A unique “remote-first” university focusing on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and technology is set to open, with the goal of providing a more progressive education. It is the first time that such an institution has been established by a European startup.
Tomorrow University (ToU) of Applied Sciences is dedicated to educating future generations in order to develop solutions for a more sustainable society, with a focus on impact and shared prosperity.
Learners receive access to cutting-edge research and mentors from companies like Apple, Google, Share, and Delivery Hero, as well as the option to pay for their courses with future work.
Learners will be able to build “21st Century skills” in conservation, entrepreneurship, and innovation through online and in-person learning, and will be able to learn from anywhere in the world thanks to its newly designed platform.
ToU harnesses the European entrepreneurship and innovation landscape to help tomorrow’s business leaders achieve a more sustainable society through “creativity, boldness, and entrepreneurial drive,” according to the organization. “The next generation of leaders don’t want to work for companies that pollute the environment. Companies that are not carbon neutral will have a hard time attracting talent,” said ToU co-founder Christian Rebernik.
“Today’s learners care about sustainability – they are the drivers behind tomorrow’s change. However, research shows that many of the traditional universities are not responding quickly and effectively enough.
“We launched Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences to help people create a more sustainable society – on a platform that addresses their needs. We are the first organization to combine this modern way of learning with an emphasis on sustainability and responsible entrepreneurship.”
Courses will be available to students from all around the world and will be built on the company’s freshly constructed platform. Traditional lectures will be replaced by challenge-based learning and “competency-defined customization” at the new university. “The data-driven learning platform allows learners to define what they want to achieve before starting their course.
Knowledge is acquired in a modern, active learning format at the learner’s own pace through interactive sessions, lasting around 15 minutes,” the university said in a statement.
The recognized bachelor’s programs are six semesters long and taught in English. Each program has a maximum capacity of 25 students. The programs cost €550 ($617) per month, which can be paid for with cryptocurrencies or future labour, and there are numerous scholarships available.
“Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences is built to live up to and improve upon the original founding ideals of the greatest of all European universities – ideals that have unfortunately been abandoned by some of those very same institutions,” said ToU co-founder Thomas Funke.
“We want to rectify this by continuously challenging ourselves to reach further, challenging our learners to accomplish more, and eventually challenging others to follow our lead".
“Coupling intellectual development with experiential learning, our platform is designed to grow the learners’ competencies – the core of what learners need to solve the biggest challenges of our time – through a curriculum and challenge-based experience based on decades of scientific research on effective learning,” Funke added.
Emerge Education, a European venture fund that invests in innovators to solve the “$8.5 trillion skills gap,” has supported the company. “As the need for 21st-century skills changes rapidly, universities all over the world are failing to adapt at the pace needed,” Emerge Education’s Mario Barosevcic said. “At the same time, online education is no longer seen as optional but rather as the only way forward and the greatest way to meet the increasing need for affordable access to a fast-growing, global student population.
“Tomorrow University is at the forefront of this change – a student-centred digital, engaging and immerse learning experience and a global network of world-class mentors helps acquire future skills and a truly entrepreneurial mindset needed to create a better, more sustainable tomorrow.”
In addition to remote learning, the university stated that students will be able to obtain work experience or travel the world while studying. It also offers courses in collaboration with other institutions. ToU has partnered with Vienna’s WU Executive Academy to offer a Professional Master’s degree in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, and Technology.
“I am amazed how our innovations in terms of content, set-up, and delivery resonate with our exceptional students,” said Barbara Stöttinger, dean of WU Executive Academy.
“It is beautiful to see how an outstanding group of professionals from all walks of life, very diverse as to professional, cultural, and educational background can so push forward with their great ideas on how to tackle grand societal challenges. I am really excited to see that ToU will also make that possible for its bachelor students – and we are happy to contribute,” added Stöttinger.
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