University of Sunderland
Entrepreneurial Learning for Sustainable Development
Finalist, Tomorrow's Employees
About
The University of Sunderland is committed to preparing students for purposeful futures by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Through Entrepreneurial Learning for Sustainable Development, students engage with sustainability-themed challenges that explore the complex environmental and social issues connected to their disciplines. In doing so, they develop key employability and enterprise skills, including systems thinking, critical analysis, collaboration, creativity and problem-solving. By connecting entrepreneurial development with sustainability, we enable students to recognise the positive impact they can have within their future professions and communities. This approach makes sustainability relevant, practical and career-focused, helping learners understand how they can contribute to Sustainable Development regardless of their chosen career path. Bringing together students, apprentices, academics, employers and external experts, the programme creates authentic opportunities to tackle real-world challenges while developing the green skills, innovative mindsets and collaborative behaviours increasingly valued by employers and society.
Top 3 learnings
- Making sustainability super relevant to students and their futures has been the most effective engagement.
- External speakers, experts and alumni working in exciting fields are the best messengers.
- Sustainability skills as well as knowledge are essential for Tomorrow’s Employees, and more relatable across disciplines.
What it would mean to win
Receiving a Green Gown Award at the University of Sunderland would highlight aspects of our continued work and good practice in embedding sustainability perspectives in our curriculum. We hope that this will inspire others to follow this approach, both inside and beyond our university.
SDG
| 2026 | |
| Tomorrow's Employees | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
More from the 2026 awards
Charles Sturt University
Restoring Nature, Inspiring Futures: 20+ Years of Biodiversity Leadership
Read More
Finalist, Nature Positive
Green Gown Award Regions
Australasia
