When in 2016, TERRE Policy Centre proposed the launch of Smart Campus Cloud Network, University Grant Commission (UGC) Chairman responded very positively and wrote to all the universities that:
"The (Smart Campus Cloud) Network is poised to facilitate dialogue and sharing of ideas amongst students and faculty as a way of making the maximum out of SDGs. Needless to say, this will be a significant contribution to the realization of Smart Cities and Smart India mission unveiled by the Hon'ble Prime Minister (Narendra Modi)".
UGC Chairman went on to inform Universities to request to put in place an effective mechanism for the implementation of the Smart Campus Cloud Network and also convey these instructions to all the colleges affiliated to your university"
On the occasion of World Environment Day 5th June 2021, UGC Chairman wrote in the published article of Times of India, " It is the prime duty of Indian universities to align their operation and educational priorities around relevant
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).'
In 2020, UGC proposed a sustainable campus framework to set out the principles for achieving a green and sustainable campus environment for Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
This framework, known as SATAT was developed with the help of eminent environmental experts (TERRE Policy Centre was honored to be part of these efforts) intends to help Indian HEIs achieve campus sustainability by providing overall directions and encourage HEIs to adopt policies and practices towards achieving SDGs and motivate them to include sustainability concepts in their curricula and research activities.
The framework is now available on the UGC website. Detail guidelines are available on TERRE/SCCN website (sccnhub.com).
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