UN sustainability goals part of master's programmes and scholarship
Since the autumn 2019 term, UN Sustainability Development Goals have been linked to all master’s programmes at KTH, and now they are part of the application process for the university’s scholarships.
Beginning with the opening of applications December 1, the KTH Scholarship asks candidates to describe how they can contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals with a degree from KTH. To help applicants answer, they are also provided with descriptions of how each programme relates to sustainable development.
The 17 goals, often referred to as the SDGs, take aim at 169 individual targets within both industrialized and developing countries, with the purpose of ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring the well-being of all human beings.
“KTH has a responsibility to train engineers and scientists who are capable of and committed to working toward a sustainable society,” says Christina Murray, who is International Adviser to the President. “Sustainability is an integral part of KTH’s operations and spirit – and linking to these goals strengthens our commitment to a brighter future.”
Each master’s programme has selected a maximum of three specific SDGs of particular relevance that the programme addresses.
For example, the master’s programmes offered by the School of Industrial Engineering and Management, address a total of seven SDGs, including:
- Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
- Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
One of the school’s programmes, Materials Science, includes a project that aims to replace coking coal, traditionally needed for ore-based steel making, with fossil free energy and hydrogen - says Anders Malmquist, Associate Professor and Programme Director of master's programme in Sustainable Energy Engineering.
“So as a student you will meet researchers who are involved in that research and learn directly from them about their work in this area,” Malmquist says.
The connection with the SDGs is further underlined by the introduction of a sustainability motivation, as an added criterium to academic excellence, on the application for the KTH Scholarship. The scholarship is a state-funded, two-year tuition fee waiver that is awarded annually.
David Callahan