History of Our University
Origins
Forestry education was first established at the University of Berlin in 1821 by the forest scientist Wilhelm Pfeil. Nine years later, he recognised that forestry could not be taught effectively without access to a dedicated teaching forest.
With the support of Alexander von Humboldt, then an adviser to the Ministry of Finance, the "Höhere Forst Lehranstalt" (Higher Forestry Training Institute) was subsequently relocated to Eberswalde. Over the following years, it developed into a centre of excellence for forestry, timber and soil sciences, gaining international recognition.
Forestry experts such as Adam Schwappach and Alfred Dengler shaped the development of these disciplines. A strong focus on site-specific forestry and sustainable forest management has been a defining characteristic from the beginning.
Eberswalde Forestry Academy
Bernhard Danckelmann assumed leadership of the academy in 1866. Under his direction, it was renamed the Eberswalde Forestry Academy and achieved worldwide renown. His successor, Alfred Möller, continued to advance the academy by extending the period of study and building a new library and administration buildings.
Closure of the Academy
During the war years, teaching and research could only be maintained on a provisional basis. After the war, Professor Johannes Schubert campaigned tirelessly and demonstrated considerable diplomatic skill in advocating for the resumption of academic activities.
However, in 1963 the state party and government of the GDR brought this progress to an abrupt end and closed the Eberswalde faculty without replacement, despite its strong post-war development. It was not until after the political transition of 1989/90 that the faculty was restructured.
Re-establishment
On 1 April 1992, the university was re-established as the Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences. Since then, its range of degree programmes has steadily expanded. Sustainability has been a central focus in both teaching and research. In recognition of this development, the university was renamed the University for Sustainable Development in 2010. Since 2015, the abbreviation “(FH)” has no longer been part of the official name.
Chronicle of the HNEE
2024: | Winner of the German Sustainability Award in the "Education and Research" sector in the "Schools and Universities" branch |
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2024: | Eberswalde Institute for Biosphere Reserves, the Biosphere Reserves Institute (BRI), becomes a UNESCO Cat-2 Institute |
2023: | Foundation of the bachelor's degree programme "Designing sustainable food and agricultural culture" |
2023: | Finalist for the "German Sustainability Award" |
2023: | National award - ESD "Learning Centre" |
2022: | Start of the internal structural reform of the university |
2021: | New university mission statement |
2017: | Honoured with the EMAS Award |
2015: | Renaming of the Faculty of Wood Science and Technology to the Faculty of Wood Engineering |
2014: | Foundation of the Master's study programme "Sustainable Corporate Management" |
2014: | 1st climate-neutral university in Germany |
2013: | Foundation of the Master's study programme "Strategic Sustainability Management" |
2011: | Renaming of the Faculty of Business to the Faculty of Sustainable Business |
2010: | EMAS certification and honoured with the EMAS Award |
2010: | Foundation of the Master's study programme "Local Management" |
2010: | Renamed "Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development" |
2007: | Foundation of the Master's study programme "Marketing Management" |
2007: | Foundation of the Master's study programme "Organic Agricultural Management" |
2007: | Renaming of the Faculty of Forestry to the Faculty of Forest and Environment |
2007: | Introduction of a structured environmental management system |
2006: | Foundation of the Master's study programme "Global Change Management" |
2006: | Foundation of the Master's study programme "Regional Development & Nature Conservation" |
2005: | Start of the changeover to Bachelor-Master degrees |
2005: | Foundation of the Bachelor's degree programmes "Financial Management" and "Corporate Management" |
2005: | 1st Master Class Course Conference Renewable Energies |
2004: | Foundation of the Bachelor's degree programme "Organic Farming & Marketing" |
2004: | Foundation of the Bachelor's degree programme "Regional Management" |
2003: | Foundation of the Master's study programme "Sustainable Tourism Management" |
2002: | Renaming of the Faculty of Business Administration to the Faculty of Economics |
2002: | Foundation of the Master's study programme "Forest Information Technology" |
1999: | Elected as the first female student vice president in Germany - Anke Hollerbach |
1998: | Foundation of the Bachelor's degree programme "International Forest Ecosystem Management" |
1996: | Connection to the Internet (9.6kbit/s) |
1995: | 1st Eberswalde Wood Conference at the faculty of Wood Science and Technology |
1994: | Foundation of the Faculty of Business Administration |
1993: | Foundation of the faculty of Wood Science and Technology |
1993: | Foundation of the Landscape Management and Nature Conservation faculty |
1992: | Foundation of the faculty of Forestry |
1992: | Re-establishment as "Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences" |
1963: | Closure of the Eberswalde faculty |
1866: | Renamed "Forestry Academy" |
1830: | Foundation of the "Höhere Forst Lehranstalt" in Eberswalde |
