Sustainable Nitte

NO POVERTY

PREAMBLE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: No Poverty underscores the need to eliminate poverty in all its forms by ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, basic services, and social protection. Achieving this goal requires inclusive, community-cantered interventions that address socio- economic vulnerabilities and promote long-term empowerment.

In line with this vision, Nitte (Deemed to be University) is committed to advancing poverty alleviation through sustained academic, healthcare, and community outreach initiatives. The University supports economically disadvantaged learners through scholarships, while extending essential services to underserved populations through free health camps, nutrition and sanitation awareness programs, and social support initiatives. Collectively, these efforts reflect Nitte (Deemed to be University)'s dedication to inclusive development, social equity, and the creation of opportunities that enable individuals and communities to lead dignified and self-reliant lives.

SCHOLARSHIPS STRENGTHENING ACCESS TO EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS FROM ECONOMICALLY CONSTRAINED BACKGROUNDS
Nitte (Deemed to be University) offers a range of scholarships and fee concessions aimed at easing the financial burden of higher education and widening access for deserving students. These schemes primarily reward academic merit while ensuring affordability across multiple disciplines, including architecture, hospitality, tourism, and undergraduate programmes.

For select colleges under the Nitte umbrella, first-year students achieving high scores in their Class 12 examinations are eligible for tuition fee concessions, with continued benefits in subsequent years subject to satisfactory academic performance and discipline. At the Nitte Institute of Architecture, merit-based scholarships provide scaled fee reductions for students with strong academic records in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, ensuring that high- performing students can pursue professional education at a reduced cost.



Excellence scholarships further support top applicants through significantly lowered tuition fees, allocated on a first-come-first- serve basis and tied to academic and entrance test performance. Similar concessions are extended to programmes in hospitality, culinary arts, and tourism, reinforcing affordability across diverse career pathways.

By linking financial assistance to academic achievement and continuity, Nitte’s scholarship framework reduces economic barriers to education and supports students in building skills, qualifications, and long-term livelihood opportunities.

FROM LOCAL IDEAS TO GLOBAL IMPACT: INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR START-UPS
Nitte Young Innovators Summit 2025 was hosted by AIC Nitte Incubation Centre at A.J. Institute of Engineering & Technology under the theme “Transforming Ideas into Ventures.” On 12th December 2025. The summit highlighted 31 student-led projects from 15 colleges, offering structured mentorship and exposure to innovation. The top 10 projects received incubation support, while the top 5 were selected for exhibition at the Coastal Start-up Fest 2026, with priority given to ventures addressing social impact and livelihood challenges in low-income communities.



EMPOWERING INNOVATION: FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR EMERGING START-UPS
AIC Nitte Start-up Summit – Financial and Incubation Support provided targeted financial and entrepreneurial assistance to emerging innovators. Cash prizes totalling ₹40,000, sponsored by CA Chethan Nayak, were awarded to promising start-ups, along with access to seed funding pathways, incubation support, and investor networking. The initiative strengthened early-stage enterprises with high potential for poverty alleviation and community development, reinforcing local economic inclusion and sustainable entrepreneurship.



FOSTERING WELL-BEING THROUGH INTEGRATED HEALTH PROMOTION INITIATIVES:
  • Nitte (Deemed to be University) organized multiple free dental check-ups, treatment, and oral health awareness camps through ABSMIDS, benefiting 1,233 individuals and reducing the financial burden of essential oral healthcare.
  • Eight blood donation programs conducted across Nitte institutions, with support from NSS and Youth Red Cross units, collected about 358 units of blood, strengthening access to life- saving health services.
  • Preventive oral health and anti-tobacco awareness were promoted through four targeted programs by ABSMIDS in collaboration with the Indian Cancer Society, reaching over 840 beneficiaries, including school children and postgraduate students.
  • Two physiotherapy camps organized by the Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy provided assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services to 300 patients, improving access to pain management and functional recovery.
  • General health check-ups and preventive screening programs conducted across schools, colleges, old age homes, and community settings benefited over 230 individuals through medical, dental, ENT and eye examinations with appropriate referrals.
  • NUINS conducted multiple first aid, CPR, and emergency preparedness (Apathbandhu) training programs, equipping more than 150 participants with essential life-saving skills and strengthening community health resilience.<.li>
  • Health awareness programs on anti-drug abuse, HIV prevention, maternal and child health, breast cancer awareness, and integrative health practices benefited over 200 community members by promoting early detection and healthy lifestyles.
  • Physical fitness and mental well-being were promoted through International Yoga Day, Fit India initiatives, and specialized yoga programs, engaging over 700 participants across institutions and community settings.
  • Elderly well-being was supported through health check-ups and engagement activities at Sevashrama Old Age Home, benefiting 38 elderly residents.
  • Integrated anti-drug awareness, first aid, life-saving skills, and yoga programs conducted by Dr. NSAM institutions strengthened preventive health education and the adoption of healthy lifestyles among students and the public.


COMMUNITY-FOCUSED NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY INTERVENTIONS:
  • Nitte (Deemed to be University), through the NSS Unit of NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, conducted a nutrition and food safety awareness outreach at De Mercede Orphanage, Deralakatte, as part of Poshan Pakhwada. The program educated orphanage residents, along with participating students and staff, on healthy dietary practices, safe food handling, and nutritional hygiene, thereby strengthening access to essential nutrition and food safety awareness among vulnerable populations.
  • The Health & Wellness Club of Dr. MRSM English Medium High School organized a “Food for All” charity initiative on 23–24 June 2025 to support elderly residents of the Chiranthana Geriatric Care Centre in Surathkal. The drive enabled the donation of staple food grains, vegetables, cooking oil, and essential household items, addressing food security and daily living needs while promoting dignity, social inclusion, and community well-being among senior citizens.


EXPANDING HORIZONS: INCLUSIVE AND SKILL-ORIENTED LEARNING EXPERIENCES:
  • Nitte (Deemed to be University) facilitated a range of inclusive and holistic educational initiatives in 2025 to strengthen academic enrichment, digital literacy, innovation, and global citizenship among students. These programs offered equitable learning opportunities through international academic exchange, competitive quizzes, hackathons, symposiums, ideathons, and technology outreach activities.
  • `NUCSER, in collaboration with academic and NSS partners, organized Science Quiz 2025 and the national-level BlueNovathon-2025, creating inclusive platforms for pre- university students, innovators, and startups to enhance scientific temper, innovation, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills linked to future livelihood opportunities.
  • Dr. NSAM English Medium High School hosted a week-long international educational exchange with Hutchesons’ Grammar School, Scotland, fostering inclusive learning through cultural interaction, academic collaboration, and global perspectives aligned with the SDGs.
  • NMAM Institute of Technology conducted the AINNOVATION II – Code4Bharat 24-hour hackathon and an IT outreach program on AI and web safety, empowering students from diverse institutions with digital skills, cyber awareness, teamwork, and responsible technology usage essential for holistic education.
  • Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy supported inclusive learning by enabling undergraduate students to participate in Prajna 2025, an educational symposium that emphasizes integrating professional skills with sustainable development goals for societal upliftment.


PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND SANITATION:
  • Environmental awareness programs—including walkathons, EV rallies, farmer trainings, marine conservation sessions, and microplastic monitoring workshops—engaged students, officials, researchers, fishing communities, and farmers to promote sustainable practices and pollution control.
  • Multiple beach and coastal clean-up drive at Tannirbavi, Ullal, Someshwar, Kodi, and other locations mobilized large numbers of students and community volunteers to remove plastic waste and encourage responsible coastal stewardship.
  • Swachhata Abhiyan and sanitation drives across campuses, stadiums, temples, panchayat offices, riverbanks, lakes, and public spaces involved NSS units and Swachh Sena volunteers in improving hygiene and cleanliness and fostering civic responsibility.
  • Tree plantation, Vanamahotsava, World Environment Day, Miyawaki forest development, bird-watering, and campus greening initiatives promoted biodiversity conservation, climate awareness, and sustainable environmental practices across institutions and communities.


SUPPORT FOR ALL: STRENGTHENING SOCIAL SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY CARE:
  • NSS volunteers of Dr. NSAM First Grade College and NUCSER conducted community outreach and special camps at schools and special institutions, engaging over 240 students and volunteers through life-skills training, cultural activities, nutrition support, and essential donations, fostering inclusion and holistic development among underprivileged children.
  • Under the Nitte DAAN and outreach initiatives, student volunteers supported orphanages, old age homes, and care centres by providing meals, essential supplies, mobility aids, and financial assistance worth over ₹75,000, benefiting over 110 residents and promoting dignity, compassion, and community inclusion.
  • Joy of Giving, Mega Daan, and charity initiatives organized by management and student associations engaged school students and communities through scholarships, donation drives, and awareness activities, strengthening social responsibility and collective care.
  • Hair donation and cancer support initiatives by the Aura Club, Mercy Beauty Academy, fly high Charitable Trust, and individual student contributions enabled the creation of free wigs for cancer patients, promoting empathy, participation, and psychosocial support.
  • Well-being and psychosocial support visits by nursing and public health students to rehabilitation centres and care homes engaged residents through interactive and recreational activities, enhancing emotional well-being, inclusion, and access to basic social support