Climate University: Empowering Change through Sustainable Education

Welcome to Climate University, a resource bank for accessing a wealth of materials dedicated to the vital topics of sustainability and climate change. In a world where environmental awareness and action are more crucial than ever, the climate university platform provides comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible educational content produced by Finnish Higher Education Institutions.

Climate University is designed to empower learners and educators alike, providing a diverse range of resources to enhance your understanding of sustainability and the profound impact of climate change. Whether you’re a student eager to delve into these pressing subjects or an educator seeking valuable teaching materials, the climate university courses will support your journey towards a more sustainable future.

We, the coordinators at TAMK aim to create the awareness of the existence of the climate university materials and courses to facilitate learning, foster awareness, and inspire action. On the climateuniversity.fi website, you will find extensive resource of lectures, articles, videos, and more, all carefully curated to provide a well-rounded and informative experience. The materials cover a broad spectrum of topics, from climate science and renewable energy to conservation, policy, and climate change e.g., Biodiversity now, Circular now, Climate now, Leadership for sustainable change, Living with changing climate, Statistical tools for climate and atmospheric science.

Courses provided by Climate University are freely accessible online and cater to both universities and individuals seeking to actively contribute to the advancement of sustainability in our society. By offering easy access to these essential resources, we aim to empower students, teachers, and institutions to make informed decisions and contribute to a more sustainable world. These courses have been meticulously developed through collaborative efforts involving multiple universities in Finland, generously supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, and the participating universities. TAMK, as an affiliated member of CU, enjoys the privilege of unrestricted access to CU’s educational materials. This partnership empowers TAMK teachers to seamlessly integrate these resources into their courses or utilize them as standalone materials. The collaborative nature of this affiliation not only enriches the educational experience at TAMK but also underscores the commitment to fostering a dynamic and resourceful learning environment. Teachers are encouraged to explore and leverage CU materials to enhance the quality and diversity of their instructional content, ultimately benefiting both educators and students alike.

The first course developed using Climate University materials offered at TAMK was initially titled ‘Sustainable Leadership and Culture’ for Risk Management and Circular Economy master’s Program. Over time, this course has evolved into ‘Leadership and Intercultural Communication.’ The course curriculum incorporates materials from Climate University on Leadership for Sustainable Change, as well as theories on Intercultural Communication, including Hofstede’s six dimensions.

In this course, students analyse existing projects using cultural and leadership theories to assess both their successes and failures. The feedback from all implementations has been positive, with students expressing enthusiasm for the profound impact of culture on leadership, a point many of them highlight.

Towards the conclusion of the course, each group of students compiles a roadmap for leaders aiming to drive sustainability change, drawing insights from their course experiences and findings.

While these courses are open for anyone interested, we encourage you to explore further details and options available here at TAMK. It is possible to integrate one or more of the courses into the curriculum. If you are interested to do so, please feel free attend the workshop during TAMK conference 2024 for further information. Meanwhile, you can access study guidelines, and stay updated on Climate University developments by inviting our blog.

Authors: Emmanuel Abruquah and Eveliina Asikainen
Picture: NN100

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