The WMF Group-sponsored degree course in sustainable product management at Nürtingen-Geislingen University (NGU) is to get its first endowed chair. The post, financed by the WMF Group, will be filled by Professor Brigitte Biermann from the summer 2015 term onwards.
“Prof. Biermann is a recognised expert in the area of sustainability. Her desire to combine theory and practice will enrich the university and the WMF Group endowment,” says CEO Peter Feld. “The endowed chair is a conscious strengthening of our ties with the NGU and our commitment to Geislingen.”
Prof. Biermann is a political scientist. She studied in Bonn, Duisburg, Italy and the Netherlands. In addition to her academic expertise, she has many years’ experience in corporate consultancy.
“I consider it my duty to promote the transfer of knowledge between universities and classic SMEs,” she says. “With the WMF Group as an on-site partner, our university can meet its demands for a large practical element, which naturally benefits our students.”
Prof. Biermann’s main tasks will involve developing individual measures and sustainability strategies designed to maximise sustainability effects within companies.
“The greatest sustainability potential for companies lies in product development,” she says. “Good product design can often remove non-sustainable effects. Sometimes all you need in order to achieve higher sustainability is not to do certain things.” The new chair also wants to make students more aware of this.
This approach matches the values of the WMF Group, a global brand company famous for its design, innovation and functionality which also considers sustainable product development extremely important.
“Sustainability criteria play an increasingly important role in customers’ purchasing decisions,” Peter Feld explains. “The degree course in sustainable product management thus creates an important balance between economic success factors and the responsible use of natural resources.”
