A total of 34 students and 12 faculty members from seven European universities participated in the BIP Sustainability and ESG program that took place between April and May, culminating in an Intensive Week held from May 5th to 9th at the Bragança  Polytechnic University of (IPB), within the framework of the STARS EU consortium. The partner institutions included the Bragança Polytechnic University (Portugal), University of La Laguna (Spain), Hochschule Bremen (Germany),  Krakow Polytechnic University (Poland), University Aleksander Moisiu (Albania) and Silesian University in Opava.   (Czech Republic).

The program aimed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable business practices and highlight the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in transforming how companies operate. Participants explored the impact of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors on corporate performance, analysed sustainability strategies adopted by organisations from different countries, and developed sustainability reports with recommendations for improvement.

In addition, six company leaders contributed to the program by sharing their real-world experiences and launching practical challenges to the student groups. These challenges formed the basis of the final project, which culminated in a pitch session where participants presented their solutions. The entrepreneurs were actively involved in evaluating the proposals, promoting a constructive and collaborative learning environment.

This BIP fostered international collaboration, critical thinking, and the exchange of knowledge, while reinforcing the importance of integrating sustainability and social responsibility into the core of business strategies today.

The STARS EU universe was recently expanded with the introduction of a new TIG in Sustainable Industry. Representatives from all nine STARS EU partners met at University West, in Sweden, to draw up a strategic plan for the coming years.

We asked four questions to Mikael Ericsson, senior researcher in robotics and automation at University West, who leads the TIG.

The TIG Sustainable Industry is a relatively new TIG. What are your goals?

Today, the European industry faces major challenges that will affect its future. These areas are connected to new technology development, digital and energy transformation, and climate change. Also, to increase competitiveness between countries and companies outside Europe, the EU and industry must focus on regional and national value chains to shorten transportation and services linked to manufacturing various products.

These challenges affect competitiveness and opportunities for transformation and renewal. The TIG Sustainable Industry will support students and researchers, industry, and society with new and innovative technology and competencies by developing courses and starting new research cooperations and projects to meet the challenges faced by industry in Europe. These activities will generate and share new knowledge with the surrounding community.

What was the purpose of the meeting?

This was the first time the TIG had a face-to-face meeting with all partners participating. The main purpose was to get to know each other. Secondly, we wanted to discuss our strategic plan for the TIG for 2025 and 2026. Another aspect was to show the facilities at University West that could be of relevance to the Sustainable Industry TIG.

What were the most important points discussed during the meeting?

In the development of the plan, we were discussing how we can develop BIPs and micro credential courses, double degree programs and joint research projects. We also discussed how we can contribute to mobility, both for students and for staff, between our universities, and updated ourselves on future calls for research funding within the EU.

What will the focus of the TIG in the coming months?  

We will work with the implementation of the plan, focusing on courses and double degree programs. We will also plan for upcoming research calls by trying to set up a consortium with common research interests.