On May 23, 2023, the "Bavarian Certificate" for Sustainable Development was awarded for the first time in Bavaria. Recipient of this high-quality qualification certificate: Niklas Wettberg, student of the master's program "Industrial Engineering" at Landshut University of Applied Sciences. The certificate was presented by Prof. Dr. Petra Tippmann-Krayer, Dean of the implementing Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Industrial Engineering, and Prof. Dr. Markus Schmitt, Chairman of the Examination Board.
Niklas Wettberg, enthusiastic recipient of the certificate, is visibly satisfied: "I think it's great that this certificate offer was established in time for my graduation. After all, during my bachelor's and master's studies, I took advantage of the elective options specifically for sustainability-oriented modules out of my own interest. The fact that this is now also formally recognized makes it easier for me to make this part of my education visible to companies as well."
The "Sustainable Development" education certificate has been available at Landshut University's Faculty of Electrical and Industrial Engineering since the summer semester of 2023. It meets the quality requirements ("Bayernzertifikat") of the state-wide "Network University and Sustainability Bavaria" (NHNB), which includes more than 30 state and state-recognized universities and universities of applied sciences. Consequently, the Bayernzertifikat enjoys great recognition.
The Bavaria Certificate places particular emphasis on a broad coverage of the contents of sustainable development, on the acquisition of up to 13 specific competencies, and on different didactic teaching and examination methods. For example, at least one examination must be completed in a project or practical module. A total of at least 15 ECTS credits must be earned in order to obtain the certificate.
Prof. Dr. Markus Schmitt emphasizes the great flexibility that the Bavarian Certificate gives the implementing universities: "Each university can create its own modules or use existing ones in accordance with the credit criteria. At Landshut University of Applied Sciences, we have always had a great deal of freedom of choice and sustainability-oriented modules in the industrial engineering courses. We can credit these for the education certificate. Thus, our students have the chance to acquire the certificate within their regular degree programs at the same time."
These sustainability-oriented modules include, for example, sustainable management, material flow management and waste management, business and corporate ethics. In addition, there are Studium Generale modules, such as the Sustainability Workshop and "Impact for Future: Sustainability and Social Impact." Bachelor's and Master's theses are also credited with 6 ECTS points if they deal predominantly and comprehensively with sustainability topics.
For the Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Industrial Engineering, Prof. Dr. Petra Tippmann-Krayer, the introduction of the Bavaria Certificate at her faculty is a milestone: "At our faculty, we have already dealt intensively with sustainability requirements in recent years - initially from our traditional disciplines. However, we see that companies and society want and need to approach sustainable development holistically. That's why we support concepts that are broader and more comprehensive in technical terms. The Bavaria Certificate is a door opener for this type of training. I am very pleased about the great commitment of Prof. Schmitt and all involved colleagues of the faculty for this first, certainly not last future-oriented educational offer."
Further information is available at these links:
- Nachhaltigkeit: Hochschule Landshut (haw-landshut.de)
- Arbeitsgruppe Zertifikat - nachhaltigehochschules Webseite!
- „Bundesweit einmalig“: Hochschulen gründen Thinktank für Nachhaltigkeit (bayern.de)
