ZERO HUNGER

The urgent need to eradicate hunger, attain food security, enhance nutrition, and advance sustainable agriculture is highlighted in Sustainable Development Goal 2. Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology reaffirmed its dedication to this worldwide goal for the academic year 2023–2024 by combining outreach, research, and campus-based sustainability initiatives. The organization created programs that directly address these requirements while also promoting sustainable agricultural methods after realizing that hunger and malnutrition continue to be major problems for vulnerable populations, especially women and children living in rural regions. This all-encompassing strategy made sure that Sathyabama's efforts were globally linked, ecologically conscious, and socially significant.

Sathyabama focuses on ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food, which was directly addressed by community nutrition programs, such as midday meal support to old age home, pilgrimage people and nutritional support to rural schools;  which addresses malnutrition in vulnerable groups and emphasizes doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale producers to promote sustainable food production systems.

In order to maintain accountability and transparency, Sathyabama used quantifiable indicators to track progress: the number of rural school beneficiaries increased from 1,200 in 2022–2023 to 1,800 in 2023–2024; the number of nutrition workshops increased from 15 to 25 sessions, bolstering efforts on the amount of organic produce harvested from campus gardens increased from 250 kg to 400 kg, reflecting improvements in sustainable agriculture by reducing losses in the food system.

• Reducing food and nutrition insecurity among students from low-income backgrounds,

• Extending health & nutrition services to surrounding communities, particularly underserved women and families in adopted villages.

Initiatives

1. Scholarships, freeships and financial support for students

   • 1,863 students benefitted from scholarships, freeships and other financial support schemes in 2023–24, reducing the burden of tuition and indirectly supporting food and living needs for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

      

2. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) – Village Outreach

   • Sathyabama has adopted nearby villages under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, where the institution supports basic amenities and welfare measures (including sanitation, water and health awareness).

   • Health and hygiene activities in these villages indirectly support food safety, child nutrition and overall well-being.

      

c. Outcomes & Evidence

• Scale of student support: 1,832 students receiving scholarships/freeships is a strong quantitative indicator that financial barriers (including food and housing insecurity) are being addressed.
• Community health & nutrition: Sathyabama Health camps and UBA health outreach demonstrate action on nutrition-related SDG 2 targets for vulnerable women and rural households. 

2.1 Research Contribution

 At Sathyabama, research on effective agricultural practices, organic farming and pest control are undertaken. The Centre for climate change studies is involved in research addressing the issues like maintenance of ecosystems and avoiding degradation of eco-systems, adaptation to climate change, water scarcity, ground water resources and irrigation. Centre for Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics is also involved in research that addresses the change in rainfall pattern, anthropogenic disaster monitoring and so on.

• Formal “Sathyabama Food Policy” exists campus food & aquatic food systems research / sustainability of food supply.

• Campus food-waste valorization (biogas + compost) feeding back to kitchens and gardens — documented in the Energy & Environment Audit and campus reports. This reduces waste and supports campus food production/use. 

• Community outreach / village adoption under Institutional Social Responsibility (UBA) and active NSS outreach programmes — shows direct community support (health, basic amenities, livelihood activities that relate to food security). 

Sathyabama’s Support and Mobility Opportunities for International Learners:

Sathyabama welcomes students from abroad, allowing “students from other countries” to apply for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes. Its dedicated Centre for Academic Partnership & International Relations (CAP-IR) coordinates international admissions and supports “inbound student mobility,” enabling foreign students (from partner universities abroad) to study for a semester at Sathyabama with credit transfer.

Through these mechanisms, international students — potentially including those from South Africa — are given access to Sathyabama’s academic and research environment, with support for admission, enrollment, and accommodation and a path to job which keep them away from hunger.

2.2 Training Programmes 

The Institution conduct 

• Training programmes to students and outsiders in order to develop awareness on these issues and encourage responsible behavior to combat human caused climate change and promote sustainable way of life.

• Training programmes to farmers on sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.

• Awareness programmes on food wastage and ways to avoid food wastage.

2.3 Outreach Programmes

About 40 % of the food produced in India is wasted. Despite adequate food production, the UN has reported that about 190 million Indians remain undernourished. It is further estimated that the value of food wastage in India is around ₹92,000 crores per annum. These are some bleak statistics, but they should help us realize the magnitude of the problem of food waste, as much as inequity, in India. The world recognizes that no truly sustainable and developed country can exist without tackling the issue of food waste, and while the challenge in front of us may be monumental, some steps need to be taken sooner than others.so NSS has taken the initiative to create awareness of food wastage and organized an event.

World Food Day World Food Day is an international awareness event focused on finding solutions to end world hunger and food insecurity. Nano fertilizers and bio fertilizers recent innovation ideas were inculcating to the Government school students on October 16, 2023 by Eco club mentors and students. The activity provided a platform for the students to discuss and exchange insights on key objectives on sustainable farming and sustainable agriculture. The event covered a wide range of themes, including innovative methodologies, educational technology, and team participation. Participants actively engaged in interactive sessions with students, gaining valuable knowledge and networking opportunities.

2.4 Food Distribution during Natural Disasters

Other than giving food to orphanages and Homes, Sathyabama has never failed to rise to any occasion, during natural calamities in Chennai. The huge kitchen in Sathyabama that feeds more than 5000 people every day, three times a day, effortlessly starts cooking for the masses during any natural calamity. The students also volunteer and their active participation has always been Sathyabama’s strength. The food that is cooked and packed by the efficient kitchen gets distributed effortlessly by the students

Food for All

2.5 Women Empowerment and Eradication of Hunger 

Empowering women will alleviate poverty and eradicate hunger. The women in the rural areas have been given training for independent earning

Initiatives on campus to avoid food waste

A team of faculty members from the Centre for Drug Discovery and Development and the Centre of Modern Organic Agriculture (C-MOAR), Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, visited leading institutions in Thailand including RIMOA-KMITL, AATSEA, NC Organic Coconut Farm, Kings Former Fertilizer Company, Mahidol University, Mahidol Hospital & Research Centre, and Superior ART Bangkok from April 3–6, 2024. The visit aimed to expand collaborative research through joint projects, student and faculty exchanges, and facility sharing between Sathyabama and Thai institutions. It also fostered meaningful dialogue among universities and industry leaders to strengthen higher education, advance scientific research and technology, and enhance workforce development across both nations. This initiative marks a significant step toward building sustainable academic and industrial partnerships in the region.

On August 3^rd 2024, the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology hosted a memorable reunion for the class of 1999-2003, drawing over 140 alumni back to their alma mater in a heartfelt celebration. This event offered a poignant opportunity for former students to reconnect with their past and relive the cherished experiences of their college years. As they wandered through their old classrooms, many alumni were struck by the sense of nostalgia and the transformation of the campus since their graduation. The day was filled with lively group photos, conversations with former classmates, and touching reunions with beloved professors who had played a significant role in their academic journeys.

In a generous gesture of gratitude and to honor the institution that significantly shaped their lives, the alumni collectively donated Rs. 1,00,000 to support the social upliftment initiatives that the University is doing.

The reunion underscored the lasting bonds formed during their time at Sathyabama and highlighted the significant role the institution played in shaping their personal and professional lives.