Engineer a sustainable future

15 May 2019

The important issue of sustainability is rising to the top of agendas of governments and organisations all around the world. Environmental conservation, social responsibility, and economic development are three key areas where the effects of climate change and carbon emissions must be factored in.

As nations get more developed and globalisation becomes more prevalent, solutions must be created now to ensure a more sustainable future and tackle this global challenge. Engineers will play a huge role in coming decades as they are tasked with creating innovative solutions to ensure buildings, environments, machinery, manufacturing, and so forth are built with sustainability in mind.

More and more corporations will be looking towards engineers who can come up with these novel and effective ways to make their businesses more sustainable and ensure they are being environmentally responsible. Therefore, there is a need to provide engineering students with a quality education in engineering that gives them the chance to work in cutting-edge research that can lead to scientific breakthroughs in sustainability.

Source: University of Oulu

They also need to be given opportunities to develop a creative and analytical mindset so they are able to think and act innovatively when they enter the workforce. This will ensure they graduate as dynamic engineers backed by a solid academic foundation as well as real-world learning experiences.

Here are four universities in Europe that are leading the way for Engineering degrees where sustainability solutions and research in this area are at the forefront of their course programmes.

UNIVERSITY OF OULU – FINLAND

The University of Oulu is one of the largest universities in Finland, promoting learning and carrying out research that pushes the boundaries of the known.

The two campuses provide exceptional possibilities for cutting edge research and education complemented by a welcoming atmosphere.University of Oulu takes a multidisciplinary approach to creating sustainability through the responsible and smart use of natural resources.

Supporting this agenda, engineering students at this university are encouraged to use their full potential to contribute to solving some of the greatest global challenges, including sustainable resource use, responsible business, human wellbeing and lifelong health, intelligent systems and services development, and harnessing environmental risks.

Source: University of Oulu

Students in the Master of Science (Technology) in Environmental Engineering programme graduate well-equipped to create innovative eco-solutions, from getting involved in multidisciplinary studies that combine process engineering to environmental engineering.

Through the programme, students are also given the opportunity to develop the relevant skills needed to solve environmental problems and challenges in the different areas of the field of environmental engineering.

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER – UK

This highly-ranked university in the United Kingdom is committed to environmental sustainability in both teaching and research.

The School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science at is no exception, for its work has a direct impact on society, industry, health, economy, and more in terms of sustainability.

This institution has a demonstrated history in leading ground-breaking research to make chemical processing more efficient and sustainable by saving energy, reducing waste and minimising chemical solvents.

Master’s degree graduates in Chemical Engineering can deepen their expertise and knowledge of biotechnology and environmental issues as they partake in the extensive research, supported by state-of-the-art facilities that give them a competitive edge when they enter the workforce.

Most graduates enjoy high rates of employability due to the recognition of the quality education at the university, as well as the extensive research-based experience gained during their course programmes.

Source: University of Manchester

UNIVERSTIY OF BELGRADE – SERBIA

The Institute of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, housed within the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Belgrade, Serbia, promotes up-to-date research activities related to current environmental issues.

These include research in urban water management, hydroinformatics, environmental impact assessment, protection of environment, hydraulic of surface and subsurface flow, river basin management, hydrology, irrigation and drainage, and more.

The Institute has a long-standing history of joint participation in research and industrial projects and exchange of students and lecturers through collaboration with foreign universities and international institutions such as UNESCO (IHP UNESCO), UN organisations (UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and universities and research institutions such as University of Exeter, Kyoto University, Imperial College London, Monash University, and more.

The Institute of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering hosts four laboratories: laboratory for sanitary engineering, laboratory for fluid mechanics and fluid flow measurement, laboratory for hydrometry and hydrology, and laboratory for hydraulics and waterway regulation.

UNIVERSITY OF PADUA – ITALY

The Second Cycle Degree in Environmental Engineering at Italy’s University of Padua (Università Degli Studi Di Padova) prepares students to design and manage engineering solutions with minimal impact on the social and physical environment via a multidisciplinary approach.

Students graduate well-equipped with advanced professional and scientific knowledge on the interrelations between the various physical, biological and chemical processes involved in environmental systems or systems that interact with the environment.

Source: University of Padua

This enables them to further their careers in agencies and organizstions for environmental protection and or land management; public administrations, at the national, regional, provincial and municipal levels; construction companies operating within the fields of land protection and environmental restoration, and more.