A new “remote-first” university that is aiming to deliver a more progressive education is launching – it will focus on sustainability, entrepreneurship and technology. It is the first time a European startup has launched such an institution.
Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences aims to educate future generations to create solutions for a more sustainable society, with a focus on impact and joint wealth.
Learners have access to cutting-edge research alongside mentors from organisations like Apple, Google, Share, and Delivery Hero and can finance their courses through future work.
“Today’s learners care about sustainability – they are the drivers behind tomorrow’s change”
It will allow learners to build “21st Century skills” in sustainability, entrepreneurship and technology through online and real-world learning, and offers flexible learning, anywhere in the world based on its newly developed platform.
ToU said it uses the European startup and innovation scene to help tomorrow’s business leaders create a more sustainable society through “creativity, courage and entrepreneurial drive”.
“The next generation of leaders don’t want to work for companies that pollute the environment. Companies that are not carbon neutral will have a hard time attracting talent,” said ToU co-founder Christian Rebernik.
“Today’s learners care about sustainability – they are the drivers behind tomorrow’s change. However, research shows that many of the traditional universities are not responding quickly and effectively enough.
“We launched Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences to help people create a more sustainable society – on a platform that addresses their needs. We are the first organisation to combine this modern way of learning with an emphasis on sustainability and responsible entrepreneurship.”
Courses will be open to students anywhere in the world and will be based on its newly developed platform. The new university will replace traditional lectures with challenge-based learning and “competency-defined personalisation”.
“The data-driven learning platform allows learners to define what they want to achieve before starting their course. Knowledge is acquired in a modern, active learning format at the learner’s own pace through interactive sessions, lasting around 15 minutes,” the university said in a statement.
The accredited bachelor programs are designed for six semesters and delivered in English. Places on each program are limited to 25 students.
The programs cost €550 per month, which can be funded through cryptocurrency and future work, while substantial scholarships are available.
“Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences is built to live up to and improve upon the original founding ideals of the greatest of all European universities – ideals that have unfortunately been abandoned by some of those very same institutions,” said ToU co-founder Thomas Funke.
“We want to rectify this by continuously challenging ourselves to reach further, challenging our learners to accomplish more, and eventually challenging others to follow our lead.
“Coupling intellectual development with experiential learning, our platform is designed to grow the learners’ competencies – the core of what learners need to solve the biggest challenges of our time – through a curriculum and challenge-based experience based on decades of scientific research on effective learning,” Funke added.
“As the need for 21st-century skills changes rapidly, universities all over the world are failing to adapt at the pace needed”
The startup is backed by Emerge Education, a European seed fund investing in founders solving what it calls the “$8.5tn skills gap”.
“As the need for 21st-century skills changes rapidly, universities all over the world are failing to adapt at the pace needed,” Emerge Education’s Mario Barosevcic said.
“At the same time, online education is no longer seen as optional but rather as the only way forward and the greatest way to meet the increasing need for affordable access to a fast-growing, global student population.
“Tomorrow University is at the forefront of this change – a student-centred digital, engaging and immerse learning experience and a global network of world-class mentors helps acquire future skills and a truly entrepreneurial mindset needed to create a better, more sustainable tomorrow.”
As well as offering remote learning, the university said that it will enable students to gain work experience or to travel the world, in addition to studying. It is also partnering with other institutions to offer courses.
ToU has a partnership with WU Executive Academy in Vienna, and jointly offers a Professional Master in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Technology.
“I am amazed how our innovations in terms of content, set-up and delivery resonate with our exceptional students,” said Barbara Stöttinger, dean of WU Executive Academy.
“It is beautiful to see how an outstanding group of professionals from all walks of life, very diverse as to professional, cultural and educational background can so push forward with their great ideas on how to tackle grand societal challenges. I am really excited to see that ToU will also make that possible for its bachelor students – and we are happy to contribute,” added Stöttinger.
