As part of the DAAD-funded SDG Partnerships project “Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals – A Comparative Approach in India, Nepal, and Germany,” our students Thomas Nass, Serhan Karagöl and Mike Hellerspent the period from September to mid-December 2024 studying at Symbiosis Law School in Pune, India.
They attended courses taught in English by professors at the host university, broadening their academic knowledge, particularly in sustainability. They gained valuable insights into the Indian legal perspective on sustainability and environmental law. Among other activities, they visited Praj Industries to deepen their understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
They also engaged in practical environmental protection activities and learned how global challenges can be addressed at the local level. For example, they met the founders of ExploreiT and actively participated in two tree-planting initiatives – one on a military site and another in the butterfly garden of Deccan University College. These activities were carried out with students from Symbiosis Law School, Pune, with whom they also initiated a student tree-planting group. In the long term, these students in India will continue to organise tree-planting activities at the university. As part of the knowledge transfer, the German students developed and shared a comprehensive blueprint for the future planning and implementation of student-led tree-planting initiatives.
In addition to gaining academic knowledge and engaging in social and environmental activities, the students had the opportunity to experience Indian culture more closely. They visited several iconic cities, including Mumbai, Bangalore, and Mysore. These experiences provided them with deeper insights into India’s social and cultural diversity.
We are delighted with the success of their stay and warmly welcome them back!
The students participating in the 2024 DAAD SDG exchange project visited Symbiosis Law School in Pune, India. Kathmandu University – School of Law in Nepal is also a partner institution in this exchange project. The students for the 2025 exchange semester have already been nominated.
We look forward to enabling more BELS students to participate in this exchange and to benefit from an international academic experience. Students interested in the 2026 project are welcome to contact Dr. Ruth Areli García León, the project coordinator, for further information.
