CHARM-EU: an innovative approach to real sustainability challenges
Taking a master’s degree is an opportunity to acquire more knowledge, but it can also be a vital experience that provides you with a different, more intercultural, multidisciplinary vision that allows you to face real problems. This is the approach of the master’s degree in Global Challenges for Sustainability, offered by European alliance CHARM-EU. The students of the third class, coming from seventeen countries, have recently gathered at the University of Barcelona to present their works and hold the closing ceremony. Moreover, CHARM-EU has opened a new edition of the master’s degree, with interesting new features, such as the extension of the number of universities, more possibilities to carry out stays in one of them and the launch of an itinerary focused on energy and smart cities.
Taking a master’s degree is an opportunity to acquire more knowledge, but it can also be a vital experience that provides you with a different, more intercultural, multidisciplinary vision that allows you to face real problems. This is the approach of the master’s degree in Global Challenges for Sustainability, offered by European alliance CHARM-EU. The students of the third class, coming from seventeen countries, have recently gathered at the University of Barcelona to present their works and hold the closing ceremony. Moreover, CHARM-EU has opened a new edition of the master’s degree, with interesting new features, such as the extension of the number of universities, more possibilities to carry out stays in one of them and the launch of an itinerary focused on energy and smart cities.
Moreover, CHARM-EU aims to work on aspects that go beyond knowledge. In particular, it promotes training in interculturalism. Valérie Borrell, from the University of Montpellier and lecturer of the master’s degree, emphasizes: “CHARM-EU and especially the pedagogues have provided me with a wider range of pedagogical tools, which are well adapted to the needs of each student, whether cultural or cognitive”. This cultural exchange is also one of the aspects the students highlight the most.
The grand finale: innovative solutions
In the final project phase, the student prepares a solution to a challenge through a final product that is presented during the “grand finale” — held at the UB — in front of the rest of the students, teaching staff and representatives of the participating organizations. It is also an opportunity to develop personal competencies (soft skills) that go beyond technical knowledge.
As an example, one of the final projects is the one presented for the NGO Innoceana, located in Barcelona. The students who faced this challenge explain the experience: “We had to find both a strategy to increase the visibility of the organization and new funding opportunities. We talked to companies in the sector in Barcelona and designed a ‘blue package’ to offer companies linked to the marine sector workshops, specialists who can give explanations about the marine environment to tourists who come to do some aquatic activity, videos…”.
Innoceana values this experience very positively. “The solution seemed ideal to me because the challenge was to connect people with the sea, which is our main problem. Now, we would love to continue working with the agreements they have found and, little by little, begin to implement the project, carry out a test and see how it works”, explains Berta Felipe, general manager of the NGO in Spain.
In relation to learning, Anisa Triyanti, responsible for the final projects at CHARM-EU, emphasizes the ability to collaborate that the projects require, as well as to listen and understand well the problem posed by the company or entity. It is also necessary to know how to seek other institutions in the sector and contact them in order to be able to implement innovative solutions.
New edition of the master’s degree, with more opportunities for students
“The new edition of the master’s degree — which is now open — expands the opportunities for students. One is that there are nine universities involved and, in addition, we have added a fourth semester for internships in companies. Therefore, the student will have even more possibilities to get to know other countries and cultures”, says Meritxell Chaves, general secretary of CHARM-EU.
Other new features are that the master’s degree will be increased from 90 to 120 credits and will last two years. In addition, the new pathway in energy and sustainable cities will be added to the existing itineraries related to water, food and health.
Itziar Salazar, former student of CHARM-EU, values her time in the master’s programme: “I graduated with a solid network of professional contacts, from colleagues and faculty to industrial and institutional partners. After graduating, I received job offers in sustainability from various sectors, such as public institutions, private companies and the university field too”.
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