New Delhi

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has urged higher educational institutions in the national capital to strengthen ties between academia, society, government and industry, while directing research and outreach efforts toward pressing urban challenges such as pollution, water scarcity, traffic congestion and mental health.

Chairing an agenda-setting interaction with vice-chancellors and directors of universities and higher educational institutions under the Delhi government, Sandhu stressed the need to equip students with skills that improve employability and encourage entrepreneurship, officials said on Thursday.

As Chancellor of these institutions, the Lieutenant Governor also advised universities to sensitise students toward reducing fossil fuel consumption by promoting public transport use and carpooling.

Officials noted that Sandhu suggested the nearly three lakh students enrolled across these institutions could become ambassadors of behavioural change by influencing their families, peers and social networks.

“He also called for greater student participation in issues such as women’s safety, traffic decongestion, environmental sustainability, water conservation, groundwater recharge and waste management,” officials said.

“The universities and institutions could, and should, become vehicles of Delhi Behavioural Change Mission,” the LG was quoted as saying.

During the meeting, Sandhu highlighted several priority areas where universities should undertake collaborative and data-driven research initiatives.

On air quality and environmental issues, institutions were encouraged to focus on pollution sources, mitigation technologies, green urban planning and the public health impact of poor air quality in Delhi.

Officials added that universities were also asked to conduct research on equitable water distribution, groundwater depletion, rejuvenation of the Yamuna River and solid and liquid waste management to address the city’s growing urban needs.

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Highlighting Delhi’s traffic and mobility challenges, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised the importance of research on traffic decongestion, last-mile connectivity, electric vehicle adoption and intelligent transport systems.