Studying for the transformation in the agricultural and food sector

The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is launching the transdisciplinary Bachelor's degree programme "Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems" (Ernährungs- & Agrarkultur nachhaltig gestalten) or "ErnA" for short, in the coming winter semester. HNEE will receive two new professorships for this programme. With today's signing of the funding agreements at the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture (MWFK) with the Alnatura Foundation and Naturschutzbund Deutschland e. V. (NABU), another important milestone has been reached following official approval by the MWFK.

In view of the growing global challenges, the young generation is increasingly looking for effective ways to help shape sustainable change in key areas. Sustainable agricultural and food systems are recognised as one of the six designated transformation areas of the German Sustainable Development Strategy of 2021 for achieving the global sustainability goals. This makes it all the more important to develop and implement practical solutions for the transformation in this area.

The six-semester "ErnA" degree programme teaches the specialist and design skills required to develop practical solutions along the entire value chain, based on values and aligned with the key competencies for sustainability, systemically and with an even stronger practical focus. Students are enabled to put these into practice during their studies through the two practical phases anchored in the curriculum as well as several project modules together with practice partners. As a result, students not only gain insights into different professional fields during their studies, but also receive targeted support and encouragement from lecturers and practitioners as part of their individual profiling. The teaching of design skills during the ErnA degree programme is anchored in the curriculum in a variety of ways. What is unique to date is that students are already taught artistic-creative methods and techniques in the first semester, in addition to subject and methodological content, in order to expand the range of possibilities for new ideas and approaches that cannot be achieved with conventional cognitive methods.

The "ErnA" degree programme primarily provides initial vocational training with a scientific basis that enables graduates to become active in a wide range of different professional fields - be it in the food industry, in the food trade, in organic farming, but also in associations in the aforementioned fields, in consumer protection or in NGOs. There is a wide range of possible applications. If you are interested in gaining further academic qualifications, HNEE Master's degree programmes in the fields of food management, organic farming, sustainable business or nature conservation are the preferred choice.

"Our central concern is to play an active role in the sustainability transformation of society. On the one hand, it is important to respond to current and future needs by developing and introducing innovative study programmes, but even more important to proactively provide impetus as an educational and research institution. The complex task of implementing sustainability in the food and agricultural sector requires not only sound specialist knowledge and a strong, reciprocal exchange between theory and practice, but also design skills, the acquisition of which is given high priority in the degree programme. I am particularly pleased about the establishment of two new professorships at HNEE and am very grateful for the commitment of the Alnatura Foundation and NABU. Both professorships not only strengthen our research topics, but will also perfectly complement the focus in the training of our change agents," said the President of HNEE, Prof. Dr Matthias Barth.

Science Minister Dr Manja Schüle welcomes the introduction of the new degree programme and the signing of the funding agreements: "We are facing a complex problem with climate change for which there are no simple solutions: We need to reunite our linear economy with the circular logic of nature. This requires more than just climate-neutral technologies and transport routes. It also requires different structures of cultivation and action. It is precisely this multidimensional understanding of agriculture and nutrition that the new Bachelor's degree programme promotes. Thanks to HNEE for the idea and the initiative, thanks to NABU and the Alnatura Foundation for their generous support! This cooperation stands for a future 'made in Brandenburg'."

The Alnatura Foundation is funding the professorship "Technologies for the sustainable production and quality assurance of plant-based foods" for a period of three years with the option to extend for a further two years following a successful evaluation. "The new bachelor's degree programme "Shaping a sustainable food and agricultural culture" is a targeted response to the key issue of sustainability in the agriculture and food industry. We are delighted that Alnatura is able to support the establishment of this degree programme. I wish the university, its new degree programme, the professors and, above all, the young students all the best and good luck, great experiences and learning moments around their topic," said the founder and CEO of the Alnatura Foundation, Prof. Dr. Götz E. Rehn.

NABU will financially support the professorship "Psychology and Marketing in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Management" for two years and also the establishment of a laboratory for product development and sensor technology at HNEE. NABU Federal Managing Director Leif Miller: "Making agriculture and the food industry sustainable and nature-friendly is a task that future generations will also have to face. The new degree programme will make an important contribution to providing young people with the tools they need to master the challenges ahead and make our agricultural and food system fit for the future in harmony with nature. I am delighted that NABU can make an important contribution to this as a sponsor."

Endowed professorships have established themselves as a way of establishing new specialisms and helping to raise the profile of universities. The university then undertakes to continue funding the professorships.

Applications can be submitted from now until 5 September 2023. Modalities, deadlines, admission requirements and contact persons can be found online on the new HNEE website.

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