Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) has been selected as one of 119 universities in the nationwide competition organised by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education (StIL) to promote innovative teaching and learning settings. With the "Eberswalde Study Model (EStM)" project, HNEE is strengthening its pioneering role in higher education for sustainable development and taking a further step towards sustainable teaching. Over the next six years, the forward-looking model will be funded with around 6.1 million euros.

Prof Dr Uta Steinhardt, Vice President for Studies and Teaching at HNEE, is delighted with this great success: "Especially in times of scarce resources, this funding is a decisive impetus for the further development of our university teaching."

At the centre of the Eberswalde Study Model (EStM) is the question of what skills students need in order to actively participate in shaping a sustainable future. HNEE pursues a holistic approach that combines subject and methodical expertise, key competences for sustainable development and personal and social skills. In order to systematically anchor the model in the university, the project is focussing on three central lines of development: Firstly, the course content will be further developed so that sustainability and skills development are firmly anchored in all curricula. Secondly, physical, digital and hybrid learning environments are being designed to be flexible and future-orientated. In addition, learning support is being rethought in order to support students individually and reflectively on their path and also to qualify teachers accordingly.

"With the EStM, we are creating a teaching structure that integrates sustainability not only thematically but also structurally into teaching. We are delighted that this approach has now also been recognised externally by the Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching. The recognition from the StIL is a strong signal for us and an incentive to continue resolutely on the path we have chosen," says Prof. Dr Uta Steinhardt.

Science Minister Dr Manja Schüle also emphasises that HNEE can further expand its pioneering role with the Eberswalde study model: "Practical, strong in research, sustainable: At HNEE, solutions are being developed for the pressing issues of sustainability transformation towards a more socio-ecological way of life and economy. Now their 'Eberswalde Study Model' project has been selected in the nationwide competition organised by the Foundation for Innovation in University Teaching to promote innovative teaching and learning settings. Congratulations! This enables HNEE to build on its pioneering role in higher education for sustainable development, which has already won several awards. More than ever, anyone who wants to make a concrete commitment to more responsible development has the best prerequisites for doing so by studying in Eberswalde!"

The funding emphasises HNEE's claim to rethink excellent and practice-oriented higher education. The Science Council has already recognised HNEE in the past for its special teaching profile - as one of the few universities in Brandenburg. The national award "Education for Sustainable Development" 2024 also confirms the university's pioneering role. With the EStM, HNEE is developing a transferable blueprint for other universities that want to embed sustainability as a structural principle in teaching and learning. The newly created internal structure within HNEE provides the organisational backbone for successful implementation - and thus for a profound cultural change towards a future-oriented, learning institution.