Best Practice -1

Title of the Best Practice: Green Campus

Objectives of the Practice:

1. To encourage students, faculties and larger campus community to be conscious of environmental issues and to take responsibility for sustainable environment.
2. To include sustainable techniques in campus, incorporating green ideas into a significant operation.
3. To reduce water usage by implementing water conservation measures into practice, such as rainwater harvesting.
4. To create green garden with focus on herbal and medicinal plants..
5. To encourage clean and healthy campus environment by supporting the cleanliness drive and contributing to national cleaning initiatives.
6. To host sustainability seminars and workshops and educate campus on environmental sustainability.

The Context

Shree Devi Institute of Technology (SDIT) is situated in a semi-urban area surrounded by lush greenery in Mangalore, India. The institution emphasizes environmental conservation and sustainability, given its expansive green campus. The local community, a mix of urban and rural residents, enriches the region’s cultural and ecological diversity. SDIT leverages this setting to promote environmental awareness, implement sustainable initiatives and engage stakeholders in fostering environmental responsibility. Actively participating in the cleanliness drive by organizing awareness campaigns and initiatives to promote hygiene and sanitation on campus and in the surrounding community, the Institution prioritizes maintaining a clean and healthy environment for its students, faculty, staff and the society. Our college campus offers a unique blend of a litter-free environment and fresh air, creating an ideal setting for students to concentrate on their academic pursuits.

The Practice

At Shree Devi Institute of Technology (SDIT), cultivating a culture of environmental awareness and sustainability is paramount. Through a comprehensive approach, SDIT strives to instill environmental consciousness and responsibility among students, faculties, staff, and society.

• Awareness Campaigns and Education: SDIT organizes campaigns, workshops, and events on environmental issues and sustainability, including street plays, slogan writing, talks on energy conservation, face painting, and celebrating Environmental Day. Activities like gifting saplings to guests instead of bouquets aim to enhance understanding and encourage proactive engagement in sustainability efforts.
• Sustainable Campus Practices: The Institution has gone green, using LED lighting and solar water heaters to reduce emissions and has made a significant step towards sustainability with a 136-kW solar power system.
• Water Conservation: Water conservation is a significant priority for SDIT. Rainwater collection reduces water consumption and encourages responsible water management, lowering dependency on limited resources and improving environmental sustainability.
• Waste Management: Effective waste management is critical to a sustainable environment. An encouraging picture on the notice board encourages students to keep the area clean. Students dispose the E-waste in the allotted room, which promotes responsibility and keeps the area organized.
• Segregation of Wastes: SDIT has placed separate bins for dry and wet waste across the campus.
• Sewage Treatment Plant: Waste water from toilets, sinks, and other sources is channelled through pipelines into an underground sewage system.
• E-Waste: Additionally, an MOU with Moogambigai Metal Refineries, signed on January 21, 2021, ensures proper disposal of electronic waste. There is separate place to collect E-waste.
• Vermicomposting: Included in their dedication to sustainability, students have launched a vermicomposting effort. Vermicomposting bins collect and treat organic waste, such as food leftovers and garden clippings. The resulting compost is utilized to fertilize plants, promoting a closed-loop waste management system.
• Green Gallery: SDIT has established a botanical garden featuring medicinal and herbal plants, serving as both an educational resource and a biodiversity sanctuary. SDIT campus is home to three remarkable green spaces: The Eco Trail, a scenic pathway promoting environmental awareness, the stunning Green Blossom fountain, and the Canteen Garden, also named Eco bite, building a bond with nature and a sense of community.
• Cleanliness Drive: SDIT actively supports cleanliness drive. Through campus-wide cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns, the institution promotes a clean and healthy environment. Participation in these national initiatives underscores SDIT’s dedication to ecological responsibility and community engagement.

Evidence of Success

• Achieved Gold Ranking as a Green College by meeting Green Mentors’ Accreditation Standards for Global Readiness, assuring ecological neutrality in teaching and learning.
• Achieved global requirements for environmental responsibility and academic accountability during the Green College Audit 2022-25.
• Green College Audit – 2022-25 demonstrated meeting energy use guidelines for classroom areas while minimizing environmental effect.
• The Masthani Shaam musical performance at Eco-Bite Garden, set against the canteen’s greenery, captivated the crowd with its tunes.
• SDIT has implemented sustainable practices such as energy-efficient LED lighting, solar water heaters and a 136-kW solar power system to cutdown the campus’s carbon footprint.
• Additionally, successful water conservation strategies like rainwater harvesting demonstrate SDIT’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
• SDIT has separate bins for dry and wet garbage, integrated sewage systems and an E-waste disposal cooperation with Moogambigai Metal Refineries.
• SDIT’s vermicomposting initiative reduces waste by using compost as manure.
• A botanical garden with medicinal and herbal plants demonstrates the Institution’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and experiential learning.
• SDIT supports cleanliness initiatives through campus-wide cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns, demonstrating ecological stewardship and community involvement.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

• Implementing new sustainability measures faces significant technical and logical challenges within the existing campus infrastructure.
• Renewable energy systems often face maintenance challenges due to limited expertise or technical issues.
• Effective navigation of regulatory challenges demands partnership with local authorities or experts.
• Securing financial and technical backing from industry partners or sponsors is vital, yet poses significant challenges.
• Financial limitations can slow the pace of sustainability initiatives.
• The constraints of semesters duration make it difficult to complete in depth sustainability projects that require extensive planning and execution.
• The search for sustainable products and materials can lead to higher costs and greater difficulties making procurement more complicated.
• Sustainability initiatives can experience variable student engagement, with interest and participation levels fluctuating overtime.

Best Practice -2

Title of the Best Practice: Samarpan: A Reformative Initiative Towards Societal Excellence

Objectives of the Practice:

• Instill values of generosity, benevolence and philanthropy among students.
• Unite individuals from diverse backgrounds to confront and uplift socio-economic concerns collaboratively.
• Raise awareness to fill the void between rural and urban lifestyles.
• Emphasize the importance of education in underprivileged communities, fostering intellectual growth and social upliftment.
• Motivate pupils to devise innovative solutions to societal challenges through competitions and interactive challenges.
• Organize clean-up campaigns in local neighborhoods and beaches, promoting cleanliness and environmental consciousness.

The Context:

• Leveraging Resources and Expertise: The goal of Shree Devi Institute of Technology’s (SDIT) “A Reformative Initiative Towards Societal Excellence” is to address societal issues and improve community well-being by using resources and knowledge of the institution.
• Inspiration from Leadership: Inspired by the philanthropic nature of our Chairman, Dr. A. Sadananda Shetty, SDIT launched “Samarpan” a social outreach club, aiming to imbibe generosity.
• Student Involvement: The institution boasts creative and innovative students eager to contribute to societal causes, emphasizing the significance of giving back to society and making a positive impact.
• Cultivating Empathy and Compassion: The initiative fosters empathy, compassion and a deeper understanding of diverse needs and perspectives.
• Promoting Social Equity: By addressing various societal issues, Samarpan promotes social equity, justice and solidarity.
• Building a Better Future: The ultimate goal is to establish a more compassionate, inclusive and sustainable world for present and future generations of the institution.

The Practice

• “Samarpan” is a comprehensive project at Shree Devi Institute of Technology (SDIT) that aims to significantly improve society via a range of outreach programs and activities. A wide range of activities are included in this effort, such as community involvement, healthcare awareness, environmental conservation, educational support and cultural preservation.
• Annual Outreach Programs: Students organize yearly outreach programs such as visits to orphanages, old age homes, rural schools and other charitable institutions. Seminar halls are transformed into movie theaters, with proceeds donated to charitable trusts. Fairs and sales activities are also organized, with the generated funds directed towards donations.
• Charity Initiatives: The campus transformed into a hub of charitable enthusiasm, with students selling products in public places, engaging in educational movie sessions, participating in enjoyable games and activities, showcasing their handicraft skills and savoring a food fest, all in support of the Samarpan charity initiative.
• Collaboration: SDIT signed an MOU with Aloka Foundation, Mangalore, on September 17, 2021. The primary objective of this partnership is to provide essential resources such as food, medicine, and financial aid to the underprivileged community, addressing their immediate needs and improving their quality of life.
• Digital Literacy Initiatives: An instructional kiosk booth was used as part of a computer awareness initiative for rural households, aimed at teaching children and seniors alike the value of technology.
• Environmental Conservation: Regular beach cleaning drives involve students, faculty, and volunteers in litter removal. Participants are provided with gloves, bags, and cleaning materials, and waste is sorted for proper disposal. Cleanliness drives are also held in the campus and in surrounding areas, with suitable waste bins and signage urging responsible disposal.
• Educational Programs: Regular training sessions are conducted in nearby schools to enhance digital literacy. Programs and events are also organized to raise awareness about AIDS and related issues, including educational sessions and campaigns on prevention and support for affected individuals.
• Healthcare Initiatives: SDIT often hosts blood donation drives on campus in partnership with local blood banks. These programs provide a safe environment for students, staff, and community members to donate blood, with medical professionals present to ensure donor safety. Guest speakers discuss the necessity of blood donation.
• Partnerships for Environmental Causes: SDIT partners with environmental organizations like Vana Charitable Trust, an NGO, to organize joint community cleaning drives. The institution also hosts talks, presentations, and tree plantation drives by experts on environmental conservation.

Evidence of success

• Samarpan has achieved significant success through impactful events. A donation drive at St. Anthony’s Ashram provided essential resources such as home essentials, clothes and stationery, fulfilling the residents’ needs. Additionally, cultural programs uplifted the spirits of differently-abled individuals, fostering inclusion and happiness. A New Year’s celebration at White Doves Psychiatric Nursing and Destitute Home brought joy and vigor to the children.
• At Anirveda, a school for special children, students spent quality time playing games and distributing sweets, creating a joyful atmosphere and enriching the lives of the children.
• Samarpan raised awareness about AIDS through seminars and workshops. Fundraising events supported HIV positive children, demonstrating a strong commitment to social causes. From the outreach club we contributed to Samvedhana Home for Children and Snehadeep Orphanage.
• The blood donation drives at SDIT have been highly successful, with numerous donors contributing blood, thereby potentially saving many lives.
• The collaboration between SDIT and Aloka Foundation underscores a shared commitment to serving the underprivileged and promoting equity. Leveraging student involvement, this partnership has significantly improved the lives of marginalized individuals and enriched the educational experiences of SDIT students.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

• Limited time for thorough planning and execution of social events as well as the time-consuming efforts required to raise funds pose significant challenges.
• Organizing and managing events effectively within tight schedules is challenging, particularly with the involvement of student clubs and society.
• Engaging the broader community in initiatives and maintaining consistent involvement is difficult.
• Academic demands, such as exams, assignments, and projects, often conflict with social activity schedules.
• Rapid changes in student interests, technology, and external factors can disrupt planned activities.
• Securing suitable venues and managing logistical aspects can be complex and time-consuming.
• Language barriers or communication challenges among students from diverse linguistic backgrounds can hinder effective collaboration and participation.