The Competence Center for Sustainable Development (KNE) is a university-wide networking platform that brings together various activities and stakeholders related to sustainable development at the University of Tübingen. The aim is to promote the broader implementation of sustainable development at the university and foster a "culture of sustainability" in the university's daily life. The fields of action, including teaching, research, operations, transfer, and governance, are equally considered under the "Whole Institution Approach". The team at the Competence Center for Sustainable Development works closely with the Advisory Board for Sustainable Development.
The establishment of the KNE began in 2013 and was financially supported by the state of Baden-Württemberg (Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts) until 2017. Since 2019, the Competence Center has become part of the University of Tübingen's Excellence Strategy. The KNE is located at the International Center for Ethics in the Sciences (IZEW).
The Competence Center organizes and implements a variety of activities related to sustainable development and serves as a point of contact for students, staff, and interested parties from the region. Some of the activities include:
- Coordination of the Studium Oecologicum (cooperation with the Transdisciplinary Course Program (TCP, Department III - Studies and Teaching)
- Teaching events in various subjects and areas (e.g., offerings in the "Studium Generale")
- Continuing education opportunities for instructors
- Support for applying for funding
- Participation in research projects (currently, e.g., KuNaH)
- Organizing university networking events
- Participation in regional sustainability events (e.g., Tübingen Sustainability Night)
- •Networking with other colleges and universities in the field of (education for) sustainable development.
