Technology can act as a major accelerant to advance sustainability initiatives across different organizations. However, for many professionals, it may not be always easy to remain up to date with the latest technology developments relevant to their organizations and respective sustainability goals.
Sustainable technologies and business models are expected to bring benefits in revenue, costs, and shareholder returns, while meeting constantly evolving regulatory requirements and global standards. (1)
Technology can act as a major accelerant to advance corporate sustainability initiatives. (2) Technology can also enable new business models targeting net-zero and other environmental, social, and governance goals. (3) Achieving a true sustainability requires however game-changing technologies, such as advanced materials, new manufacturing technologies (like additive manufacturing), a de-carbonized energy system with renewables and grid-level storage, electrical cars and trains with power semiconductors, industrial automation, to name just a few.
However, for many professionals well advanced in their careers, it may not be always easy to stay up to date with the latest technology developments relevant to their organizations and respective sustainability goals. This may lead to a feeling of being less performing in their jobs, but also to feeling disconnected from those colleagues or departments that are more technology advanced. Furthermore, opportunities to advance in the career by expanding the role vertically/horizontally in the organization, will feel more and more limited. Such issues are particularly exacerbated for those business professionals that did not have a previous technical degree, as opportunities to upskill or enter the world of technology at a later stage are practically non-existing.
The MAS ETH in Applied Technology (MAS ETH AT) programme has been introduced in 2019 to address exactly the urgent need of upskilling professionals in technology, independent of their educational background. In this programme, ETH Zürich has brought together the expertise of world leading engineering programs to offer a unique opportunity to gain strategic insights into key technologies for sustainability. It specifically addresses the needs of professionals working for industry, government, and other technology focused organizations. It facilitates the understanding of the most impactful applied science and technologies shaping the sustainable society and the businesses of the future (e.g. “reverse MBA”). As mentioned before, a previous technical degree is NOT required to attend the programme.
The MAS ETH AT programme provides a strong foundation in key areas of applied technology for sustainability, while preparing professionals for roles of increasing responsibility in their organizations. After attending the programme, the participants will be able to:
- Bring strategic insights on which technologies are relatively quick and easy to implement, but will have the biggest impact on their business towards sustainability;
- Accelerate R&D and sustainable product developments through optimized internal processes or with the support of external partners (including setting up innovation ecosystems);
- Become a key link between business and technology groups leading to new, more sustainable business models.
The structure of the MAS ETH AT programme is specifically developed to accommodate the busy schedule of professionals of today. It is a part-time programme, with flexibility in selecting the right focus topics for each participant from multiple Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) programmes.
Each CAS programme can be attended individually (i.e. outside of the MAS programme).
To match the requirement of the official ETH MAS degree, the participants must complete two additional stages:
Experimental Project Part
Apply in real environment key technical learnings and innovation practices from the previous CAS programmes. Participants can select from provided experimental projects or design their own project, which can be conducted in one of several participating ETH laboratories.
Master’s Thesis
Participants will propose a new application of a technology to solve a real-world business problem. The thesis will be supervised by an ETH Zurich professor and should demonstrate the ability to conduct independent, scientifically structured research.
Over the last years, many participants from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds have signed up for the MAS ETH AT programme. By attending this programme, these participants were able to UNCOVER A NEW DIMENSION TO THEIR CAREER. They became LEADERS in their organizations, playing a key role in bridging both technology and business developments as well as accelerating sustainability initiatives. If you are also motivated to uncover a new dimension to your career, please get in touch with our team! The application window to join the MAS ETH AT programme is currently open until 31 May 2024, for a start in the Fall Semester 2024.
More details are available on our website
“I have searched for this kind of programme for a long time and there is nothing even closely comparable on the market.
This MAS Programme differentiates itself from other continuing education studies in the way it uniquely combines state-of-the-art academic knowledge on topics like deep learning for computer vision, cryptography, material science or electric power grids with apt practical exercises like 3D printing, assembling an electric engine or an entire CO2 sensing device, to name just a few.”
Brit Schönenberger
MAS ETH AT Alumnus
References:
1. www.ibm.com/topics/sustainable-technology
2. www.bcg.com/publications/2022/advanced-tech-powers-new-net-zero-business-model
3. www.bcg.com/publications/2021/how-technology-helps-sustainability-initiatives
