I-BE³: Engineering Education for a Sustainable Future

The UNESCO report identifies two major imperatives.

First, broadening and diversifying the community of engineers — by attracting more women and students from varied social and cultural backgrounds, ensuring that the solutions designed are inclusive and representative of society as a whole.

Second, re-imagining engineering education by embedding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into curricula, fostering interdisciplinary and data-driven approaches, promoting project-based learning, and preparing students for lifelong learning in a rapidly changing world. 

The International Bachelor of Environmentally Engaged Engineering (I-BE³) is a direct response to this global call. Rooted in the SDGs, it trains bachelors of engineering who combine scientific excellence with social and environmental responsibility. Each semester, students tackle real-world challenges, applying engineering fundamentals to issues such as energy, health, mobility, climate, and digital transitions.

At I-BE³, we believe engineering is more than a profession; it is a driver of social, cultural, and environmental transformation. By training environmentally engaged bachelor in engineering, we aim to prepare a new generation ready to design a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future. 

 I-BE³ stands out for its innovative, competency-based pedagogy, designed to develop both scientific rigor and systemic thinking. This approach bridges disciplines, linking the fundamentals of engineering and data science with the cultivation of transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, creativity, and ethical awareness.

At the core of the program are semester-long SDG projects inspired by real-world societal and environmental issues. These projects connect theory and practice, allowing students to work collaboratively, engage with external partners, and propose responsible engineering solutions. 

From the very first semester, students follow a clear skills framework that guides their academic and personal growth. Supported by continuous mentoring and feedback, they gradually build their digital portfolios of achievements (Open Badges) that certify the skills they acquire. 

This dynamic, reflective learning process fosters autonomy, motivation, and purpose. By graduation, I-BE³ students are able to articulate and demonstrate the full range of their competencies, from disciplinary expertise to leadership and innovation, ready to act as engineers of change driving the sustainable transformations of the 21st century.