UGC Advised Universities to Promote Water, Sanitation & Solid Waste as Career Options

In order to contribute to make surroundings even cleaner, the UGC has come up with suggestions and measures to be taken up by the universities on the basis of report submitted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Among the recommendations, the UGC has said that the universities should start skill development/diploma courses in technical departments with water, sanitation and solid waste as career options.

In the report , the ministry has further recommended to make amendments in the curricula of educational institutes and provide credit to students for their practical projects related to recycling and reusing of biodegradable and dry waste. UGC has also recommended involving bodies like National Service Scheme, National Cadet Corps, Nehru Yuvak Kendras, eco-clubs and such other organizations to the institutional framework. They should together participate in the government schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Ganga Rejuvenation, for a cleaner society.

The recommendation list also stated that UGC must issue directive to the colleges under its administration to recognize the first day of every week as Swachhta Diwas. The report is aimed to improve the living standards of people and reorient their habits and behavior to create a cleaner surrounding. In a growing economy and a wide gap between the income and lifestyle of people, this has become important to regulate the rampant pollution caused by people living the society. This would make the involvement of people strong with the cause and promise to provide sustainable and time-bound results.