Interdisciplinary, practice- and project-oriented sustainable business education in a Swiss university of applied sciences and arts

Abstract

Business students are highly motivated to apply entrepreneurial principles to deal with real-world problems. However, tertiary business education continues to emphasize theory over practice and abstract models over real-life problem-solving. Two related courses in the internationally-oriented IBM bachelor degree programme of the School of Business of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) seek to provide a student-driven, project- oriented, international and interdisciplinary learning experience that extends beyond the conventional lecture format.The first course focuses on evaluating real-world examples of sustainability in economics. It thereby provides a framework for understanding sustainability challenges in the broader economic sphere and for identifying sustainability opportunities in the business world. The second course focuses on presentation skills in English through the preparation of an entry for the Swiss Sustainability Challenge. The aim of the course is to teach communication skills through a motivating entrepreneurial project in which students can apply the knowledge gained in the course on sustainable economics.Together the courses aim to promote independent project creation amongst students in an international context. The objective is to inspire entrepreneurial thinking, foster innovation and provide both intellectual and skills-based tools for leading and implementing the transformation across national borders towards a sustainable economy.