A sustainable campus framework is set up by CMR University with the aim to help move closer to a sustainable, green environment through community engagement by students. In order to mitigate the ongoing threats such as global warming and species extinction, CMR University in collaboration with the international institutes has announced the important initiatives that the university has undertaken to help students. This university is playing a critical role in addressing key sustainability concerns.

The CMR University has already focused on the integrated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are present in the curriculum of the university. The main aim of CMR University’s curriculum is to consciously reform economies and communities, making them more inclusive, and environmentally conscious. The establishment of the Sustainable Campus Framework lends greater momentum to the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) 2020 proposal. This UGC proposal is designed for achieving a green and sustainable campus environment for institutions of higher studies in India.

Dr. Suja Bennet, Dean of Academics, CMR University added “These initiatives by the university focus on helping students to learn more about sustainability and simultaneously empathize with the people from different backgrounds. The activities are aimed to sensitize students to learn more about the challenges faced due to climate change and issues faced by the community as a whole. Also, it was a moment of self-realization for the majority of students to learn about alternative ways to tackle climate change and improve environmental friendliness in and out of the campus,”.

Echoing the views of Dr. Suja Bennet, Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Provost, CMR University, said “If the same is adopted on a large scale across India, we may be well on our way to fulfilling our emission targets by 2050 while also preserving future generations' quality of life. That’s because the role of the educational sector is critical in conducting research and putting forth serious efforts to protect and regenerate ecosystems.”

Apart from various outreach programs, the following activities were also conducted:

• Supporting the livelihood of Persons with Disabilities (PwD), in association with APD an NGO, through horticultural activities.
• Training students of government schools in communication skills in association with ‘Vidyaranya’ an NGO.
• Engaging underprivileged children and residents of old age homes rehabilitated by Vidyaranya (Hosabelaku) in fun-filled learning activities relating to health and digital literacy.
• Participating in blood donation camps.

The activities were coordinated by CMR University to build empathy among students towards people from different socio-economic backgrounds.