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Sentiment And Sustainability, A Priority For Young Students In India: Publication Survey

Recently, a survey was released that captured the “sentiment” of younger students in India.

The survey-based publication 10K Indian Voices, which investigates the thoughts of the Generation Z (Gen Z) group, polled students on themes spanning from the impact of the pandemic to their professional objectives. Their perspectives on community movements, social media, and sustainability were also included in the poll.

The founder and CEO of Sannam S4, Adrian Mutton, urged institutions to “heed the paradigm shift” outlined in the poll.

“Representing around one-fifth of the entire world’s youth population, how Indian students make decisions about their education will profoundly dictate future global mobility,” Mutton said. Students have “acquired a sharp awareness to address global concerns,” which predominantly encompassed the topic of sustainability, according to key findings.

A huge 93 per cent of the survey’s 9,963 participants replied sustainability was on their minds “every day” — the most significant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Gen Z students were Quality Education, Zero Hunger, and No Poverty.

“Climate change is more on everyone’s radar now than ever, and India experiences that daily with soaring summers, unseasonal rains, landslides, and floods,” Lakshmi Iyer, Sannam S4 executive director of Education, told The PIE News.

“The impact of not meeting the SDGs is acutely felt in countries like India. Universities have a local and global impact, they shape minds and they need to take that mission seriously so that they equip the students to problem solve for the greater good.”

Making a difference in the world was also shown to be a priority for responders, and a passion for social problems was a factor for others. Career development was rated as the most significant concern by 39% of students, while mental health and education were both high at 21%.

“Indian Gen Z students want to pursue a career of choice and want to make a difference to the world. They are owning their choices and are global citizens,” said Iyer.

India’s Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, recently stated at Sannam S4’s SDG Conclave in October that sustainable development is at the heart of India’s national education policy.

The virus outbreak is also transforming people’s perceptions of mental health in India, where it was previously considered taboo, according to Iyer. “Indian educational institutions can do more to support the youth by openly talking about the challenge of unseen ailments like mental health and instituting support and helplines to support the students,” Iyer added.

The study also demonstrates the recent focus on social media – 73 per cent of Gen Z survey participants said they use “two or more” social media sites, with Instagram accounting for a whopping 96 per cent. All the more startling, 18% of those polled stated they spent four or more hours every day on social media.

The poll identified key implications for colleges, such as a concentration on “application-oriented practical learning” instead of classroom and book knowledge. The study also demonstrates the recent focus on social media – 73 per cent of Gen Z survey participants said they use “two or more” social media sites, with Instagram accounting for a whopping 96 per cent.

All the more startling, 18% of those polled stated they spent four or more hours every day on social media. The poll identified key implications for colleges, such as a concentration on “application-oriented practical learning” instead of classroom and book knowledge.

The survey also stated that incorporating SDGs into the curriculum and weaving them into the student experience would be good for universities in the future. Student mental health should also be prioritized according to the survey report. 

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