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How are colleges adapting their curriculum to include sustainability and green energy themes?
Colleges are embedding sustainability across disciplines rather than treating it as a standalone subject. Engineering programs focus on renewable energy and smart grids, business schools emphasize ESG and sustainable finance, and social sciences integrate climate justice and policy. Many institutions use experiential learning by involving students in community projects. For instance, IIT Madras has introduced a dual-degree program in Energy Systems where students work directly on renewable technologies and storage solutions. Similarly, campuses are becoming living laboratories with solar rooftops, rainwater harvesting, and waste-to-energy plants double as teaching tools. These changes teach students that sustainability is not just about technology but about cultivating responsible, future-oriented mindsets. By integrating it into core learning, colleges prepare graduates to tackle climate challenges in diverse careers.
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How important are collaborations with industry or government in keeping courses relevant?
Industry and government collaborations keep sustainability education aligned with real-world developments. The rapid evolution of renewable energy, ESG standards, and climate policy demands practical exposure. For example, TERI School of Advanced Studies partners with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and companies like Tata Power to provide students hands-on projects in solar, wind, and energy efficiency. Such collaborations bring internships, research funding, and access to cutting-edge tools like carbon accounting platforms. They also expose students to regulatory frameworks and large-scale sustainability programs. Without these linkages, education risks being outdated; with them, it becomes dynamic and actionable. Students not only learn theory but also co-develop real-world solutions that impact industries, communities, and government projects, preparing them for careers where climate literacy and technical agility are non-negotiable.
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How do you see the role of sustainability education evolving in the next decade?
In the next decade, sustainability education will evolve from an elective interest to a mainstream expectation across industries. Employers will demand graduates skilled in carbon management, sustainable finance, and circular economy models. The learning will also be increasingly interdisciplinary. For instance, Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability already integrates science, economics, and policy while working with city governments on climate adaptation. Similar models will spread globally, using AI simulations, virtual labs, and real-time data to train students in practical problem-solving. The focus will not only be on technical skills but also on values such as empathy and stewardship. Universities will act as innovation hubs, helping communities transition to greener models through entrepreneurship and applied research. In short, education will shift from “awareness” to “action,” shaping graduates who don’t just adapt to sustainability trends but actively drive them in industry, governance, and society.
