Importance of sustainable development courses in India

Ever since we crossed the threshold of the third millennium, terms such as sustainable, resources, feasibility have built a stronghold in people's minds. We find people campaigning for the environment, taking up courses in sustainable development and lending support for the same on social media. But a constant, run-of-the-mill usage has watered down the leverage these words hold, as most know nothing about sustainability beyond its dictionary meaning.

In the last two decades, the world has seen numerous calamities, natural and man-made, that have evoked an urgent need for preservation in man. Let's try to understand the implications behind this idea and how it is going to change the face of the world in the near future.

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development is the theory by which organisations make the maximum use of available resources without causing any irreparable damage to the environment. As a principle, it should be economically convenient and morally precise as well. In practice though, scruples and the environment are sacrificed to profit. For the progress to be wholesome, it is important to key in various factors affecting it- economic, environmental and social.

The United Nations in 2015 had stated 17 Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs that are dedicated to converting this principle into practice by the 2030s. We have witnessed individuals fighting to bring this issue to the forefront and transforming into youth icons of today.

Why is it so important?

Why do we need to educate people to utilise the resources properly? For the same reason we do everything else- to survive. The cycle between man and his surroundings is an age-old chicken and egg story- take one out of the equation and the other simply ceases to exist.

The technology we have at our disposal today is cutting edge. The best method to achieve a suitable resolution is to employ the most extensive resource available- the boundless manpower of our nation. The programs run by various institutions aim to train people in transforming themselves from consumers to conscious patrons of their surroundings.

HOW?

Melting polar caps, species dying out, ozone holes, the appearance of various diseases- these are a few consequences of the misuse of nature at human hands. The goal is to put a halt to or at least slow down, this continuous exploitation. It is important to take on a holistic approach and guarantee that human needs are met without undermining the stability and integrity of the ecosystem. These courses on sustainability help assess emergent issues and long-term scenarios. They attempt to chart a prognosis for current situations and determine what steps can be taken to prevent things from falling apart entirely. The focus, through competent infrastructure and technology, lies on four cornerstones- Economy, Energy, Environment and Ethics. With talks of depleting fuel reserves, the crisis seems closer than ever. Sustainable development as an educational program is an effective way to approach these issues.

Who else, if not us?

The only way to ensure the survival of any race is to stabilize the ecosystem. Walter Savage Landor proclaimed, "There is nothing on earth divine except humanity." Hence, the responsibility falls upon our shoulders to assure an age of peace and harmony where we can live without exhausting the inheritance of our progeny. All good things take time, patience and effort. The condition we are in today shall require colossal efforts, but as a nation, we can trigger a significant shift in the critical times ahead.

WHERE (Alternate subtitle- About Us)

A renowned University organisation, Xavier University Bhubaneswar Institute leads the way in providing excellent sustainability development courses in India. As with all other programs, this program in sustainability intends to lead major changes in the upcoming years. The three-year graduate program is designed to cultivate the scientific temper of students. Any student with an adequate career record in matriculation and intermediate is welcome to be a part of this prestigious institute.

In keeping with the challenge of building a better corporate business and aiming to attain the goal of sustainable business and also facing the challenge of building a better Society with the aim of creating a Sustainable community, Xavier School of Sustainability, one of the constituent schools of Xavier University aims to equip students with values of Sustainability and how to manage Sustainability in creating a future world of the 21st century which deeply connects business and society.