Study Programs & SDGs

The study program Business Administration Online is particularly closely aligned with SDG 4 “Quality Education” and we mainstream sustainable development into our curriculum, aiming to ensure that students acquire skills and competences necessary to promote sustainable development. By integrating aspects of responsibility, ethics and sustainability into our teaching, we aim to foster critical reflection on and challenging of the status quo and contribute to a sustainable future. Through offering university education in a blended learning format, we provide affordable and flexible access to high-quality university education to learners irrespective of age, gender, occupation, or nationality.

In our study program, we are also dedicated to SDG 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production”, working towards raising students’ awareness for sustainable development on an individual and organizational level. We offer relevant information on sustainable practices and lifestyles in harmony with nature in private and professional contexts. We encourage students to promote sustainable practices such as sustainable procurement or reducing waste generation in their organizations of employment and in their individual consumption behaviour.

Head of Study Program: Christiane Aufschnaiter, Bakk. Phil. PhD
SDG Ambassadors: Julia Waldegger
Study Program: www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/business-administration

The department “Business & Management” offers Bachelor and Master programs that enhance students’ awareness of the SDG framework and are closely aligned with SDG 4 “Quality Education”. We continuously strive to integrate sustainability-related topics into our curricula, ensuring that our students acquire the essential skills and competencies to become advocates of sustainability in their future careers. Moreover, our goal is to nurture critical thinking skills among our students by incorporating an understanding of cultural differences, the principles of responsible management, ethical decision-making, and sustainability into our teaching methods. By incorporating current international topics from business & society into our courses, we empower students to become proactive and responsible professionals. By offering affordable university education in multiple formats and languages, students can choose the most suitable format based on their current circumstances. This guarantees a high-quality university education with a low threshold, regardless of age, gender, occupation, or nationality. Furthermore, with a strong focus on SDG 4 “Quality Education”, the study programs actively support SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 12.

We actively support SDG 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth” by enhancing students’ awareness of international working conditions. Through specialized courses, we encourage students to critically reflect on labor rights, safe working environments, and decent work with equal pay. Furthermore, we promote students’ skills by training them in managerial and ethical decision-making, and we discuss ways to improve resource efficiency in consumption and production.

We actively endorse SDG 9 “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” by providing education that enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding of innovation and change within companies, organizations, and communities. This empowers them to evaluate, implement and drive processes that lead to sustainable development. Through specific educational modules, entrepreneurial business labs as well as in research projects, we encourage students to engage with subjects that interconnect innovation and sustainability, both within MCI and in collaboration with local and international companies or community partners. We aim to advance innovation and change toward sustainable development across various industry sectors.

We actively support SDG 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production” by enhancing students’ awareness of sustainable practices at both individual and organizational levels. Through specialized courses, students gain insights into the circular economy, sustainable entrepreneurship, and various practices such as sustainable procurement and waste reduction. Doing so, we encourage them to integrate these principles and practices into their daily (work) lives while also reflecting on their consumption behavior.

At MCI | The Entrepreneurial School^®, our commitment to sustainable development extends far beyond mere words. We take pride in our efforts to address the SDGs and work collaboratively to create a better and more sustainable future for all.

Head of Study Program: Prof. Dr. Thomas Stöckl
SDG Ambassadors: Julia Vögele, Lucas Huter, Rebekka Schuh
Study Program (full-time): www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/business-management
Study Program (part-time): www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/business-management-part-time

“We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world on to a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind.” (UN Resolution A/Res/70/1)

The tourism business programs are closely aligned with SDG 8, and we endeavour to apply responsible management practices, aiming to create decent job creation, fostering creativity and innovation for SMEs in the tourism industry, and promoting local culture and products.

Furthermore, we actively support SDG 9 by supporting economic development and human well-being, seeking to achieve an equitable access for everyone. Through the implementation of monitoring tools for sustainable development impacts, we aim to foster sustainable management practices and the efficient use of natural and cultural resources, contributing to the overall goal of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns and making a difference in the tourism and leisure sector (SDG 12).

In our study program, we are also dedicated to SDG 11, working towards a sustainable development of communities and cities in order to strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. Through the support of positive economic, social and environmental links, we strive to promote collaboration within and throughout tourism destinations, fostering innovation and climate adaption strategies and creating lasting change in making communities inclusive, safe, resilient and thus more sustainable. In addition, other SDGs are addressed in our teaching and research activities such as SDG 10, 15 and 17.

By integrating the SDGs into teaching and research, we aim to create the next change makers, who actively contribute to a sustainable future in the tourism and leisure sector and act as future change makers. Having in mind that sustainability is a life-long journey, and not a destination, we continuously improve our teaching and research approach. In the future, we aim to put more focus also on other SDGs relevant for the tourism industry like SDG 3, 5, 7, 13, and 16.

Head of Study Program: Prof. Mag. Hubert J. Siller
SDG Ambassadors: Birgit Bosio, Stefanie Haselwanter
Study Program: www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/entrepreneurship-tourism-leisure-business

With its focus on engineering science education, the program in Environmental, Process, and Energy Engineering is closely linked to SDG 13 and its technological measures for climate protection. Addressing this SDG is the basis for supporting further SDGs in the program. Through imparting solutions-oriented competencies for energy and environmental issues, we aim to promote the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources and contribute to an environmentally friendly future in the field of "Green Technologies."

Building on this foundation, we also focus on SDGs 6 and 7, enabling students to expand their knowledge in the areas of water treatment and renewable energy. For example, through extensive research we strive to reduce pollution and minimize the release of hazardous chemicals and substances [6.3] through membrane technology in water treatment. Furthermore, we advance responsible management of local resources through research and development in biomass energy generation [7.2], thereby contributing to the substitution of fossil energy sources.

In our program, we also address SDG 12 and work towards sustainable consumption and production patterns to achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and other waste throughout the life cycle [12.4]. Through a holistic approach and life cycle analyses, we aim to comprehensively assess environmental impacts and thereby demonstrate sustainable changes and connections.

Head of Study Program: Prof. Dr. Werner Stadlmayr
SDG Ambassadors: Valetina Forer, Lucas Schuchter
Study Program: www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/environmental-process-energy-engineering

The Industrial Engineering programme is particularly closely linked to SDG 12 "Sustainable Consumption and Production" and we are committed to empowering our students to drive sustainable development in industrial companies. By continuously developing our curriculum and adapting the content of our courses, we aim to promote innovative solutions and contribute to a sustainable future in areas such as sustainable procurement and zero waste.

In our degree programme, we also focus on SDG 9 "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure" and work on specific projects to further promote sustainable economic growth. By working on project work in groups, we aim to promote joined-up thinking to develop problem-solving skills and bring about sustainable change in the private sector.

Head of Study Program: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Pillei, BSc MSc
SDG Ambassadors: Sabine Mader, MSc
Study Program: www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/industrial-engineering-management

The bachelor study program MANAGEMENT & LAW is particularly closely aligned with SDG 16: “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”. We endeavour to offer a balanced combination of management-oriented and legal focal subjects, aiming to encourage our students to widen their scope of action in an international environment. By creating awareness and equipping students with expertise on the legal context and its development, we highlight the importance of strong institutional frameworks and their role for a sustainable future.

In our study program, we are also dedicated to SDG 12: “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”. Working towards organizational behaviour & change in order to think about new structures or possibilities to support a more sustainable way of producing customer goods or delivering services. We focus on equipping students with tools to analyse consumption & production patterns and, moreover, outline ways to shift organizational practices.

Furthermore, we actively support SDG 8: “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. By equipping students with a deep understanding in the field of economics and business, we contribute to knowledge creation on the importance of sustainable economic growth.

Head of Study Program: Prof. Dr. Ralf Geymayer
SDG Ambassadors: Andrea Wopfner, Daniel Degischer, Johannes Dickel
Study Program: www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/management-law

The Mechatronics programs at MCI empower students to actively contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by combining cutting-edge engineering education with real-world application. Aligned with SDG 4 – Quality Education, the department strengthens technical education by delivering relevant skills that empower learners to drive innovation and sustainable change in industry. Through a strong focus on SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, students engage in innovation-driven, project-based learning in areas such as automation, robotics, AI, and intelligent systems. The programs address SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, by integrating energy-efficient technologies and e-mobility into the curriculum, enabling graduates to support the global transition to clean energy. In line with SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, sustainable product development, resource-aware engineering, and lifecycle thinking are embedded in both coursework and research. Across all study levels, the department prepares students to shape a sustainable, high-tech future through responsible innovation.

Head of Study Program: DI Dr. Phillip Kronthaler
SDG Ambassadors: Mag. Sandra Walder
Study Program: www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/mechatronics

The study program “Non-Profit, Social & Health Care Management” is closely aligned with several SDGs, since it aims to prepare the students to effectively react to social and global changes which Non-profit, social and health care institutions are facing. First of all the study program address the 3rd SDG : Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. We endeavour to prepare our students to be responsible professionals and managers in the healthcare, non-profit and social sectors, enabling them to create and implement the changes and innovations necessary to foster good health and well-being in their communities and beyond. In particular, we want to contribute to SDG 3 Target 3.4. “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” Additionally, SDG 3.8, "Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all," is of great importance to us because it is closely related to SDG 1.

Good health is inseparable bound to social factors. The Bachelor Program "Non-Profit, Social, and Health Care Management" places great importance on SDG 1. This goal focuses on eradicating poverty in all its forms, which is crucial for effectively managing non-profit, social, and health care organizations. By addressing poverty, the program promotes social inclusivity, fostering equal opportunities within the communities it serves. Moreover, SDG 1 aligns with the program's aim of sustainable development, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices. With the aim of sensitizing students to the topic of reducing poverty, the program contributes to improved health and well-being outcomes for marginalized populations.

Based on our effort in supporting SDG 1 and 3, we are also dedicated to SDG 4 within our study program: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, in particular Target 4.7. which aims to “ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development”. By engaging all our students in SDG related practice projects involving collaboration with external companies and organisations, we strive to promote education for sustainable development, fostering our students’ understanding, competencies and agency to create sustainable change in the non-profit, social and health sectors.

Furthermore, we actively support SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries, especially working towards the goals outlined in Target 10.2 to “empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” We are pursuing this goal through promoting the values of inclusivity and equality in our teaching activities, but also in our everyday practice. Based on these efforts, SDG 5 “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”, and in particular SDG 5.5, is a key interest of our program. We aim for our students to become pioneers in "ensuring women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life."

Finally yet importantly, the topics mentioned so far are connected to the preservation of our planet as a liveable space. This is why SDG 13 “take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”, and in particular SDG 13.3 - "Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning" - plays an essential role in the curricular orientation of the study program.

Head of Study Program: Dr. Lukas Kerschbaumer, BA MA
SDG Ambassadors: Renate Windbichler, Angela Wong, Desiree Wieser
Study Program: www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/nonprofit-social-health-care-management

The Department of social work is particularly closely aligned with SDG 1 “No poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere” and we endeavour to providing students with comprehensive and differentiated knowledge about various forms of poverty. The aim is to prepare students for a professional and thus also critical-reflective approach to the topic of poverty. By various practical projects in cooperation with social organizations we want to promote their fight against poverty with the help of scientific knowledge and contribute to a sustainable future in areas such as social security. In doing so, we contribute through socio-political approaches in particular to target 1.3 “Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable”.

In our study program, we are also dedicated to SDG 3 “Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. This is of particular importance for future social workers, as a central goal of social work is to enhance the well-being of people (Global Definition of Social Work). By conveying an understanding of a holistic concept of well-being, which includes physical as well as mental and social well-being, we want to raise the awareness of students, practice partners and research partners for the multifaceted nature of well-being. In this way, we strive to bring about sustainable change in the social sector. Through knowledge transfer in the areas of (social) psychology, clinical social work, addiction, dis/ability and social psychiatry, we contribute in particular to the achievement of the target 3.4 “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being” and 3.5 “Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol”.

Within the framework of SDG 5 "Gender equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls", we actively advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women* and girls*. Our commitment focuses on creating a more just and inclusive society in which women* and girls* enjoy the same opportunities and rights as their male counterparts. In doing so, it is essential for our teaching to make existing power relations and patriarchal structures consciously visible, so that our students can critically-reflexively understand their own lifeworld and that of their clients, even against the backdrop of social inequality. In addition, we place great emphasis on sensitizing our students to the various facets of gender identity and expression. We promote an inclusive understanding of gender and work to break stereotypical notions. SDG5 is central to our social work education as it supports our mission to address gender inequality and empower women* and girls*. Our students are empowered to recognize gender dynamics in different contexts, develop innovative solutions, and actively participate in creating a more equitable society where gender is not a barrier to realizing potential.

In the context of SDG 10 "Reduce inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries" we are committed to promote a more equitable and inclusive society in which people have equal opportunities and rights regardless of their background, income or other social characteristics. In doing so, we place particular emphasis on making existing inequalities and discrimination visible in order to provide our students with a critical and reflective understanding of social inequalities. Our course content is about analyzing the mechanisms and structures that contribute to inequality: locally, as well as globally. We look at the impact of income inequality, discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, or other factors, and the social consequences of inequality. Our students learn how, as social workers, they can help reduce these inequalities and promote social justice. Another important aspect of our curriculum is promoting empowerment and participation of disadvantaged communities and populations. We teach strategies to empower people so they can improve their own circumstances. In doing so, we consider the diversity of needs and challenges people face and work to find solutions that are tailored to individual situations. However, this consideration does not end with the target groups in Tyrol or Austria, but looks at global impact contexts and responsibilities to make awareness about inequality between different countries visible. In summary, SDG 10 is central to our social work education as we aim to help address social inequality between groups of people, with implications for international contexts, and contribute to the creation of more just societies. Our students are empowered to identify inequities, develop solutions, and actively advocate for a more inclusive and equal future for vulnerable individuals.

Furthermore, we actively support SDG 16 “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions” This is done primarily by imparting knowledge and skills in the area of basic legal principles and human rights in our teaching. The principles of social justice and human rights form the basis of social work (Global Definition of Social Work), which is why they also form the core of our teaching. Through extensive awareness raising and the promotion of non-governmental social organizations, e.g. through research projects, we exert a positive influence on this goal. Conveying to prospective social workers that social work is a human rights profession is central to this.

At MCI | The Entrepreneurial School, our commitment to sustainable development extends beyond words. We take pride in our efforts to address the SDGs and work collaboratively to create a better and more sustainable future for all.

Head of Study Program: Prof. Dr. habil. Belachew Gebrewold
SDG Ambassadors: Johanna Hofmann, Laura Feith González, Renate Gruber
Study Program: www.mci.edu/en/study/bachelor/social-work

The MCI Executive Education portfolio is closely aligned with SDG 4, "Quality Education". Education is an entrance ticket and at the same time a guarantee for staying up to date and being able to compete. Higher qualification opens doors, provides new perspectives and food for thought. Especially in times of ongoing change, increasing digitization and knowledge evolving rapidly, education is more important than ever. In a fast-paced world, the half-life of knowledge is steadily decreasing, making lifelong learning a necessity - regardless of the stage one is in. In order to meet this challenge, the continuing education programs offered by the MCI Executive Education focus on entrepreneurial thinking, solution orientation, innovation, and sustainable action.

In particular, we are dedicated to SDG 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth” as well as SDG 9 “Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure” aiming to design and offer study programs that encourage an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative management approach. A primary emphasis is placed on providing support to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which play a vital role in our positioning as an Entrepreneurial Business School. To this end, we equip our students with a practical roadmap to capitalize on business opportunities, spur growth, and ultimately create new job opportunities.

On top of this, the MCI Executive Education is closely aligned with SDG 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production” by empowering our students with the essential expertise and skills required to play an active role in driving the green transformation of companies, particularly in the context of the European Green Deal. By defining, reflecting on, and developing skills, competencies, attitudes, and value systems related to responsible management and green transformation, our objective is to foster a sustainable mindset among our students, thereby making a significant contribution to a sustainable future. Specifically, we train our students in ESG principles and promote them in becoming active and responsible agents of change in a corporate environment.

Associate Dean Continuing & Executive Education: Mag. Susanne Herzog
SDG Ambassador: Dr. Maria Wallnöfer
Executive Education: www.mci.edu/en/continuing

In line with the core values of SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 12, this master program is particularly dedicated to empower participants in systematically identifying and analyzing business problems, in developing innovative and effective solutions and in taking responsible decisions by developing both exploitation and exploration skills in international contexts.

Associate Dean Continuing & Executive Education: Mag. Susanne Herzog
SDG Ambassador: Dr. Maria Wallnöfer
Executive Education: www.mci.edu/en/study/executive-master/executive-mba

In line with the core values of SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 12, this master program is particularly dedicated to empower students in becoming agents of responsible management and leadership by developing social, environmental and economic skills and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.

Associate Dean Continuing & Executive Education: Mag. Susanne Herzog
SDG Ambassador: Dr. Maria Wallnöfer
Executive Education: www.mci.edu/de/studium/executive-master/management-leadership-msc

In line with the core values of SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 12, this master program is particularly dedicated to empower students in becoming change agents for the digital transformation by developing state of the art knowledge at the intersection between digital business and tech law.

Associate Dean Continuing & Executive Education: Mag. Susanne Herzog
SDG Ambassador: Dr. Maria Wallnöfer
Executive Education: www.mci.edu/de/studium/executive-master/digital-business-tech-law-llm