- Press Release
New academic year: BFH intensifies training in the field of societal challenges
14.09.2023 Society needs solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time. For this reason, Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH is strengthening its education and continuing education offer in the fields of digitalisation, sustainability and Caring Society in the new academic year. This includes in particular the new Data Engineering degree programme and the adapted Social Work degree programme. In total, nearly 2400 new students are starting their training at BFH this year, about four percent more than in 2022.
BFH’s strategy for the years 2023 to 2026 focuses on three strategic thematic fields: “Sustainable Development”, “Humane Digital Transformation” and “Caring Society”.
“We want to make an impact on society in these fields, not only in research but also in education. For innovation stems from well-trained workers,” says BFH Rector Sebastian Wörwag.
New degree programme for data engineers
This new academic year will see the launch of the bachelor’s degree programme in Data Engineering at the School of Engineering and Computer Science. The new degree programme combines software engineering, machine learning and analytics, thus meeting the pulse of the time. Students look into the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence and ever-faster growing data sets.
Promoting students’ digital skills across all disciplines and using new, promising technologies in education and continuing education is a formal goal of BFH. For example, BFH now offers low-threshold digital skills coaching in which students pass on their knowledge of digital applications to fellow students.
Stronger networking thanks to new Social Work curriculum
Training is also being further strengthened in the thematic field Caring Society. The curriculum of the Bachelor of Science in Social Work has been thoroughly revised. Students have even more opportunities than before to network with each other, with lecturers and with practitioners, and to make a joint contribution to society, also through projects. During their studies, students gain in experience not only on a specialist and methodological level, but also personally. Under close supervision, they continuously work on developing their own professional identity.
New training courses in the field of sustainable development
BFH has extended its range of continuing education courses in the thematic field Sustainable Development. For example, the restructuring of the energy supply requires specialists who understand the new technologies and who can link them to an overall ecological and economic system and act within it. The CAS in Energy Transition (CAS Energiewende) teaches the relevant knowledge for the best ways to use sustainable and renewable technologies and for pursuing successful implementation strategies.
The new CAS in Sustainable Management & Environmental, Social and Governance (CAS Nachhaltiges Management & Environmental, Social und Governance) focusses on how companies can be transformed sustainably, specifically on legal, ethical, technological and economic aspects of sustainable management.
And in another new CAS, BFH teaches how to cool urban spaces and develop climate-friendly urban environments.
More new students than in the previous year
Next week, nearly 2400 students will begin their studies at Bern University of Applied Sciences, over 4% more than in the previous year. About 70% are joining a bachelor’s degree programme and 30% a master’s degree programme. In total, approximately 7900 people study at BFH.
