SDG Foundation

PEOPLE

Ending poverty and hunger, and ensuring health, education, dignity and equality for all.

The People Pillar

The People pillar covers the goals most directly concerned with human welfare and social justice — the core relationship between an institution, the people it serves, and the community around it.

SDG 1

No Poverty

Understanding the Goal

Calls for the elimination of extreme poverty in all its forms, everywhere.
Covers not just income poverty, but access to basic services, education, and opportunity.
Concerns who gets access to opportunity — and who is priced out before they even get the chance.

Focus Areas

Fee waivers and scholarships for economically weaker students
Bridge or foundation courses for first-generation students
Technical and design support for low-cost housing in underserved communities
Skill-training programs for unemployed youth in surrounding areas

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SDG 2

Zero Hunger

Understanding the Goal

Aims to end hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Irrigation, storage, transport, and food processing are all, at heart, technical problems.
Also concerns how surplus and leftover food is handled, not just how it is served.

Focus Areas

A zero-food-waste policy, with leftover food routed to those in need
Smart irrigation and crop-monitoring research projects
Food distribution drives run through student or community outreach groups
Research into food processing and preservation methods

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SDG 3

Good Health and Well-being

Understanding the Goal

Focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being at every age.
Includes physical health, but increasingly recognises mental health as equally critical.
In a high-pressure academic environment, this is as much about prevention as treatment.

Focus Areas

An accessible counselling service with regular mental health workshops
Health-technology projects: low-cost diagnostics, assistive devices
Blood donation drives and periodic health check-up camps
Awareness programs on substance abuse and road safety

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SDG 4

Quality Education

Understanding the Goal

Seeks inclusive, equitable, quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The founding purpose of any teaching institution.
Quality is something to be measured continuously, not assumed by default.

Focus Areas

Outcome-based teaching models with regular curriculum review
Access to open online courses and recognised certifications
Peer-tutoring and remedial support for students who are struggling
Ongoing professional development for teaching staff
Outreach programs that introduce younger students to STEM subjects

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SDG 5

Gender Equality

Understanding the Goal

Calls for the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
In technical education specifically, this includes closing the gender gap in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) enrolment and leadership.
Equality has to be enforced and visible, not simply written into policy.

Focus Areas

An accessible grievance and support cell for gender-related concerns
Gender-parity goals in staff recruitment and leadership roles
Mentorship programs and scholarships supporting women in STEM
Clear, visible safety systems and support helplines

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SDG 10

Reduced Inequalities

Understanding the Goal

Aims to reduce inequality within and among countries — economic, social, and political.
Means no student should be disadvantaged because of background, ability, or region.
Accessibility should function as infrastructure, not as a special accommodation.

Focus Areas

A transparent, well-communicated reservation and support policy
Regular accessibility audits — ramps, lifts, accessible facilities
Academic support in regional languages where needed
Actively enforced anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies

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SDG 11

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Understanding the Goal

Focuses on making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Directly relevant to civil and urban engineering education and practice.
Also concerns how an institution behaves as a small, self-contained community.

Focus Areas

Technical support partnerships with local governing bodies
Student-led urban and community planning projects
Regular disaster-preparedness training and drills
Pursuit and renewal of recognised green-institution certifications

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SDG 16

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Understanding the Goal

Promotes peaceful, inclusive societies with access to justice and accountable institutions.
At an institutional level, this means fair governance, transparency, and student voice.
Trust is built through consistent process, not just good intentions.

Focus Areas

A grievance redressal process with published response timelines
Ethics and governance topics built into the curriculum
Legal literacy sessions on topics like cyber law and data privacy
A student governing body with genuine decision-making input

View SDG 16 Events

People at Mangalam

The People pillar places human wellbeing, inclusion, equality, education and social responsibility at the centre of sustainable development. Through academic activities, student initiatives, community engagement and institutional practices, the SDG Cell works towards creating a people-centred and socially responsible campus.