The adoption of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has highlighted the critical role of education in achieving global equity, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a unique role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through teaching, research, community engagement, and institutional governance. This paper examines the role of higher education in promoting SDGs globally and in India, drawing on international reports, policy documents, and case-based evidence. The study is based on a systematic review of policy documents and scholarly literature, combined with a thematic analysis of global and national practices and systematic challenges across diverse institutional settings. Findings indicate that universities contribute significantly to curriculum innovation, sustainability research, societal development, the Green Campus Initiative, and community development projects. However, persistent challenges—including limited resources, inconsistent implementation, outdated teaching methods, and weak accountability—constrain their full potential. The analysis highlights that Indian higher education, guided by the National Education Policy (NEP, 2020), offers considerable scope to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda. To enhance effectiveness, strategic measures are recommended, such as embedding sustainability principles across curricula, fostering interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, institutionalizing community partnerships, strengthening governance and accountability mechanisms, and promoting collaboration at national and international levels. By adopting these approaches, HEIs can act as transformative agents, bridging local realities with global sustainability objectives and ensuring that higher education meaningfully contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.
Vipin Singh (Thu,) studied this question.