28 January 2026

Leaders of change needed: Unite! launches a new sustainability course

Starting this February, the “Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders” offers a practical roadmap for students and staff ready to shape their institutions.

Sustainability today is more than a catchy slogan: it is about concrete decisions, processes and competencies that universities need here and now. In the second half of February, the course “Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders” will be launched on the Metacampus platform. The programme shows how to translate climate goals into real action and effective leadership and is addressed to students and staff members. 

Co-developed by experts from Wrocław Tech, Politecnico di Torino, UPC, and TU Graz, this nine-module online course equips participants with the tools to translate climate targets into real-world university transformation.

"Transition towards sustainability at universities is a challenging process. It requires competences to make conscious decisions, the courage to change, and people who can connect strategy with everyday practice. This course was created precisely to support future leaders in implementing real change"

The course takes the form of a coherent, nine-module learning pathway and guides participants through the key areas of sustainability in higher education – from basic concepts and the role of universities in achieving global sustainability goals, through strategy and governance, to very practical issues related to energy, campus infrastructure, environmental data reporting and communicating results to decision-makers. 

A strong emphasis is placed on practice. Participants will work with real-life examples from Unite! alliance universities, learning how to use tools for monitoring and analysing environmental data, exploring eco-design solutions, and analysing green business models and ways of engaging the academic community in change processes. The programme also covers topics related to sustainable mobility, the organisation of academic events and reducing the carbon footprint of business travel. 

An important element of the course is its forward-looking perspective. A module dedicated to lifelong learning highlights how to develop green skills in the long term and the role micro-credentials can play in this process. In turn, classes on sustainable energy management help participants better understand decision-making processes related to energy projects, even for those without a specialised technical background. 

“Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders” is a proposal for those who want to consciously and responsibly co-create the future of higher education. The course will start on 16 February and will be delivered entirely online. 

Detailed information about the course and registration is available on the Metacampus platform. The programme is delivered fully online and has a modular structure, allowing participants to flexibly combine learning with their daily professional responsibilities. To complete the “Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders”, participants must complete at least five course modules, covering both strategic issues and practical tools supporting the implementation of sustainability at universities.