About the Project

The project involves cooperation between Osnabrück University (UOS) in Germany and the Universidad Técnica Nacional de Costa Rica (UTN). UOS is supporting UTN in its efforts to have a transformative impact through the development of business models in sustainable agriculture and aquaculture and their transfer into practice. This involves offering of educational programs to develop leadership skills in students. The newly established Center for Sustainable Development Studies (CEDS) at UTN will play a key role in promoting inter- and transdisciplinary research, systems science and development studies. A long-term impact of cooperation with UOS would be achieved by supporting CEDS in their efforts to develop a facility for inter- and transdisciplinary research and education with international recognition.

UTN has extensive experience in supporting the development of practical sustainability innovations and facilitation of leadership, while UOS has a long tradition in systems science and inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation. Through the exchange on sustainability innovation and leadership skills, this partnership will promote transformational change in Costa Rica in terms of the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services. This exchange also supports education in these areas at both universities by allowing students and researchers to gain experience in and a good understanding of the linkages between biodiversity and development issues through first-hand experience in research and teaching.