Education for Sustainable Development Course | IIT Kharagpur | Prof. Atasi Mohanty
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 22531 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences, Energy, Climate and Sustainability, Faculty Domain - Advanced |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Education for Sustainable Development: Shaping the Future Through Learning
In a world facing unprecedented environmental, social, and economic challenges, education has emerged as the most powerful tool for building a sustainable future. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) empowers learners of all ages with the knowledge, skills, values, and agency needed to address interconnected global crises. It's not just about learning about sustainability, but learning for sustainability—transforming how we think and act.
If you're a student, educator, professional, or simply a concerned global citizen looking to be part of the solution, a groundbreaking online course from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) offers a comprehensive pathway. This 12-week program provides a deep dive into the principles and practices of ESD, guided by an expert in the field.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Atasi Mohanty
The course is led by Prof. Atasi Mohanty of IIT Kharagpur's Centre for Educational Technology. With a distinguished academic background including a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and dual M.Phil. degrees in Education and Psychology, Prof. Mohanty brings a rich, interdisciplinary perspective. Her extensive research and teaching experience, spanning institutions like Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, focuses on critical areas including:
- Educational Psychology & Curriculum Development
- Teacher Education & Professional Development
- Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
- Human Resources & Sustainability
Her expertise ensures that the course is not only theoretically robust but also grounded in practical application for real-world impact.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This 12-week undergraduate/postgraduate level course is designed to unravel the complex tapestry of sustainable development and the central role of education within it. It falls under the domains of Humanities and Social Sciences, Energy, Climate and Sustainability.
About the Course: The course is built on the understanding that education is a fundamental human right and the primary driver for achieving the UNESCO 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It moves beyond government responsibility, highlighting the collective commitment needed from educational institutions, the private sector, civil society, and individuals to build inclusive, equitable, and relevant learning systems for all stakeholders.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
Here is a week-by-week breakdown of the curriculum, designed to take you from foundational concepts to advanced applications of ESD.
| Week | Module & Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | 1: Introduction to ESD
|
| Week 3-4 | 2: ESD & SDGs - Achieving SDG 4.7
|
| Week 5 | Leveraging Cultural Diversity for the SDGs |
| Week 6-7 | 3: ESD & Sustainability - Achieving SDG 4.4
|
| Week 8-9 | 4: ESD & Social Transformation
|
| Week 10-11 | 5: ESD & Sustainable Education
|
| Week 12 | Guest Lecture by an International Faculty Expert |
Who Should Enroll?
This course is meticulously designed for a wide audience, making it a versatile learning opportunity.
- All Students (Undergraduate & Postgraduate): Gain a critical edge in understanding the world's most pressing issues.
- Teachers & Educators: Learn to integrate ESD into your curriculum and teaching methodologies.
- Professionals & Corporate Trainers: Especially those in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) units, HR, and sustainability roles.
- Policy Makers & Administrators in educational institutions.
Industry Support: The course is highly relevant for all Educational Institutions (Schools and Higher Education) and Industry/Corporate CSR units aiming to align with global sustainability frameworks.
Recommended Reading & Resources
To complement your learning, the course draws upon seminal publications:
- Issues and Trends in Education for Sustainable Development - UNESCO Publication.
- Digital Pedagogy for Building Peaceful & Sustainable Societies - Blue Dot Publication.
- Research articles from the journal Sustainability, such as those in the special issue on Entrepreneurship Education.
Why Take This Course?
By completing this course, you will:
- Master the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Understand how to use education as a transformative tool for sustainability.
- Develop skills to design curricula and pedagogical strategies that foster critical thinking, empathy, and action.
- Connect with a global community of learners and practitioners committed to positive change.
- Earn a certificate from IIT Kharagpur, enhancing your academic and professional profile.
In a rapidly changing world, Education for Sustainable Development is no longer an elective—it's essential. This IIT Kharagpur course provides the blueprint for becoming an informed, empowered, and effective agent of change. Enroll today and equip yourself to educate for a sustainable tomorrow.
Enroll Now →