How students and companies learned sustainability in mutual Problem Based Learning loops

Problem Based Learning at Aalborg University is centered around projects and
group work to enhance the students’ learning. In this paper we present two cases where a problem based, real world context was applied in undergraduate
environmental management courses at two different campuses, and involving two case companies. The learning of the students and the capacity building at company level were supported as parallel goals. The students learned to handle
environmental management at a company level and the companies developed their capacities within these fields. The course started with a visit at the case-company, followed by five lectures where the students did assignments based on the challenges of the case company. At the end, the students presented and discussed their work with the companies. As appropriate case companies, we identified smaller companies who had relevant challenges for the students to work on, and who were interested in environmental management but did not yet have a system. The outcomes of the first two iterations of the course showed that the students got a deep understanding of sustainability issues in theory and in practice, while one company ended up changing their actual practices by e.g. implementing new sustainable business models, and they continued to develop their sustainability efforts after the students’ input. In the other company, the collaboration also enhanced learning, but not as successfully due to the type of company and the timing of the interaction between company and students.