Natural science basic research and the technical sciences are essential drivers in the development of solutions to the global, societal challenges formulated in the UN's 17 SDGs. Therefore, the unique combination of natural sciences, engineering and research-based public sector consultancy at Science and Technology has an obvious strong potential to find sustainable solutions. This is why work on the SDGs has strategic focus for the faculty.

"We want to send a clear signal that the university has an important role in work on the SDGs. We as a university sow the seeds for the solutions and educate the graduates for the future labour market. And here at Science and Technology we have a particularly important role. We want to reach out to the business community and play an active role in finding sustainable solutions," says Dean Niels Chr. Nielsen.

On 4 February, AU held a conference under the title “Partnerships for a Sustainable Future”, at which focus was on research, consultancy, education, and above all, business collaboration, on the UN SDGs. Science and Technology had an important part in the conference, which was met with great interest and quickly sold out. Good and fruitful contacts were made, and the faculty made its mark as an important voice in the sustainability agenda.

"This conference is an important step towards positioning ourselves in relation to the SDGs. However, we must not rest on our laurels. We must move determinedly forward to realise our special role in work on the SDGs. Through research, we lay the foundation businesses need to develop solutions within sustainability. And through our study programmes, we educate the graduates to work on developing such solutions," says Niels Chr. Nielsen.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial

Interdisciplinary research is crucial to developing solutions to complex challenges. This is why the faculty has decided to set up the thematic interdisciplinary centres. Work across traditional disciplinary boundaries, and with the business community can help to create new, innovative and sustainable products, materials, types of energy and much more.

"Young people are very aware of sustainability. They want to contribute and make a difference, and we want to help train the next generation of talented researchers and employees in the sustainability agenda, so that they can help solve the challenges ahead of us," says Niels Chr. Nielsen.

On the theme page UN sustainable development goals in focus at Science and Technology, you can catch up on stories, news, cases, events, conferences and much more from the faculty.

The Partnerships for a Sustainable Future conference was held on Monday 4 February 2019 at Aarhus University.