From 8 to 12 June 2026, the University of Augsburg hosted its inaugural 'International Staff Week on Sustainability', providing a platform for the professional exchange of ideas on the development of sustainable higher education. The University welcomed 18 participants from 11 countries in Europe and Asia, representing 13 higher education institutions, under the theme ‘Sustainable Transformation – A Whole Institutional Approach’. The event aimed to facilitate the sharing of experiences, the learning of best practices, and the discussion of potential solutions for the sustainable development of higher education institutions.

 

Sustainable transformation is a shared responsibility 

One of the key challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide is sustainability. As well as their roles in research and teaching, universities are also expected to develop sustainable structures and processes as organisations. International Staff Week therefore provided a framework for bringing together different perspectives on sustainable development and fostering international dialogue on successful strategies and challenges. 

The focus was on the ‘Whole Institutional Approach’, which considers sustainability a cross-cutting task involving all areas of a university, including strategic decisions, research, teaching, campus management, and infrastructure. From 8 to 12 June 2026, the University of Augsburg hosted its inaugural 'International Staff Week on Sustainability' to facilitate professional discourse on the development of sustainable universities. Under the theme 'Sustainable Transformation – A Whole Institutional Approach', the university welcomed 18 participants from 11 countries in Europe and Asia, representing 13 higher education institutions. The event aimed to facilitate the sharing of experiences, the learning of best practice examples, and the discussion of potential solutions for the sustainable development of higher education institutions.   

Focus on three areas of action

The programme focused on three key areas of sustainable higher education development: governance and strategy; research and teaching; and campus and infrastructure.

Topics discussed included developing and implementing sustainability strategies, the role of sustainability or green offices in driving institutional change, and international sustainability rankings and reporting formats. In the research and teaching area, the focus was on integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainability competencies, and tracking and reducing emissions within a research context. Additionally, issues related to sustainable campus management, biodiversity promotion, resource management, and climate-friendly infrastructure were addressed.

Professional Exchange and Practical Insights

Participants gained insights into different ways of developing a university with a focus on sustainability, and presented their own projects and experiences from their institutions. 

The programme included practical activities. These included a workshop on water at the Augsburg Environmental Education Centre, a campus tour focusing on the University of Augsburg’s biodiversity strategy and a tour of the Augsburg Water Management System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, the role of universities as key players in sustainable urban and regional development was discussed. The discussion addressed the perspectives of the represented university cities and explored how universities could contribute to the implementation of the City of Augsburg’s future guidelines.

Best Practice Examples and International Networking

A key outcome of Staff Week was the international exchange of ideas. Participants contributed a wide range of experiences from different higher education systems and cultural contexts. During the event, successful practical examples were presented, challenges were openly discussed and joint courses of action were developed. 
It became clear that many universities face similar challenges, such as integrating sustainability into institutional strategies, implementing climate protection measures and promoting sustainable educational programmes. Exchanging ideas across institutional and national boundaries opened up new perspectives and created opportunities for future collaboration. 
 
Thus, the event strengthened international cooperation while also contributing to SDG 17, 'Partnerships for the Goals'. Some of the key takeaways from Staff Week are summarised in the accompanying wrap-up graphic.