Study recommends closer cooperation between universities and industry at European level
A study carried out by COPERNICUS (the cooperation programme in Europe for research on nature and industry through coordinated universities studies) has highlighted the need for enhanced cooperation and exchange of information between universities at European level, closer cooperation between universities and industry and the integration of sustainability issues into curricula and academic programmes at European universities. The study, commissioned by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in cooperation with the German Association (DECHEMA), investigated how universities in Europe are incorporating the principles of sustainability into chemistry courses. The study comes to the conclusion that 'sustainability does not seem to have become a mainstream topic in chemistry higher education in Europe yet, although the report writers concede that in this respect, chemistry as a subject area does not differ significantly from any other fields in higher education and research 'which all - almost ten years after Rio - clearly show the need for action in the field of sustainability.' The study is perceived by COPERNICUS as an important contribution to the establishment of the European research area (ERA), in which sustainability is to play a significant role. In order to facilitate the inclusion of sustainability in European education systems, the study strongly recommends enhanced cooperation and the exchange of information between universities at a European level. The study identifies the SOCRATES and ERASMUS programmes as opportunities to boost cooperation. The study also recommends closer cooperation between academia and industry and calls for a role in chemical higher education for the chemical industry's 'responsible care' programme, which is advocated as a means to confront students with practical sustainable chemistry initiatives.