Nibeditaa Speaks
Eco-education is not a trend—it’s tomorrow.
As the world’s increasing climate problems loom in the horizon, students are gearing up for green careers—and colleges are in a frantic race to catch up, says climate journalist Nibedita Speaks
As the green economy transition begins globally, universities are rising to equip the next generations with the skills and expertise required to create an environmentally sustainable world. From the best global universities to India’s leading R&D centers, education based on sustainability is not a niche anymore—it’s a necessity.
It is very visible in India. Being one of the world’s growth economies with an enormous population of youths, it is positioning itself as a global leader in green jobs and sustainable innovation. Its hallmark economic sectors such as automobiles, energy, manufacturing, tech, and agriculture are also transforming into low-carbon models and need corresponding skills to bridge the gap.
“India can generate nearly 35 million green jobs by 2047,” is the opinion of Ankit Tulsyan, Director – Government & Public Sector, EY LLP, and TERI School of Advanced Studies alumnus. “Majority of this will be led by sectors like energy, technology, and agriculture in a strategic manner. Universities have to get ready in no time.”
Institutions such as the TERI School of Advanced Studies, the IITs, and the IIMs are at the forefront with inter-disciplinary courses that combine environmental science, policy, business, and technology. These courses prepare students not only for job placement, but leadership in creating a sustainable world economy.
Scholarship, according to experts, needs to be agile and industry-focused. The phenomenon of ecologically friendly solutions across the world’s supply chain is nudging companies to seek graduates with practical, solution-based education in sustainability. It is this intersection of learning, innovation, and industry imperatives that is redrawing the map of being career-fit in the 21st century.
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