The University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol is setting a standard by its sustainability strategy
“Our environment will be used up and damaged by our lifestyle if we do not do anything to counteract the problems. This development can only be stopped by changing everyone’s behavior. We want to lead the way as an institution, says Managing Director Dr. Thomas Madritsch, university of applied sciences professor at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol.
The University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol adopted a sustainability strategy. It divides the planned activities into five topic areas: sustainable buildings & operations, teaching measures, measures by and for university of applied sciences employees, measures for events & guests, and regular communication about the topic. The managing director of the institution summarizes by saying, “We want to deliberately set a standard with our activities and assume responsibility. The University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol is aiming for a leadership role when it comes to environmentally friendly sustainable operations.”
The University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol commits itself to responsible action in the preface of its sustainability strategy. It wants to act in a way that is environmentally friendly and saves resources, pays attention to sustainability, and thus makes an important contribution to preserving the environment. Alternative sources of energy, energy-saving measures, or the use of sustainable products play just as important of a role as the health of all people at the university of applied sciences and regional food do. The goal of the higher education institution in Kufstein is to cause all university of applied sciences employees, teachers, and students to have an awareness and to change behavior and first and foremost to bring out the main points as a trendsetter.
The topic areas were adopted and responsible persons were named. The next step is to to have working groups examine processes and solutions at the university of applied sciences for sustainability in order to identify optimization potential. Dr. Mario Döller, university of applied sciences president and professor explains, “Teaching & research would also like to make a contribution to sustainability. New research topics and new content for lesson plans are including a lot of people at our higher education institution. This keeps this important topic in our awareness.”
Measures that already been implemented
For a long time, the university of applied sciences in Kufstein has been working on measures to keep expenses for operating the institution as low as possible for economic reasons alone. The building has been cooled by groundwater for many years, and sustainable building materials and solar and photovoltaic systems are used. The university of applied sciences has its own e-filling station in the underground parking garage, and business trips are taken by electric car and public transportation as much as possible. Systematic, building-wide waste sorting encompasses all areas of the campus. Other measures came about by digitization plans such as seamless, digital student administration or by new teaching methods such as increased online courses that limit trips to the university of applied sciences and thus save time and energy.
New study program in the topic area of sustainability
Work has also been carried out in the study programs regarding ambitious goals for more sustainability. A new study program has been developed that focuses on Energy & Sustainability Management*. The study program Facility & Real Estate Management has also integrated sustainability topics into its teaching and positioned itself in a way that is more contemporary.
More details about the new Energy & Sustainability Management* study program
The new bachelor degree program Energy & Sustainability Management* is geared toward qualified specialists and dedicated school leavers who want to assist in innovatively and creatively shaping climate protection and the energy transformation. Sustainability concepts as well as digitization of the energy industry play an important role. The study program is a practice-oriented combination of technology, business administration, and management. Students develop an understanding for resource-optimized generation and transmission of energy as they learn about efficient usage of resources and understand market mechanisms for trading in regenerative energies. They become technical specialists for environmental and sustainability certifications and are able to implement regional energy and innovative mobility concepts. The study program is rounded off with a semester abroad, integrated practical projects, and an internship and thus offers comprehensive and sustainable education that is urgently needed on the labor market.
* subject to accreditation by AQ Austria