Driving sustainability in higher education through industry-academia collaboration

By Jan Quint, Senior Sales Enablement Specialist: Higher Education  

In an era where sustainability is at the forefront of societal and institutional priorities, higher education institutions (HEIs) face a triple challenge: achieving ambitious climate goals, evolving to meet modern educational demands, and addressing budget constraints. These challenges require bold, innovative approaches.

For many institutions, partnerships with industry are key to bridging the gap between aspiration and action, addressing complexities too great to tackle alone. As a technology company with strong ties to higher education and a leader in sustainable and technological innovation, we support HEIs worldwide on their journey towards smart net-zero campuses and  create impactful academic environments that transform the everyday in education and research.

Key fields of action

HEIs are increasingly judged not only on academic performance but also on their sustainability commitments. Industry partnerships elevate their profile by delivering measurable results in carbon reduction, campus efficiency, and social impact.

Building retrofitting
Modernizing existing infrastructure with energy-efficient solutions, such as LED lighting, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and heat pumps, reduces energy costs and carbon emissions, delivering immediate sustainability benefits.

Energy transformation
Transitioning to clean energy helps HEIs reduce emissions and operating costs. We support institutions in adopting renewable energy sources, implementing smart grids, and optimizing energy management, enabling them to meet ambitious net-zero goals while building resilience and achieving financial savings.

Smart infrastructure
Digital, IoT-driven technologies allow campuses to monitor and manage buildings and resources effectively. Smart sensors installed across campus buildings provide data on energy use, space utilization, and indoor climate, enabling data-driven analytics and decisions that improve sustainability, efficiency, and the student experience.

Empowering students through real-world engagement

However, our efforts to drive sustainability in higher education go far beyond infrastructure improvements. Offering experiential learning opportunities is essential to prepare students for a sustainable future. Industry-university collaborations address the green sector skills gap by exposing students to state-of-the-art technologies, innovative engineering expertise, and diverse career opportunities. We support HEIs through three central initiatives:

• Curriculum development
  Collaborating on courses and degree programs ensures sustainability and technological innovation are integral to the student experience. Siemens experts also teach at partner institutions, equipping students with specialized knowledge in sustainability technologies.
• Hands-on experience
  Access to state-of-the-art tools and facilities allows students to gain practical experience that enhances their employability. That’s why we have launched initiatives like EMPOWER+ and “connected curriculum,” invite academics and students to join our Siemens Research and Innovation Ecosystem, and sponsor internships, mentorships, and on-campus placements, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
• Living labs
  We collaborate with HEIs worldwide to create living labs where students, researchers, and faculty can interact with the latest sustainability technologies and use real-world data collected on the campus. The benefits are mutual, as we gain a pipeline of skilled talent and opportunities for co-innovation, while HEIs can better support applied research and prepare students for careers in the fast-growing green economy.

The role of collaboration in institutional success

Sustainability in higher education is about more than achieving climate goals; it’s about building a legacy of innovation and impact. Industry-university collaborations bring together complementary strengths: HEIs provide fertile ground for research, talent development, and community engagement, while industry contributes expertise, resources, a focus on achieving measurable outcomes, and opportunities for better research commercialization. Together, we can transform higher education with vibrant, sustainable campuses and drive the kind of transformative change the world so urgently needs.