Sustainable development recognises that health, culture, financial prosperity and security are not separate, competing and hierarchical, but systemic and interdependent. There is growing international recognition of the importance educating people on the subject, in light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provided by the 2030 Agenda, adopted by United Nations member states in 2015. The role of education in achieving sustainability is underlined in SDG4: Quality Education. And since most decision makers in industry, business, community and politics are university graduates, universities must play a key role in ensuring that society becomes sustainable economically, socially and environmentally.
The University Centre for Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development (UCBS) – the interfaculty unit of the University of Warsaw, a leading university in Poland – has risen to the challenge by offering a new graduate programme commencing in the academic year 2019/20.
The programme offers insights into the complexity of sustainability challenges, as well as a variety of available solutions, based on contributions from nine faculties across the university, with a combination of experts in natural and social sciences.
By addressing sustainability challenges and finding solutions, students will obtain knowledge, competences and skills that will enable them to lead the interdisciplinary teams developing the local, regional and institutional policies and strategies on sustainable development.
Another advantage for students who undertake the new graduate programme is that they will become part of the University of Warsaw and UCBS communities. The university is more than 200 years old and the largest university in Poland, with around 50,000 students. UCBS represents the University of Warsaw in higher education international networks such as Copernicus Alliance on Sustainability and UN Environment Programme network Global Universities Partnership on Environment for Sustainability. It is also coordinating and hosting the Regional Centre for Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development: RCE Warsaw Metropolitan programme, recognised by the United Nations University.
More information: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/hub/nawa-polish-national-agency-academic-exchange/p/university-warsaw-helping-transition-towards