SMILE Joint Master’s Programme in sustainability presented at final conference
The culmination of years of collaboration and innovation was celebrated this Monday at the Final Conference for Dissemination held at the Coordinating University MCI The Entrepreneurial School, of the Joint Master’s Programme ’SMILE’: Sustainable Management in Life Sciences and Engineering.
The event, hosted by MCI, the Entrepreneurial School, highlighted the achievements and future potential of the 120 ECTS interdisciplinary Master’s programme, which empowers students to address global challenges through sustainable practices in life sciences and engineering.
The main goal of SMILE is to find sustainable solutions for current day adversities in the context of climate change. Graduates of this Master’s programme gain the skillset to successfully find sustainable solutions to challenges in the life sciences sector using the newest innovations and methodologies. With this, graduates will contribute the the objectives of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in sustainable management.
SMILE is a collaboration between the University of Seville (USE), Université Côte d’Azur, University of Montenegro, Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, and the recently joined University of Münster. It is part of the European Higher Education Area’s second cycle (EQF Level 7), offering students advanced scientific and technical knowledge applicable to real-world sustainable solutions.
As a key initiative of the Ulysseus European University Alliance, SMILE is part of a broader effort to establish several innovative joint degree programmes. These degrees aim to transform higher education through interdisciplinary collaboration and international cooperation.
The conference included a public event, where representatives from each partner institution presented their specialisations and contributions to the programme. These presentations underscored SMILE’s interdisciplinary approach, combining engineering, science, and sustainable management to prepare graduates for impactful careers.
Each SMILE Partner highlighted the specialisation offered by their institution:
- MCI The Entrepreneurial School: Joint Semester 1
- Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf: Joint Semester 2
- University of Seville (USE): Sustainable Food Systems
- Université Côte d’Azur (UniCA): Marine Conservation & Blue Economy
- Université Côte d’Azur (UniCA): Environmental Hazards & Risk Management
- University of Montenegro (UoM): Sustainable Agriculture
The programme reflects a growing global demand for professionals who can integrate sustainability into b usiness and industry. Over two years and four semesters, SMILE students gain in-depth competencies in scientific, technical, and management fields, equipping them to spearhead sustainable transformations.
As one of the flagship projects of the Ulysseus European University Alliance, SMILE exemplifies the power of cross-border collaboration in higher education, setting a precedent for future initiatives.
For more information about the SMILE programme and its contributions to sustainable development visit our website.
About SMILE
SMILE is a two-year, 120 ECTS joint Master Degree coordinated by MCI The Entrepreneurial School and offered jointly with other Ulysseus European University Alliance member insitutions: Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT), Univesity of Montenegro (UoM), University of Sevilla (USE) and University of Cote d’Azur (UniCA). All of these programme partners are degree awarding institutions and contribute with joint design, mobility and delivery of studies.
This interdisciplinary program enables the students to gain in-depth knowledge and competencies in sustainable managmenet in the life sciences & engineering in complex challenges of today’s world.