Sustainable Nitte

REDUCED INEQUALITIES

Nitte (Deemed to be University) is fundamentally dedicated to fostering a more equitable and inclusive society by actively addressing disparities in healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Guided by the principles of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 (SDG 10), the University implements a comprehensive, multifaceted strategy to bridge social and economic gaps within its community and beyond.

Our approach is built upon four key pillars: ensuring healthcare equity through extensive community outreach; promoting educational inclusion via accessible, high-quality programs; driving social and economic empowerment for marginalized groups through targeted interventions; and championing diversity and representation in all facets of university life. Through these integrated efforts, Nitte remains steadfast in its mission to eliminate discrimination and promote the well-being and social mobility of all.

1. Expanding Specialized Healthcare Access
• Tele-rehabilitation: Building on the success of physiotherapy camps, the university could implement remote follow-up care for rural patients to ensure long-term progress.
• Targeted Outreach for Special Needs: Expanding programs like the mobile phone usage awareness initiative for children with special health care needs.
2. Enhancing Social and Economic Empowerment
• Entrepreneurial Incubation: Transitioning from "National Youth Conferences" to active incubation programs that provide seed funding for student-led social enterprises targeting SDG 10.
• Scaling Inclusive Technology: Further developing and commercializing projects like the "Adaptive EV for Disabled People."
3. Broadening Educational Equity
• Digital Resource Sharing: Creating open-access digital repositories of the university’s value-added courses, such as those for "Scientific Communication Skills," for use by underserved regional schools.
4. Sustainable Community Stewardship
Policy Advocacy: Using data from its successful community interventions to advise local government bodies on policies for reducing industrial and economic inequality.

Nitte University fosters a strong research and innovation ecosystem focused on reducing inequality. Faculty and students develop practical, technology-driven solutions that empower vulnerable populations and address systemic barriers, aligning with SDG 10.

Key initiatives leverage AI and smart technologies to support people with disabilities and improve women’s safety. Projects like AI-based writing and object detection tools, smart glasses for the visually impaired, and speech-to-Braille systems enhance accessibility and independence. In healthcare, AI-driven solutions enable early autism detection and provide personalized support for the visually impaired and elderly.

The University also addresses gender inequality through projects like “Nirbhaya,” which uses AI to improve women’s safety. Overall, these efforts reflect a strategic commitment to translating research into a real-world impact for a more inclusive society.

Nitte University is committed to the principle that higher education should be a vehicle for social mobility. We actively work to ensure access and success for students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation learners, students with disabilities, and those from economically disadvantaged communities.

The students and faculty from Nitte’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program organized ‘High Five for Fun’ to spread joy among the young residents of Snehadeep Home for Girls at Bondel, Mangaluru. The event brought smiles to 22 HIV-infected girls living at the orphanage. The initiative began with two visits to Snehadeep to understand the children’s needs. This was followed by a ten-day fundraiser, ‘ABCD – Any Body Can Donate’, which encouraged contributions of Rs. 5 or more raising an impressive Rs. 41,237.68 from over 180 contributors. The event was held on February 23, 2025.

The NSS unit of NGSM Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences visited De Mercede Orphanage at Deralakatte on 23rd April 2025. Dr. Koland emphasized the importance of making healthy food choices and the benefits of consuming nutritious food. The students of the institution interacted with the residents of the orphanage, highlighting the nutritional value and health benefits of a wholesome diet, as well as the significance of maintaining hygiene in cooking and while consuming food. And provide food.

Nitte University has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and actively promotes a culture of equality, respect, and inclusion. This is operationalized through a wide array of programs and policies targeting gender, socio-economic status, and cultural background.

Our commitment to non-discrimination is embedded in the University's core operations. A key manifestation of this is our extensive healthcare outreach, which aims to reduce the profound inequality in access to medical services. Throughout 2025, the University organized numerous free health camps in rural and underserved areas.

NSS Unit of Nitte Institute of Professional Education (NIPE) and Youth Red Cross and Red Ribbon Club the NSS Unit, Youth Red Cross and Red Ribbon Club of Nitte Institute of Professional Education (NIPE) successfully organized a Blood Donation Camp on 25th January 2025 at KSRTC Bus Stand, Mangaluru. The event was inaugurated by distinguished guests, including Mrs. Geetha D Kulkarni (ACP), Dr. Ruksana Hassan (Psychologist & Social Worker), Lions G K Hariprasad Rai (Zone Chairperson), Mr. Rajesh Shetty (Sr. Divisional Controller, KSRTC), Mr. N V Paulose (Chairman, Global TV), Mr. Sakshath Shetty (Founder, Shashwath Seva Foundation), and Dr. Jnaneshwar Pai Maroor (Principal, NIPE). The blood donation drive saw over 30 donors, including students, staff, KSRTC personnel and the general public, actively contributing to the cause. The initiative successfully reinforced the spirit of social responsibility and community service.

The Department of Public Health Dentistry, AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences in association with Indian Cancer Society, conducted a free Anti-tobacco Awareness and Oral Health Awareness Camp at DK ZP Govt. Higher Primary School, Kumpala on 15.01.2025. Oral health & Oral cancer awareness was provided, emphasizing the ill effects of tobacco, the influence of tobacco industry on children, and measures to protect children from the ill effects of tobacco

Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy organized a 5-day physiotherapy camp at Nitte Gajria Specialty Hospital, Karkala from 17th to 21st February 2025 to provide physiotherapy services to individuals in need, focusing on pain management, rehabilitation and improving functional mobility. Special emphasis was placed on follow-up care to ensure continued patient progress.

The Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, ABSMIDS conducted a cancer awareness program on the occasion of the International Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon’s Day on 13th February 2025 at Glass House, KS Hegde Hospital emphasizing the crucial theme “Early detection and Prevention of oral cancer” aligning with AOMSI guidelines

The awareness initiative, conducted on 20th January 2025 at Vimshathi Bhavan, ABSMIDS as part of the regular educational programs by the Block Education Office (Mangalore South) in collaboration with N-SPECC and AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, aimed to educate children and caregivers on the detrimental effects of prolonged mobile phone usage.

The Department of Public Health Dentistry, ABSMIDS in association with the Lions Club, Metro Gold conducted a free dental screening camp at Mangala English Medium School, Mannagudda on 27.03.2025. Oral health education was given to the school of children followed by a dental screening. 58 students had dental caries; malocclusion was identified in 4 students and chronic generalized marginal gingivitis in 17 students.

The Department of Public Health Dentistry, ABSMIDS in association with Justice KS Hegde Dental Clinic, Nitte and Dept. of Psychiatry, KSHEMA conducted an Oral Health Awareness Camp on 20th March 2025 to commemorate the World Oral Health Day 2025. Around 80 beneficiaries including the patients visiting the dental Centre and inmates of the Psychiatry Rehabilitation Centre were imparted dental health awareness through exhibition of models and charts pertaining to causes, initiation, progression and consequences of oral diseases. Around 15 inmates were given dental health awareness through recreational activities and hands-on sessions about tooth brushing techniques.

Nitte University is a vocal advocate for gender equality. The Gender Sensitization Committee of NUCSER celebrated the “International Day of Girls & Women in Science" on February 14, 2025, to raise awareness of the gender gap in STEM fields. This is being formalized into year-round mentorship programs.