The main objective of the project was to systematically develop the green skills of students, academic staff, and the professional public, while also establishing sustainability as a cross-cutting theme across the university—from accredited study programs and individual courses to lifelong learning, strategic management of the institution, and cooperation with industry.
New study programs responding to sustainability challenges
One of the key and most significant long-term outcomes of the project was the creation of three new accredited study programs covering all levels of higher education. Each program responds to specific sustainability challenges in a given field and is closely linked to the professional profile of the relevant faculty.
The Faculty of Transportation Sciences at the Czech Technical University in Prague has prepared a new bachelor's degree program in Transportation Engineering, which systematically integrates the principles of sustainable mobility, environmental assessment of transportation systems, and support for low-emission forms of transportation. The program reflects current trends in transportation planning and prepares graduates for careers in public administration, transportation engineering, and the private sector.
The Faculty of Architecture at CTU has created a new follow-up master's degree program in Planning and Development, focused on the sustainable development of cities, landscapes, and territories. The program emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach and combines urban, technical, environmental, and economic perspectives. It thus responds to the complex challenges associated with climate change, urban development, and responsible land use.
The main objective of the project was to systematically develop the green skills of students, academic staff, and the professional public, while also establishing sustainability as a cross-cutting theme across the university—from accredited study programs and individual courses to lifelong learning, strategic management of the institution, and cooperation with industry.
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering at CTU has prepared a doctoral study program in Sustainable Energy Systems and Technologies, focused on research in the field of modern energy, renewable sources, energy storage, and energy efficiency. The program strengthens the university's research capacity and creates conditions for the education of highly qualified experts who are key to the energy transformation of society.
The creation of these three separate study programs represents a significant strategic contribution—it expands CTU's study offerings in the field of sustainability, strengthens interdisciplinary cooperation, and creates a solid foundation for the long-term development of green skills within formal higher education.
Innovative study subjects across faculties
The project has also had a significant impact on everyday teaching. Across CTU's departments, a total of 41 study programs have been newly created or innovated, systematically integrating the themes of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and green transformation into technical and non-technical education.
The Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Information Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies were involved in the implementation of this activity. Innovations included updating syllabi, creating new teaching materials, incorporating case studies from practice, expanding project and laboratory teaching, and emphasizing interdisciplinary connections.
Thanks to this activity, sustainability has become a natural part of the education of thousands of students across disciplines – from energy, construction, urban development, transport, engineering, and IT to economics, management, and public administration.
Lifelong learning courses and micro-certificates
An important part of the project was the development of lifelong learning. Eight lifelong learning courses were created, some of which are completed with a micro-certificate. The courses are intended for professionals, practitioners, graduates, and university employees, and respond to the current needs of the labor market in the field of green skills.
The courses focus on topics such as ESG reporting, sustainable cities, energy efficiency in buildings, the circular economy, and environmentally friendly IT infrastructure operations. The courses are designed to be flexible and practical, with an emphasis on the direct applicability of the knowledge gained in professional practice.
CTU Sustainable Development Strategy
A key institutional output of the project is the CTU Sustainable Development Strategy in Prague, which was developed in a participatory manner with the involvement of representatives from all parts of the university. The strategy systematically anchors the principles of sustainability in the university's strategic management and creates a long-term framework for education, research, university operations, and social responsibility.
The document shifts sustainability from the level of individual projects to the everyday practice of institutional management and creates the conditions for the further development of activities initiated within the project even after the end of financial support.
"It was very inspiring to meet people in working groups who truly care about sustainability and respect for the environment. I greatly appreciate that the strategy was developed as a joint document, with many stakeholders across the university involved in its preparation. The debates during the workshops were stimulating, and I believe that the strategy will continue to be a living document that will be further developed at CTU," says Petra Tajčová, project manager of the CTU Structural Funds Department, who coordinated the project.
Partnership with practice and the application sphere
The project also contributed to the development of strategic partnerships with external entities that strengthen the links between the academic environment and practice. Cooperation was established, for example, in the area of energy-efficient IT infrastructure and sustainable data center operation, as well as with regional and innovation institutions focused on sustainable development, innovation, and strategic planning.
These partnerships increase the application relevance of teaching and research, enable the involvement of experts from the field in student education, and support the implementation of applied research with a direct social impact.
Project sustainability and long-term perspective
From the outset, the project was designed with an emphasis on the long-term sustainability of the results achieved. In accordance with the funding conditions, a five-year sustainability period has been set, during which the innovated study subjects and lifelong learning courses will continue to be taught, systematically developed, and updated to respond to current social, technological, and environmental challenges.
The innovated and newly created study subjects are firmly integrated into the study plans of individual faculties, and their content will be further developed during the sustainability period in line with new research findings, changes in the legislative and regulatory framework, and the needs of practical application. Similarly, lifelong learning courses will be continuously updated and expanded to maintain their high professional relevance and practical applicability for target groups.
The newly created study programs have been accredited for a period of ten years, which is a strong prerequisite for their long-term stability and further development. As a result, green skills and sustainability principles are becoming a permanent part of CTU's educational offerings and are being systematically integrated into the training of future experts across technical and interdisciplinary fields.
Ensuring the five-year sustainability of the project, together with the long-term accreditation of new study programs, confirms that the project is not a one-off initiative, but a long-term institutional change that strengthens the ability of the Czech Technical University in Prague to respond to the challenges of green transformation even after the end of project funding.
Thanks to the project, CTU has confirmed its role as a modern technical university that integrates sustainability into education, institutional management, and cooperation with the application sphere, and actively contributes to the sustainable development of society.
The significance of the project was not only reflected in specific outputs in the form of study programs, subjects, and courses, but also in the strengthening of the university-wide debate on sustainability and its future direction. The project created space and momentum for follow-up professional and educational activities that further developed the topic of sustainability across the university.
As summarized by Antonín Lupíšek, Ph.D. (UCEEB CTU), one of the key project researchers: "Through an interdisciplinary conference focused on clean technologies, transport analysis at CTU, and an interactive student stand during Sustainable Development Week, we were able to further raise awareness of sustainability at CTU. We were very pleased with the strong interest in the development of the CTU Sustainability Strategy, which was also reflected in the program of the incoming rector and confirmed that sustainability is and will be perceived as a common priority across the university."
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The project was coordinated by the Structural Funds Department of CTU in cooperation with individual faculties and participating departments.
The project Support for Green Skills and Sustainability at CTU in Prague, reg. no. NPO_CVUT_MSMT-2123/2024-4, is funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU.
