Private Universities in Himachal to become eco-institutes: Regulator

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 24

Private universities in the state will become eco-universities with zero carbon footprint by 2025 and the curriculum would be sustainability oriented with stress on green business and entrepreneurship, said Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission (HPPERC) chairman Maj Gen Atul Kaushik (Retd).

He said, “The managements of all 16 private universities in the state have been told to take eco-friendly measures both in terms of infrastructure development and syllabus. Inspection will be conducted after June 2022 to monitor the progress in this regard.”

The focus will be on horizontal construction in place of vertical, for spacious campuses with organic plantation on land used for landscaping and proper disposal of chemical or hazardous waste. The initiative will also contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, he maintained.

Another step to be taken to make Himachal a hub of quality education will be to make an association of universities in Himachal Pradesh for patenting, research, exchange of students and sharing of best practices, he said.

Meanwhile, a placement drive will be organised at Jaypee University under the aegis of the HPPERC on November 25 for the students of all 16 private universities in which 43 companies companies are slated to participate. As many as 300 students are expected to attend the placement drive.

Parameters

The parameters for eco-friendly universities include a complete ban on polythene, allowing only electric vehicles on the campuses, use of alternate sources of energy like solar and hydrogen, creating biomass from waste and re-circulation of water.

Inspection after June 2022

The managements of all 16 private universities in the state have been told to take eco-friendly measures both in terms of infrastructure development and syllabus. Inspection will be conducted after June 2022 to monitor the progress in this regard. — Maj Gen Atul Kaushik (Retd), chairman, HP pvt educational institutions regulatory commission