Sustainable Development Goals: A Complete OBE Integration Handbook (Volume-I)

Description

This volume presents a comprehensive framework for integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) system within higher education institutions (HEIs), with a prime focus on engineering and technology programs. The framework transforms sustainability from an abstract global vision into a measurable, assessable, and achievable academic objective by aligning SDG indicators with clearly defined learning outcomes and structured attainment processes within OBE.
The model is built on a hierarchical integration philosophy, beginning with institutional policies—including strategic plans, sustainability governance structures, and academic charters—and cascading down to program-level outcomes, course outcomes, teaching–learning strategies, assessment tools, and student activities. SDG mapping is systematically carried out through structured matrices that evaluate alignment strength (3 = Strong, 2 = Moderate, 1 = Low) across COs, POs, PSOs, and national policy initiatives such as NEP-2020, Smart Cities Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). This ensures curriculum relevance to national priorities and global sustainability expectations.
Pedagogically, the handbook embeds sustainability across the curriculum using SDG-linked laboratory experiments, real-world case studies, project-based learning (PBL), and sustainability-focused assignments. The OBE structure supports measurable assessment of sustainability competencies through rubrics, mini-projects, field activities, and reflection-based evaluations. SDG attainment is calculated using weighted CO-linked matrices, enabling continuous monitoring across CO, PO, PSO, and SDG levels through both direct (exam, project) and indirect (survey, feedback) assessments. The framework integrates seamlessly with Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) cycles, enabling faculty and departments to identify gaps, implement corrective measures, revise curriculum components, and maintain dynamic SDG alignment.
The expected outcomes demonstrate substantial academic and societal benefits. Students develop essential graduate attributes such as systems thinking, environmental and ethical literacy, responsible decision-making, and sustainable design capabilities—preparing them to address complex global challenges with innovation and integrity. Institutions benefit through strengthened accreditation readiness for NBA and NAAC, enhanced research output in SDG domains, and greater visibility in sustainability-driven global rankings. The model further supports the development of student-led start-ups and research initiatives in areas such as renewable energy, smart cities, and climate action.
In essence, the OBE framework acts as the architectural blueprint of academic design, while SDG integration adds the sustainability features necessary for responsible and future-ready education. Through structured mapping, attainment, and documentation processes, this handbook provides a rigorous quality assurance mechanism, ensuring that sustainability is not merely taught, but meaningfully embedded, practiced, and demonstrated across the entire educational ecosystem.

About the Authors

Dr. T. V. Rama Krishna is a distinguished academician, researcher, and administrator with 25 years of teaching experience and a proven record in higher education governance, academic leadership, accreditation, and quality assurance. His contributions extend across teaching, research supervision, institutional development, and academic administration in several reputed universities of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
He has successfully guided 5 Ph.D. scholars and continues to serve as a recognized research supervisor at Andhra University, JNTU Ananthapuram, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF) University, and Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya University. His supervision has fostered high-quality research outcomes in engineering, technology, and applied sciences.
Dr. Rama Krishna is a prolific researcher with an extensive publication record of 97 research papers, including 50 indexed in Scopus and 3 in SCI journals. His research expertise is widely recognized, and his profile can be accessed here: Scopus Author ID – 56397099300.
Dr. T. V. Rama Krishna has held several distinguished academic and administrative positions across reputed institutions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. At Sanketika Vidya Parishad Engineering College (SVPEC), he served as the Ratified Principal from Andhra University, where he also took on responsibilities as Dean of Academics, Ratified Professor, and Member Secretary of the Governing Body, a statutory body under UGC. He later contributed as the Ratified Principal from JNTU, Hyderabad at Bharat Institute of Engineering and Technology (BIET), where his primary duties included serving as Dean of Academics and Member Secretary of the Governing Body.
At Sasi Institute of Technology and Engineering (SITE), he functioned as a Ratified Professor from JNTUK, Kakinada, while also serving as Principal and Dean of Academics. His statutory and governance roles at SITE included Governing Body Member, Academic Council Member Secretary, BoS Member, Finance Committee Coordinator, Planning & Development Committee Coordinator, NAAC Coordinator, IQAC Coordinator, and NBA Coordinator, reflecting his extensive expertise in quality assurance and institutional governance.
At Koneru Lakshmaiah College of Engineering (KLCE) / KLEF University, Dr. Rama Krishna contributed as a Ratified Professor, Director of e-Resources, Associate Dean of Academics, and Associate Dean of Library Resources & Technical Services and Certificate Courses. Additionally, he served as Professor In-Charge of Certificate Courses and the Central Library, while also holding statutory roles as Academic Council Member and BoS Member under UGC guidelines.
Earlier in his career, at R.V.R. & J.C. College of Engineering, he was ratified as an Assistant Professor and subsequently promoted to Associate Professor under Acharya Nagarjuna University. During this period, he also served as NBA Criterion 7 In-Charge, focusing on infrastructure, facilities, and sustainability in accreditation processes.
With his 25 years of teaching, 5 awarded Ph.D.s, 97 publications, and extensive administrative contributions, Dr. T. V. Rama Krishna stands as a respected leader in Indian higher education. His blend of research, academic leadership, and quality assurance roles has significantly advanced institutional growth, accreditation readiness, and global academic visibility.

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