Sustainability certificate at the University of Hamburg

In Fall 2023, the University of Hamburg introduced a university-wide sustainability certificate with a small first cohort of 24 students. This certificate is intended to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and provide students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in the field. It is designed to be comprehensive and open to all University of Hamburg students, thus distinct from the subject-specific microcredential for Transformation in eine nachhaltige Zukunft offered by the Faculty for Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sicence.

Program content and structure

The course program for the sustainability certificate is made up of existing course formats, and integrates contributions from all University faculties. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to observe and understand sustainability topics from a range of academic perspectives.

Broad range of additional courses

In addition to regular courses, the sustainability certificate offers a wide range of workshops and field trips. These additional activities provide practical ways for students to broaden their knowledge and insights into the application of sustainability concepts. For example:

1. Workshops: Workshops deal with topics like sustainability at the University of Hamburg, and provide students with the opportunity to get involved with sustainability initiatives at the University of Hamburg.
2. Field trips: Field trips to the botanical gardens, or to companies like Beiersdorf allow students to get to know a range of sustainable practices in different contexts.

Co-creation with students

A particular characteristic of the sustainability certificate is the co-creation of the program with the first cohort of students. Students actively contribute to the design and further development of the program, to make it practical and needs-oriented. This participative approach ensures that the program will continuously improve, and represent the current needs and interests of the students.

The sustainability certificate program launched at the University of Hamburg in Fall 2023 offers students a unique opportunity to profoundly engage with sustainability issues. Its interdisciplinary course selection, wide range of supplementary activities, and active student involvement in program design ensures a comprehensive and practical education in the field of sustainability.