Campus Times|Lucknow

On February 11, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) hosted a special lecture titled “BBAU Moving Towards Sustainable Development” under its Eminent Lecture Series. The program was presided over by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, with Prof. Naveen Kumar Arora, Chairperson of the SDG Committee, as the chief speaker. Prof. Sunita Mishra and Prof. Shilpi Verma, Chairperson of the Eminent Lecture Series Committee, were also present on stage.

VC on Education and SDGs

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal emphasized that education is a key driver of social and economic development. He highlighted the university’s efforts to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its curriculum to prepare students as leaders capable of driving positive societal change. Referring to NEP 2020, he stressed that universities must focus on practical knowledge and skill development, not merely degree awarding.

Prof. Mittal said achieving the vision of a “Developed India 2047” requires quadrupling the economy, supported by equitable systems, livelihoods, industrialization, entrepreneurship, and environmental protection. He encouraged researchers to undertake socially and economically relevant projects and urged teachers and students to participate actively in SDG initiatives. The Vice-Chancellor also announced that students excelling in SDG-related activities will be honored on April 14, the University Foundation Day.

Prof. Arora on SDGs and University Initiatives

Chief speaker Prof. Naveen Kumar Arora, Chairperson of BBAU’s SDG Committee, delivered a lecture on the evolution and global framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Tracing their journey from the 1972 Stockholm Conference to the Rio Earth Summit, Millennium Development Goals, Rio+20 Summit, and formal adoption, he highlighted the 17 goals, 169 targets, and 247 indicators, emphasizing the principle of “leaving no one behind.”

He stressed BBAU’s role in achieving SDGs through teaching, research, innovation, youth awareness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based evaluation. Sustainable development, he noted, rests on three pillars: economic growth, social equality, and environmental protection. Each department has been assigned specific SDGs to ensure coordinated efforts for a balanced and sustainable future. Prof. Arora also shared a roadmap for SDGs and examples from Kanpur, including Rasoolabad, where barren land was successfully transformed into fertile farmland.

BBAU Launches SDG Book

During the event, the Vice-Chancellor and dignitaries unveiled Prof. Arora’s book, “Sustainable Development Goals: Present Scenario and Future Prospectives.” The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Preeti Gupta and was attended by faculty heads, department chairs, teaching and non-teaching staff, researchers, and students from across the university.