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Well equipped for Sustainability 2.0
11.09.2025 A competitive advantage rather than a moral imperative: the discourse on sustainability has evolved. What are the implications for the training of skilled workers? Discover the MAS Sustainable Transformation.
Key points at a glance:
- The public discourse on sustainability is evolving. Economic benefits are taking precedence over moral imperatives.
- The MAS Sustainable Transformation at BFH equips students with the necessary skills to address these challenges.
- This article is part of a series highlighting the expertise of Bern University of Applied Sciences in the field of sustainable transformation.
Bern, Viktoriaplatz, on an early summer’s day shortly before eleven. A group of cyclists turns around the corner. They are on their way to the warehouse of Rework, an innovative textile start-up that makes new clothes out of old ones in the Lorraine suburb. The excursion is part of the MAS Sustainable Transformation programme. Founder and co-managing director Kaspar Schlaeppi is happy to answer the students’ questions about the start-up’s business model, the challenges it faces and its upcoming plans.
The excursion started in the morning at Teil.style, another Bernese start-up, which offers rental clothing subscriptions. The tour will end with a visit to the Äss-Bar, a business that sells bread and baked goods from the previous day with one goal: reduce food waste. Once again, the group is given an insight into the business model – including a sustainable lunch. Bicycles, second hand clothes and conscious nutrition: is there nothing new in the field of sustainability? Far from that. The discourse on sustainability has evolved.
Sustainability for future-fit businesses
“The traditional idea of sustainability as a regulatory obligation or a moral imperative is losing its significance," stresses Head of Degree Programme Prof. Dr Marie Peskova. This is due to the evolving situation worldwide. From a global perspective, concerns such as security and economic growth are currently in the spotlight.
Sustainability Science Forum
BFH is the host of the Sustainability Science Forum 2025, a meeting place and discussion forum for shaping the future in terms of sustainable development. The event takes place on 26.11.2025 in Bern and is aimed at people from science, politics & administration, business, art & culture, civil society, etc. Its theme: ‘Shaping a just transition to a net zero society’.
“Nevertheless, or precisely because of this, sustainability remains relevant”, insists Marie Peskova. “In a new, entrepreneurial perspective, sustainability is increasingly seen as a strategic growth path, a catalyst of innovation and a driver of genuine future viability. The focus is not on pure ideology, but on entrepreneurial foresight.” In other words: on Sustainability 2.0.
It is imperative that we foster research and innovation across all professions and at all levels.
Tangible topics
Consequently, the MAS Sustainable Transformation also includes tangible business management topics, such as supply chains and reporting requirements. “Some of the participants come from companies that have been dealing with sustainability for quite some time and now realise that they need a more systematic approach and more knowledge, e.g. on reporting guidelines and the changing framework conditions,” says Marie Peskova.
“Thanks to the modular structure, the students can choose from a wide range of content and tailor their continuing education to suit their needs.” Accordingly, the MAS participants come from a wide range of sectors: industry, tourism, public administration, etc.
A variety of disciplines, individual choices
“The MAS offers the breadth required for sustainable transformation. It is imperative that we foster research and innovation across all professions and at all levels. The participants have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills with practical relevance, to network and thus to rethink the world,” stresses MAS participant Claudia Zbinden.
“In my role as Head of Sustainability at BERNEXPO, I can definitively apply my newly gained knowledge. Not only did I meet a vast array of incredibly inspiring lecturers and fellow students, but I have also acquired tools that help me in my daily professional life.”
Practical orientation and utility
In addition to its wide range of topics, the MAS also focuses on practical orientation. “Excursions and practice-related lectures are an essential part of the MAS as they provide important insights into practice,” says Head of Degree Programme Marie Peskova.
BFH Day 2025: Brave new world – when and how will we become more sustainable?
11 November 2025, 5–7 p.m. – Eventfabrik, Fabrikstrasse 12, 3012 Bern
Trade conflicts, raw material shortages, the threat of war – concerns that were long thought to be a thing of the past in this country are now putting pressure on our society. As a result, issues such as environmental protection and climate change are increasingly being pushed out of the headlines. But these challenges have lost none of their urgency.
So how do we shape the transformation to a sustainable future? What are the biggest challenges and how do we win people over to change, even where it hurts?
We will discuss these and other questions at BFH Day 2025 with experts from practice and academia. Look forward to sustainable insights and new ideas for your own work.
The degree programme ends with the graduation thesis, a practical project that is developed over the course of the programme, typically for the student’s employer. “It can be a sustainability concept or a sustainability reporting, which is now mandatory for many companies. This means that employers also benefit directly from our continuing education programme,” says Marie Peskova.
Participant Claudia Zbinden also appreciates the practical orientation of the MAS: “I am particularly looking forward to discovering many other interesting examples from practice, to visiting start-ups and to meeting the many inspiring people who are paving the way to a sustainable economy and lifestyle.”
