Sustainable and international management

Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences (RWU) has realigned its part-time master's program in business administration. The name "International Business Management & Sustainability" already indicates the focus: "Sustainability, internationality and leadership competence concentrated in one study program," summarizes Professor Dr. Barbara Niersbach, who will head the program starting in the winter semester of 2022. The topic of sustainability has been integrated into almost all modules, with an ecological as well as economic and social focus.

"Our aspiration," says Barbara Niersbach, "is for our students to learn the management trade, but under the big umbrella of sustainability. That's not just about a carbon footprint, but also about processes and structures, people and leadership. How can you build sustainable organizations?" The head of the program has received approval for this concept from students and companies, saying that these are precisely the competencies required.

In order to align the course content with the current needs in the companies, Barbara Niersbach conducted several surveys in advance. The results are now reflected in the modules of the five-semester course. "Sustainability has clearly emerged as a megatrend," says the marketing and sales expert. "And I also see the potential in the industry to master the challenges ahead. If it can be done, it's there, because that's where the implementation strength is."

Transferring knowledge and from areas where sustainability is already being successfully implemented

The part-time master's program is aimed at graduates of business and non-business bachelor's degree programs with professional experience. "You don't necessarily have to have studied business administration in your bachelor's degree," says Barbara Niersbach. "We also have many engineers who want to go into management responsibility and need the management skills to do so."

RWU places great emphasis on balancing family, career and studies. Courses in continuing academic education are held primarily on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. Wherever possible, there are no events during school vacations. Studies take place in small groups of a maximum of 20 students per year. In addition to the theoretical subjects, the program also includes individual coaching or practical project days, for example with forestry, "in order to transfer knowledge and learn from areas where sustainability is already being successfully implemented."

The language of instruction in the International Business Management program at RWU is mainly German in the first two semesters and English in semesters three and four. The final thesis can be written in German or English. Another special feature of the program is the possibility of a double degree with the British Columbia Institute of Technology in Vancouver. But even those who do not make use of this option can get to know the city on Canada's west coast as part of a study trip.

www.rwu.de/ibs

Text: Christoph Oldenkotte