Last spring the University of Helsinki launched a new joint programme Bachelor in Sustainability (BASUS) as part of the Una Europa collaboration. The unique study programme provides an opportunity to study sustainability with an interdisciplinary approach in a truly international context, allowing students to study on-campus at three of Europe’s most prominent universities.
In addition to mobility periods, the international dimension is integrated into their first courses as well.
As part of the curriculum of the program, joint teaching brings teachers from Una Europa universities to teach together at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, where the students study their first year.
Ian MacGregor-Fors, professor at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki, was one of the teachers responsible for one of the courses, Basic Statistics.
We had the chance to interview Ian about his experience in developing and teaching an interdisciplinary course in Krakow.
Ian, what does it mean to you personally and professionally to be part of the launch of a brand-new international joint programme?
"It is both exciting and deeply meaningful. Personally, I feel energized to help build something with clear societal relevance. Professionally, it’s inspiring to contribute to a program on such a pressing topic, one that demands deep philosophical introspection, real interdisciplinary work, and shared commitment."
You traveled to Krakow to teach the first cohort of BASUS students. How was your experience?
"It was wonderful. Krakow is a spectacular city, but what made the visit truly special was the warmth and hospitality of the people and the university. The atmosphere was welcoming, supportive, and highly stimulating."
What unique opportunities come with teaching in a joint degree across multiple institutions?
"It allows us to lead by example. Teaching across institutions embodies the essence of transdisciplinarity and “across-university” collaboration. Students see in practice how different perspectives, backgrounds, and academic cultures enrich learning."
What have you learned about interdisciplinary and cross-institutional teamwork from this experience?
"That genuine collaboration requires openness, patience, and trust. Working across institutions stretches us to listen differently, adapt, and build shared ground; basically the skills I hope our students will develop."
What skills or mindsets do you hope graduates from this programme will carry into the world?
“I hope they become highly skilled professionals who question not for the sake of questioning, but to propose; who propose not to impose, but to contribute. I hope they understand those who think inside the box, while feeling confident thinking outside the box, or even in a different box altogether! With that mindset, they can have true influence in the real world.”
Unique programme to serve the diverse needs of the contemporary world
Bachelor in Sustainability (BASUS) provides an opportunity to study sustainability with an interdisciplinary approach in an international context. By providing extensive education on sustainability, its various complexities and intersections of divergent disciplines, the programme aims to equip its graduates with necessary tools to forge a better future.
Students will spend the first year of studies at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland studying sustainability from different perspectives. For the second and third year, students go on a mobility period to study in one of the six other degree-awarding universities to complete studies in the chosen study track:
- Sustainable Chemistry & Physics in Helsinki
- Law & Politics of Sustainability in Kraków
- Economics, Management & Engineering in Leuven
- Environmental & Life Sciences in Madrid
- Geography & Economy in Paris
- Social Sciences & Humanities in Zürich
Students can opt to go to a third university for the last semester of their studies - one of the degree awarding universities, or alternatively to one of the mobility partners within the programme, University of Edinburgh, or Freie Universität Berlin. All the students graduating from the programme will receive a diploma awarded jointly by the six Una Europa universities.