India’s progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (quality education), will play a decisive role in shaping global sustainability outcomes. With the launch of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP2020), Indian universities are expected to lead a major transformation of the education system to expand access, improve quality and strengthen social impact. This interactive panel explores how universities across India are responding to these ambitions in practice. Drawing on perspectives from academia, industry and community partners, including initiatives led by Galgotias University, the discussion will examine innovations in learning, inclusive access, community engagement and curriculum reform. The session will also address the gap between ambition and implementation in a system operating at scale and explore how universities can move from compliance-driven initiatives to impact-oriented strategies for sustainable development.

Key questions 

• How can Indian universities accelerate progress towards SDG 4 at national scale?

• What practical models are emerging to connect universities with communities and industry for sustainable impact?

• How can institutions move beyond policy compliance to deliver measurable progress on the SDGs?