Working Group for Sustainability in Education
In its strategy, the University of Turku sets as one of its strategic objectives to educate the builders of a changing world. The Steering Group for Sustainable Development has set up a working group to promote the integration of sustainability in education.
Sustainability in Education
The University of Turku graduates are visionaries for the changing world who have excellent skills to work with competence and ambition in demanding positions, both nationally and internationally.
Working Group for Sustainability in Education has the following tasks:
- To promote the integration of sustainability into the teaching of the University of Turku
- To support the University's teaching staff in identifying sustainability contents in teaching and to monitor the number of courses identified
- Plan sustainability training for staff, including capacity building for teaching staff
- Develop sustainability education, taking into account opportunities for cooperation and interaction with other higher education institutions at regional, national and international level
The working group is also tasked to raise awareness of the various opportunities for studying sustainability at the University of Turku.
Working Group for Sustainability in Education
The Chair of the working group for 2024-2025 is Assistant Professor Mikko Tikkanen. The Coordinators are Specialist in Sustainable Development Jutta Mäkinen and Education Coordinator Minna Lintala.
Members of the Working Group:
- Assistant Professor Mikko Tikkanen (Chair), Faculty of Techology
- Education Coordinator Minna Lintala (Coordinator), Educational Affairs
- Specialist in Sustainable Development Jutta Mäkinen (Coordinator), Steering Unit
- Lecturer Eila Matikainen, Faculty of Education
- University Lecturer Pia Koivunen, Faculty of Humanities
- University Teacher Elina Raitanen, Faculty of Law
- Senior Advisor Hanna Lagström, Faculty of Medicine
- Senior Research Fellow Sari Puustinen, Turku School of Economics
- University Teacher Sini Laari, Turku School of Economics
- University Lecturer Anni Arponen, Faculty of Science
- Coordinator Pasi Nurmi, Faculty of Science
- University Teacher Jarno Tuominen, Faculty of Social Sciences
- International Affairs Specialist Hanna Kiiskilä, Student Union of the University of Turku
Studying sustainability at the University of Turku
Sustainable development in the study guide
In the study guide, courses with sustainable development related contents are tagged with sustainable development under the courses classification. Courses with sustainability contents can be found in all of the eight faculties and,in the current study guide more than 800 courses taught at the university have received this classification.
For the time being, it is not possible to search for courses with this classification in the Peppi study guide, but students can check individual courses in the study guide to see if there is a classification for sustainable development.
Sustainability studies available for students from all faculties
Examples of studies available for students from all faculties:
SUST0001 Introduction to Sustainability, 2 ECTS
IN the fall 2024 the University of Turku launched its first course available for all students on sustinability - Introduction to Sustainability, 2 ECTS. The course provides knowledge and understanding of the basics of sustainability. The course is research-based and combines the research perspectives to sustainability from experts from different disciplines of the University of Turku. Read more about SUST0001
Sustainable Development Studies (KEKO)
Sustainable Development Studies (Minor) consists of a mandatory core course KEKO1 (10 cr) and optional courses KEKO2 (min. 15 cr; exchange students min. 2 cr). The optional courses from different faculties provide deeper understanding of the different dimensions of sustainability, whereas the core course invites the students to apply these perspectives to a case analysis, and demonstrates how sustainability can only be achieved by developing collaborative expertise.
Application period is open from May to September.
Sustainable Development Studies (KEKO)
In addition to these examples, the different faculties of the University of Turku offer study modules that are partly open to students from other faculties as well.
National Networks and study opportunities
The University of Turku is also involved in national educational cooperation:
- Climate University Climate University – Teaching and learning for sustainable future
- Network for sustainability studies Front page - Sustainability Studies Network
- Biodiversity education network of Finnish universities Biodiversity Education Network
- UniPID-Finnish University Partnership for International Development Virtual Studies programme
