University of Southern Denmark Esbjerg is starting a new green education programme

In 2024, it will be even easier to acquire skills within sustainability and the green transition in Esbjerg when the University of Southern Denmark launches its third MSc profile in Economics and Business Administration at the local campus.

The master’s programme, called Sustainability Management, combines business with sustainability and gives students the proficiency to lead organisations and companies towards greener practices, says study coordinator Stefanie Sohn.

- Our new master’s programme is a great choice for people who want to prepare companies and organisations for a more environmentally friendly and socially responsible future.

- The students will learn how to lead businesses and organisations in tackling environmental, social and economic challenges by developing new business ideas and strategies.

Need for green skills

The programme strengthens the University of Southern Denmark Esbjerg’s green education profile, which already includes a master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Management.

The new programme was created in collaboration with Education Esbjerg and meets the local demand for green skills, emphasises Director Lone Saaby.

- Our recent survey of local and regional companies’ labour shortages and future need for skills shows a huge demand.

- The survey shows that the green transition and circular economy are the areas where most companies expect a greater demand for skills in the future.

Frontrunner in sustainability and green transition

Like the two other local MSc profiles in Economics and Business Administration, the new master’s programme is part of the University of Southern Denmark’s Business School, which builds close relationships with the business community.

Therefore, the programme also focuses on the needs of companies, and the students work closely with the business community during the programme, explains Stefanie Sohn, who believes that the location in Esbjerg is a huge advantage for the new programme.

- The local and regional businesses are frontrunners in Denmark’s green transition. This means that students have a unique opportunity to work for companies that are driving the green transition, both during and after the programme.

- At the same time, companies gain direct access to some of the skills they want and need, she says.

Integrating the E1 concept

To further strengthen the connection to local businesses, the University of Southern Denmark is collaborating with Education Esbjerg to integrate elements of the E.1 concept into the new programme.

As part of the E.1 concept, students are given the opportunity to join a company right from the start of the programme, and in this way theoretical knowledge can be translated into specific work tasks.

In addition, the E.1 concept focuses on student well-being through mentoring programmes and facilitated conversations between the students.

- It is very gratifying that in conjunction with SDU we have found a solution where through the study programme and our E.1 concept, the students become even more closely linked to the companies in the Southwest Jutland area, says Lone Saaby.