In an era marked by unprecedented challenges and crisis, such as climate change and global warming, increased vulnerabilities and uncertainties, aligning Indian higher education ecosystem with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and integrating the same into the university curriculum is imperative. SDG 4, which focuses on “Quality Education,” calls for an inclusive and equitable system that equips students with the skills needed to tackle pressing societal issues. By integrating sustainability into curricula, universities can foster critical thinking and innovation. Likewise, SDG 7, which emphasizes “Access to Affordable and Clean Energy”, highlights the need for promoting informed citizenry in renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency. India’s academic institutions must become hubs of knowledge, research, and innovation, empowering future leaders to drive progress in technological, environmental and sustainability domains. These global goals constantly remind us about raising the bar and striving for continuous improvement in our effort to build resilience.

The cover story, “Reimagining Higher Education towards Sustainable Development in India,” featured in this edition of TerraGreen, underscores the critical role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in India in shaping knowledge, driving innovation, and nurturing future leadership. By rethinking higher education with a focus on sustainable development, India can not only accelerate its progress but also create a resource pool of responsible citizens committed to a more sustainable, environmentally aware, and equitable future. Indian HEIs must actively engage in identifying and addressing challenges through imaginative solutions that reflect the country’s values, and consequently help achieve global goals like SDGs with a renewed local focus to build a sustainable and just future for all.

However, reimagining higher education for sustainable development in India is both an urgent necessity and a challenging task. It demands transformative changes across curriculum design, paedagogy, governance, infrastructure, and institutional culture. While the NEP 2020 provides a solid policy framework, successful large-scale implementation will require collaboration among government bodies, HEIs, industries, and civil society. All stakeholders—educators, students, administrators, and policymakers—must embrace a sustainability mindset, guiding both personal actions and institutional decisions.

I believe you will find each article published in this issue stimulating, with a storyline that ignites a sense of hope and reinforces the belief in transitioning to a greener and resilient ecosystem.