Commitment to Sustainable Development
St. Pölten UAS Implements Targeted Measures for More Sustainability
The St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences takes the topic of sustainability very seriously and specifically promotes responsible action. Through the establishment of a sustainability strategy and concrete goals and measures, sustainable development is facilitated on all levels – both on location and in teaching and research. New educational offers such as the master degree programme Digital Management & Sustainability teach the students important competencies in social/ecological topics and prepare them for much sought-after positions as sustainability experts. A public lecture series offers everyone interested in-depth insights into various aspects of sustainability.
Mission for the future
The St. Pölten UAS sets great store by sustainable action in teaching, research, and on the campus itself, actively supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and is a member of the “Bündnis Nachhaltige Hochschulen” (sustainable universities alliance).
“For us, sustainability is not a short-lived trend but a mission for the future. We want to contribute our share to sustainable development and ensure the future viability of our organisation”, says UAS Executive Director Johann Haag.
New Sustainability Coordinator at the St. Pölten UAS
Viktoria Leitner has been the new Sustainability Coordinator of the St. Pölten UAS since this summer. The biotechnology and environmental technology graduate manages the development of the organisation’s institutional sustainability strategy and contributes her expertise both to the new master degree programme Digital Management & Sustainability and to the strategic orientation of the UAS.
“As an educational institution, we bear great responsibility. After all, we shape tomorrow’s decision-makers. Through our course contents, but also through the values we practise, we contribute significantly to the development of society”, emphasises Leitner.
Sustainability on Campus: Photovoltaic System in Operation
Even during the construction stage of the new Campus St. Pölten, the focus was on sustainability, and the building received an award for “sustainable educational building” from the Austrian Sustainable Building Council (ÖGNI). A photovoltaic system on the campus roof was recently put into operation and generates approximately 525,000 kWh of electricity per year, which means annual savings of roughly 100,000 EUR in energy costs and 118 tonnes in CO2 emissions.
“With targeted measures, such as the installation of PV systems on municipal buildings, we are taking significant steps in the fight against climate change and can also reduce electricity costs,” says Mayor Matthias Stadler. “St. Pölten is on its way to becoming a Green Cool City - and St. Pölten UAS is making a significant contribution to this with the new PV system.”
Teaching: New Study Programme and Public Lecture Series
The winter semester 2024/25 has seen the launch of the new master degree programme Digital Management & Sustainability at the St. Pölten UAS. This part-time degree programme imparts economic know-how and competencies for social/ecological topics. The students learn how to strategically integrate management, innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability in companies.
Within the framework of a free, public lecture series, experts address different areas of the sustainability topic. The main objective of the “Sustainable Futures” lecture series is to give the participants the knowledge, skills, and perspectives that they need to actively commit themselves to sustainability. The lecture series is open to everyone interested.
All dates and topics of the lecture series can be found here.
Research on Digitalisation and Greening
The Institute for Innovation Systems of the St. Pölten UAS accompanies all actors affected by digitalisation and greening through their upcoming transformation processes.