Het nieuwe strategische plan Koers op Kwaliteit. Wij willen dat in iedere opleiding aspecten van duurzaamheid en/of maatschappelijke verantwoordelijkheid tot uiting komen. Studenten wordt een ondernemende geest bijgebracht maar wel vanuit verantwoordelijkheid voor de samenleving. Een kernbegrip in die verantwoordelijkheid is duurzaamheid; je verantwoordelijkheid ook willen nemen voor de toekomstige generaties. Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility policy statementSustainability has been one of Hanze’s core values for years. In 1999, for example, an agreement was concluded with the universities of applied sciences; the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences; the Ministries of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, Education, Culture and Science, Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and Economic Affairs; and the Dutch national network for sustainable development in higher education curricula for the integration of sustainable development in education, research and business operations in higher education. We pass on these core values to our students, who will promote them in their future profession. The competence of future generations to solve issues related to scarcity, environmental conservation and justice is taught and stimulated to a high degree during the years in higher education. Therefore, Hanze (UAS) not only wants to express sustainability in its business operations, but we also want it to be a part of our social responsibility and Corporate Social Responsibility.This is also pointed out in the new strategic plan « Road to Excellence ». We want each degree programme to express aspects of sustainability and/or social responsibility. Students are taught to have an entrepreneurial spirit that is based on social responsibility. One core value related to this social responsibility is sustainability, which means daring to take that responsibility for the benefit of future generations.

Our educational system, and with it professionally oriented higher education, is taking a step towards innovative learning, which centres on concepts such as flexibility, creativity, innovative power and co-creation, and in which talent development is the most natural thing in the world. Our students learn what sustainability concretely means to their field of study and how they may develop opportunities for social added value. It is our duty to introduce students to social responsibility, which they will have in and in addition to their future profession of members of society.We train students who know how to handle issues in the field of sustainable development, regardless of their discipline or field of activity, and who are able to come up with solutions. This entails more than just offering degree programmes that are traditionally linked to sustainability, such as environmental degree programmes. The basis should take shape in social, technological and economic themes. Students are structurally introduced to aspects of sustainable development that are relevant to them as professionals, citizens and consumers. This makes sustainability a university-wide theme. Our aim is that at least five Schools will have been awarded one or more AISHE sustainability certificate by 2014.Sustainability is also expressed in our vision on business relations. Integrity and care are the central issues.

Hanzehogeschool Groningen