Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE)

About 

Eberswalde has been dedicated to sustainable education and research for more than 190 years. The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) was founded in 1830 as the Higher Institute of Forestry (Höhere Forstlehranstalt). Since academic teaching began again in 1992 at the historic site for forest and wood research just outside Berlin, the university has laid its focus on future-oriented industries and key sectors such as nature protection, forest management, organic farming, climate change adaptation, sustainable economics, timber construction and sustainable tourism management.

Sustainable Development at HNEE

The HNEE is, with its holistic approach to sustainability, its unique range of courses geared towards future-oriented topics and its strong institutional commitment to the field of sustainability research, a driving force for sustainable development. Around 2,300 students from about 60 nations study and more than 400 employees teach, research and work at the modern university. The mission of the HNEE is to lead the transformation towards a sustainable society by developing viable model solutions and equipping students with the necessary skills to shape the future.

The 20 innovative study programmes, some of which are unique throughout Germany, are based at the four faculties of Forest and Environment, Landscape Management and Nature Conservation, Wood Engineering and Sustainable Business. The programmes have a distinct profile dedicated to sustainable development and the societal transformation this requires. Sustainable development is the underlying maxim, and it is consistently put into practice in all areas of the university – in teaching, research, business and transfer – and continually developed using participatory approaches.

The HNEE sets itself apart through its close research links to a wide range of partners as well as its high level of third-party funding for applied research. At 12.1 million euros, it is one of the two Brandenburg universities which raise the most third-party funds (as of 2022). The research profile of the HNEE is characterised by its focus on three research areas:

1) Sustainable development of rural areas
2) Sustainable production and use of natural resources
3) Sustainable management of limited resources

More Information

To read more about the extensive efforts towards sustainability at HNEE, follow the link here.