Sustainable Change Starts with the First Generation of Changemakers 

This marks an important milestone for THUAS, where the Centre of Expertise Mission Zero and the Faculty of Business, Finance & Marketing (BFM) joined forces to develop a programme that equips professionals to drive sustainable change. 

Looking Beyond Green Solutions 

“What attracted me to this master’s was that sustainability isn’t approached solely as an environmental or technical issue. It’s also about the people, relationships and structures behind the challenges we face,” says Kiera Marks, one of the first graduates. This broader perspective is exactly what THUAS aims to encourage through the programme. Bas van den Berg, Associate Lector at the Centre of Expertise Mission Zero, recognised the need for a programme that prepares professionals to play an active role in the sustainability transition. “We want to educate people who have the knowledge and skills to help bring a more sustainable world within reach.” The programme was developed through close collaboration between education and research. Within BFM, Jochem Vreken and Sander Limonard contributed to the curriculum, while Anne-Marie Blok-Draijer played an important role in the accreditation process and programme design. 

Learning Through Experimentation 

The master’s combines theoretical knowledge with practical learning. Students work on real-world sustainability challenges and develop skills in systems thinking and leadership. As one of the first students, Kiera also contributed to shaping the new programme. “I actually found it valuable to be a kind of guinea pig for a new programme. You’re not just learning for yourself, but also helping shape the programme for the students who come after you. I started seeing sustainability less as a checklist of environmental measures. It’s also about how we learn and relate to one another.” 

From Master’s Degree to Societal Change 

THUAS developed the master’s in collaboration with partners from the business community and public sector. This brings real-world challenges directly into the classroom. Graduates can pursue careers as transition managers, programme managers or sustainability managers. Kiera is already applying what she learned in her own work. “When I work on a project, I no longer just look at what’s happening, but also why it matters, who’s involved and which perspectives are at play.” Her most important lesson from the master’s? “You don’t always need to have the perfect answer to get started. Sustainability transitions are complex. But you can explore, experiment and work towards change together.”