Academic leaders and policymakers call for experiential, region-specific sustainability curriculum aligned with national quality standards and India’s ecological priorities
UPES, in collaboration with HESCO, organised a national-level expert workshop to design a practical and outcome-driven curriculum framework for environmental education across higher institutions. This significant step texpected to strengthen sustainability education in India
The workshop brought together academic leaders, sustainability practitioners and policymakers to move beyond theoretical awareness and reimagine environmental education as an interdisciplinary, application-focused competency.
Structured as a high-impact “build room” rather than a conventional seminar, the deliberations centred on equipping students with measurable skills aligned with India’s ecological realities and development priorities.
At the core of the discussions was the growing national imperative to balance economic growth with ecological resilience. As India accelerates its climate transition and sustainability commitments, participants emphasised the need for a nature-led, experiential curriculum.
The proposed framework advocates field immersion, real-world problem-solving and community-linked learning, enabling students to engage directly with regional challenges related to air, water, soil, forests and fragile ecosystems.
The programme opened with remarks by noted environmentalist Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, Founder of HESCO. Dr Sunil Rai, Vice-Chancellor of UPES, delivered the welcome address and outlined the university’s institutional commitment to sustainability.
The keynote address was delivered by Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), who highlighted the alignment of the workshop’s recommendations with evolving national quality frameworks and curriculum reforms.
The event saw participation from prominent figures across academia and sustainability leadership, including Dr Rajendra Shende, Founder Director of TERRE Foundation; Prof Naveen Kumar Nawani, Dean—Bio Sciences at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee; Dr Dharam Buddhi, Vice-Chancellor of Uttaranchal University; and Shri Kamal Ahuja, Principal of The Doon School, among others.
Deliberations underscored the importance of making environmental education a core, application-driven discipline embedded across academic programmes. Participants proposed region-specific learning pathways that reflect India’s ecological diversity—from the fragility of Himalayan ecosystems to urban air pollution and water scarcity challenges.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr Sunil Rai stated that UPES is actively integrating sustainability into campus operations, research and innovation. He noted plans to increase solar energy production on campus from 18 per cent to 30 per cent over the next three years, alongside efforts to promote waste reduction.
He added that nearly one-third of the university’s researchers are engaged in environmental sustainability projects, including plastic-to-fuel conversion, electric vehicle life enhancement, green fuels and grid optimisation. The university, in collaboration with HESCO and under the guidance of Dr Anil Prakash Joshi at HILL, is also focusing on pressing Himalayan concerns such as glacier melting linked to climate change.
Dr Anil D. Sahasrabudhe stressed that sustainability solutions must be rooted in local realities. He emphasised that regionally relevant innovations, when integrated into policy and curriculum design, can deliver long-term and meaningful impact.
The workshop concluded with a broad consensus that environmental education must evolve into a national capability—shaping professionals and citizens who can effectively balance development with ecological integrity.
UPES reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the framework through research priorities, campus practices and region-linked partnerships, continuing its collaboration with HESCO to address urgent environmental challenges in the Himalayan region.