Zurich University of Applied Sciences Courses

Aquaponics – the circular food production system

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Aquaponic technology continues to attract a lot of attention around the globe, especially in the context of urban farming. But how exactly does an aquaponics system work and more important what knowledge do I need to successfully run an aquaponics system? In this course, you will obtain answers to these questions. The curriculum will give you an understanding of central topics in the field of aquaponics. Aquaponics is a circulation technology based on a broad knowledge base: from water chemistry, fish and plant physiology, to engineering and microbiology. It can thus serve as a learning model for inter-and transdisciplinary thinking and acting.This course is for:Everyone interested in Aquaponics with a basic understanding of natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) on undergraduate degree levelProfessionals in the sector of Aquaculture and HydroponicsAquaponic practitioners who want to gain additional knowledge on specific topics

Global Business and Human Rights

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Globalization includes the promise of economic development and wellbeing for all. However, from the early days of international trade until today this scarcely came without unfavorable, sometimes dreadful consequences for humans, be it slavery in colonial crop plantations, health and safety risks for coal miners throughout industrialization or, more recently, discrimination of factory workers in sweatshops. With an ever more complex framework of human rights establishing around the world and stakeholder expectations towards business conduct, managers of modern companies need to find ways for their organizations how these comply with laws and regulations on the international arena and to manifest as responsible corporations. This course delivers a fundamental understanding of the connections between business conduct and human rights in a globalized world for an audience, who are generally interested in globalization and human rights and for individuals who are working at such interfaces in companies, civil society, intergovernmental or government organizations.In this course we illustrate the various connections and impacts between globalization, company activities and human rights from an ethical, historical, cultural and legal perspective. It gives an overview of important institutions and their role in the discussion about human rights, and on relevant concepts, approaches and tools that companies use to address and manage human rights.

Sustainable Corporate Financing: Foundations

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Course 1: Sustainable Corporate Financing – FundamentalsRecent global developments have increasingly led to the issues of climate change and sustainable development being addressed. Different actors in the financial sector have started to account for sustainability issues in their daily operations. In addition to regulatory pressures, stakeholder demands, increasing transparency, and comparability of sustainability data contribute to the financial sector's move towards sustainability. While sustainability has been gaining popularity in the investment business for several years now, it is only beginning in corporate finance.The course provides participants with foundations of corporate finance, banking, sustainability, and it elaborates on where these dimensions meet. Theoretical know-how will be applied with the practice, such as case studies and practical examples. These applications are meant to support participants' work on capabilities beyond the scope of this course, such as the critical reflection of public information and data and the feasibility to form their own opinion.

Vision 2030

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Die Menschheit steht vor grossen globalen Herausforderungen und Widersprüchen: zunehmender Wohlstand, aber auch wachsende Ungleichheit; Überkonsum einerseits, Unterernährung andererseits; zunehmendes Wirtschaftswachstum und extreme Umweltzerstörung. Uns fehlt oft der ganzheitliche Blick. Wo können wir ansetzen, um diese Probleme zu lösen?Dieser Kurs erklärt dir die wichtigsten globalen Herausforderungen und die möglichen Lösungen, die bereits heute existieren:Mit den Schwerpunkten auf Ernährung, Stadtentwicklung und soziale Gerechtigkeit erhältst du einen Gesamtüberblick über unser System.Im Bereich Ernährung lernst du die gesamte Lebensmittelwertschöpfungskette kennen und erfährst anhand von Studien und Beispielen, wie nachhaltige Lebensmittelwertschöpfungsketten aufgebaut werden können.Städte sind Zentren des menschlichen Lebens. Expert:innen aus den Bereichen Energie, Architektur, natürliche Ressourcen und Wirtschaft zeigen dir, wie Städte sozialverträglich, grün und emissionsarm entwickelt werden können.Wie entsteht Ungleichheit und wie können wir etwas dagegen tun? Erfahrene Sozial- und Sprachwissenschaftler:innen erklären dir anhand konkreter Beispiele, wie Ungleichheit entsteht und welche Prinzipien soziale Gerechtigkeit fördern können.Durch den Kurs «Vision 2030» wirst du in die Lage versetzt, deine Arbeit und dein Leben ganzheitlicher zu betrachten und so zu einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung beizutragen.

Sustainable Corporate Financing: Application

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Course 2: Sustainable Corporate Financing – ApplicationThe financial sector can play a key role in a transition towards sustainable development. Finance professionals are in a position to strategically contribute to an alignment of the real economy with sustainability targets by allocating capital in all forms, such as bank lending and direct, as well as indirect, equity, and debt investments. These targets concern the environment, and society at large, including future generations.Financial institutions need to strategically address potential financial and sustainability-related risks to address sustainability issues. In the environmental dimension, increasingly rigid policies and regulations force financial market participants to integrate these aspects into their operations and adjust their reporting accordingly.On the other hand, the transition of the economy towards more sustainability or the development of sustainability solutions will lead to additional and specific financing needs.The course emphasizes sustainability in equity, debt, and bank financing. Participants will gain in-depth insights on which financing options and considerations apply fin the respective fields of action previously elaborated in course 1. namely exclusion, integration, transition, and sustainability solutions. Course 2. will elaborate on the question of whether a financing gap exists to approach sustainable development goals, and how the financial sector can contribute to closing this gap.Specific impact-oriented and innovative financing approaches will be discussed, focusing on their relevance, origin, and possibilities to manage and measure the impact realized. Practical examples and case studies will be discussed for all financing approaches.