Within the study programmes it offers, the UL is actively working to strengthen learning and practical content related to sustainable development, healthy lifestyles, and the digital transformation.
Education for a sustainable transition as one of the key areas of sustainable transformation in higher education
In its guidelines for the sustainable transformation of higher education, which are aligned with the vision and provisions of the European Green Deal, the European University Association (EUA), of which the UL is a member, identifies four key areas in which universities should work towards a sustainable transformation of their own processes and through which they can also contribute to broader societal change in relation to the sustainability transition. These areas include:
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education and curriculum reform
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research and innovation (knowledge creation)
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community engagement and societal impact (social responsibility)
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operations (e.g. infrastructure, organisational processes)
Project ULTRA
In the area of education and curriculum reform, the UL is currently involved in the development and implementation of the UL for Sustainable Development (ULTRA) project, a comprehensive project consisting of 11 different inter- and multidisciplinary pilot projects. The ULTRA project is carried out within the framework of the Reform of Higher Education for a Green and Resilient Transition to Society 5.0 (2022-2026) that is itself part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The individual pilot projects that are a part of this project are thus aimed at a comprehensive reform of professionall study programmes in higher education. This reform includes the development of skills and practices to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and follows the guidelines for the sustainable and digital transformation of higher education.
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Number of professional study programmes reformed
29
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Number of courses in the reformed professional study programmes
> 60
The importance of curriculum reform
The long-term future of universities depends on offering programmes of study, research, and innovation that convey the necessary knowledge and skills to address such challenges at national and transnational level.
EUA, 2023
Sustainability course mapping at the UL
The UL carried out a comprehensive sustainability course mapping with the objective to build a sustainability course inventory for all study levels and to assess to what degree the UL's activities and curricula align with the principles and values of the SDGs. The courses were categorised by:
- the overall level of their integration of sustainability-related topics; and
- by the specific SDGs they address.
This contribution can be an important starting point for further discussions and plans for reforming the UL curriculum to support the vision of a sustainable transition for higher education institutions and society at large.
The mapping covered 75.2% of all courses offered in the academic year 2023/24 by the UL.
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Number of courses directly/indirectly addressing sustainability-related topics
10.997
(sustainability-focused courses are excluded)
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Number of sustainability-focused courses
659
Number of sustainability-focused courses by study cycle (2023/24):
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240
Bachelor's study programmes
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326
Master's study programmes
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93
Doctoral study programmes
SDGs included in/addressed by the higest number of courses
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4 - Quality education
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3 - Good health and well-being
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9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure
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11 - Sustainable cities and communities