Report on the 55th Annual Convocation of PJTSAU: A Focus on Sustainable Development Goals

1. Event Overview and Strategic Context

Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTSAU) hosted its 55th Annual Convocation, celebrating the academic achievements of 844 graduates. The ceremony highlighted the university’s commitment to addressing global challenges through innovation and research, with a pronounced emphasis on integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its core mission.

2. Alignment with Key Sustainable Development Goals

The proceedings and keynote addresses underscored the university’s contributions to several critical SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The university’s focus on sustainable farming practices, the importance of local food systems, and the call for a “2nd Gene Bank for breeding tomorrow” directly support the global objective to end hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: By awarding degrees to 844 students, including 37 at the doctoral level, PJTSAU affirmed its role in developing quality human resources. The emphasis on research-driven solutions and ethical practices is central to providing inclusive and equitable quality education.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: A significant theme of the convocation was the stress on “gender and social inclusiveness” in research. This commitment was exemplified by the academic achievements of female students, with G. Bhargavi and Arshiya Tabassum winning a combined ten gold medals, demonstrating the empowerment of women in agricultural science and contributing to reduced inequalities.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure & SDG 13: Climate Action: The call to employ multi- and transdisciplinary approaches, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and big data in research directly aligns with fostering innovation. These tools are positioned as essential for developing solutions to pressing global issues like climate change.

3. Key Directives and Recommendations

Leadership from the university and guest dignitaries outlined a clear path forward, rooted in sustainable principles.

1. Prof Aldas Janaiah, in the University’s progress report, highlighted the need for graduates to lead with research-driven solutions to combat climate change and ensure food security.
2. Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, the Chief Guest, delivered a convocation address that stressed the importance of:
   • Multi- and transdisciplinary research methodologies.
   • Prioritizing gender and social inclusiveness in all academic and research activities.
   • Advancing agricultural science through the establishment of a new Gene Bank.
   • Integrating ICT and big data to enhance research and sustainable farming.

4. Summary of Academic Achievements

The convocation recognized the academic excellence of a diverse group of graduates.

• Total Degrees Awarded: 844
  • Undergraduate (UG): 619
  • Postgraduate (PG): 116
  • Doctoral (PhD): 37
• Awards for Excellence: 30 gold medals were presented to 20 meritorious students for outstanding academic performance in agriculture and allied disciplines.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article focuses on an agricultural university, directly mentioning “sustainable farming practices,” “food security,” the “local food system,” and a “Gene Bank,” all of which are central to ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The core subject of the article is a university’s convocation ceremony, celebrating the “academic accomplishments” of 844 graduates and the commitment to developing “quality human resources” in agricultural sciences.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article explicitly highlights the importance of “gender, and social inclusiveness” in research. It also showcases the academic excellence of female students, noting that G. Bhargavi and Arshiya Tabassum won multiple gold medals.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The text emphasizes the need for “innovation,” “research-driven solutions,” “multi- and Trans disciplinary approaches in research,” and the use of “ICT technologies and big data,” which are key components of building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article directly mentions “climate change” as a global challenge that the university’s graduates must address through “research-driven solutions,” linking education and research to climate action.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.4: “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices…” This is addressed through the university’s commitment to “sustainable farming practices” and the importance placed on the “local food system” to protect the environment.
  • Target 2.5: “By 2030, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals…” This is directly referenced by the mention of establishing the “2nd Gene Bank for breeding tomorrow.”

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • Target 4.3: “By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.” The article details the awarding of degrees to 844 graduates (UG, PG, and Doctoral), signifying the provision of and access to tertiary education.
  • Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” This is reflected in the statement that graduates must be equipped to tackle “global challenges like climate change and food security” with “research-driven solutions and ethical practices.”

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  • Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership…” The emphasis on “gender, and social inclusiveness” in research and the highlighting of female students winning the majority of top academic awards (G. Bhargavi with six and Arshiya Tabassum with four) points directly to promoting participation and recognizing excellence.
  • Target 5.b: “Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.” The call for inclusiveness combined with the push for “ICT technologies” implies a goal of ensuring these technologies benefit all, including women, in the agricultural sector.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities…” This is central to the article’s theme, with mentions of the university’s commitment to “innovation,” “research-driven solutions,” “ICT technologies and big data,” and “multi- and Trans disciplinary approaches in research.”

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.3: “Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.” The university is directly contributing to this target by educating graduates who are expected to “lead with research-driven solutions” to address the challenge of “climate change.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for SDG 2 Targets

  • For Target 2.4: The article implies progress through the university’s institutional commitment to and promotion of “sustainable farming practices” and the “local food system.” An indicator is the integration of these concepts into the curriculum and research programs.
  • For Target 2.5: A direct indicator is the establishment of the “2nd Gene Bank,” which is a tangible asset for conserving genetic diversity.

• Indicators for SDG 4 Targets

  • For Target 4.3: The article provides a direct quantitative indicator: the “total of 844 graduates, including 619 UG, 116 PG, and Doctoral degrees to 37 students.” This measures the output of the tertiary education system.
  • For Target 4.7: An implied indicator is the number of graduates equipped with knowledge on sustainable development, as the university’s progress report emphasizes preparing students to solve “global challenges like climate change and food security.”

• Indicators for SDG 5 Targets

  • For Target 5.5: A clear indicator is the “proportion of academic awards won by women,” as the article highlights that out of the students honored, two female students, G. Bhargavi and Arshiya Tabassum, won a significant number of gold medals (six and four, respectively).

• Indicators for SDG 9 Targets

  • For Target 9.5: Implied indicators include the number of research initiatives incorporating “ICT technologies and big data” and the university’s investment in “multi- and Trans disciplinary approaches in research” to foster innovation.

• Indicators for SDG 13 Targets

  • For Target 13.3: The primary indicator is the “number of graduates with expertise in climate change solutions,” which is a direct outcome of the university’s educational focus mentioned in the article.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thehansindia.com