Establish key performance indicators (KPIs): Set SDG initiative, such as reduction in waste, energy consumption, or CO2 emissions.

Ø  Feedback loop: Solicit feedback from students, faculty, and staff on sustainability efforts to refine and improve future projects.

Ø  Publicize success: Share accomplishments in newsletters, social media, and college websites to motivate continued efforts and inspire other institutions.

Future goals:

Develop a Campus Sustainability Action Plan

Goal: Create a structured framework for long-term sustainability.

Action Steps:

Ø  Define long-term sustainability goals: Set clear goals for the next 5 to 10 years, such as becoming a carbon-neutral campus or achieving zero waste.

Ø  Secure funding: Identify funding opportunities from government grants, alumni donations, or private sector partnerships to support sustainability projects.

Monitor SDG progress: Establish a system for regular tracking and assessment of how the college is meeting its sustainability targets.