Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development: with deep roots in forestry towards a "whole institution approach" in sustainability

Peter Spathelf,Wilhelm-Günther Vahrson

doi:10.36930/40291004

Abstract

Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is a University of Applied Sciences in Brandenburg and one of Germany's greenest universities with 4 faculties and a unique profile. The basic principle of HNEE is sustainability, anchored in the mission statement, 'Mit der Natur für den Menschen' (With nature for mankind), and research is focused in the three areas: Sustainable rural development; Sustainable production and use of natural products, and Sustainable management of limited resources. HNEE provides several innovative study programs, such as Forestry, Organic Farming, Wood Technology, International Forest Ecosystem Management on Bachelor level. On Master level the study programs are Regional Management, Global Change Management, Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Forest Information Technology, a double-degree program together with Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Furthermore, HNEE's portfolio is complemented with further education Master programs such as Strategic Sustainability Management. The Higher Education Institution at Eberswalde has a long history going back to the early 19th century when it was a Faculty of the Berlin University. During the Cold War the Faculty was closed due to political reasons. After German reunification, among others a University of Applied Sciences was founded, with focus on practical application. The current situation of HNEE is described emphasizing the so-called 'Whole Institution Approach', i.e. sustainability is seen as an integrative concept for human life and economic development. The Whole Institution Approach encompasses a sound environmental management program aiming at zero emissions. Last but not least, some features of the Faculty of Forest and Environment are outlined. Especially worth to be mentioned is the international focus of the faculty, with four international study programs and many research topics of international relevance. Moreover, the Centre for Economics and Ecosystem Management is attached to the faculty.

Highlights

The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Hochschule für NachhaltigeEntwicklung Eberswalde − HNEE) is a University of Applied Sciences in Brandenburg, near to Berlin
HNEE is Germany's greenest university with a unique profile focusing on sustainable development
Priorities of the research are focused in the three areas: Sustainable rural development; Sustainable production and use of natural products, and Sustainable management of limited resources

Summary

Introduction

The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Hochschule für Nachhaltige. Entwicklung Eberswalde − HNEE) is a University of Applied Sciences in Brandenburg, near to Berlin. Whilst the mission statement of the Ukrainian National Forestry University (UNFU) is: "Ad naturam vivere discimus" (We learn to live with nature) Both universities have many thing in common: starting with deep roots in forestry, many similar careers and – most important – an ecologically based understanding of sustainability. But only at the same time and by no means due to Río, the Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences in Brandenburg started its business with 45 forestry students after the political change in Germany, exactly on April 1st, 1992. Soon after the fall of communism, IFE staff members were involved in the (re-) opening of a forestry faculty at the Humboldt University of Berlin in Eberswalde, which led to the founding of the Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences, the current HNEE. In 2017 more than 2.200 students were enrolled in the different programs and the HNEE generated 438 graduates (Figure 1)

Ecosystem Management ture Conservation

Conclusion