DTU strives to offer the best engineering education in Europe. However, it may be challenging to precisely define how our programmes differ from those of other European universities. Therefore, DTU has prepared an educational signature that characterizes DTU's approach to education in five ways.
The signature is partly based on the fact that our study programmes are based on excellent research and partly on DTU's strategy. Students, heads of studies and lecturers have contributed to the signature, which is aimed at current and future students, employees, alumni, employers and collaborators. The aim is that it will serve as a guideline for how we educate future engineers while supporting the educational culture at DTU.
"The educational signature is a story about what we value when we educate the engineers of the future at DTU. I'm often asked what we do well. The signature is intended help us be aware of this. My hope is that in this way we can protect our strengths and use them to develop our programmes. This can help attract more students and create pride among the staff," says DTU's Dean Philip Binning.
Sustainability frontrunner
One of the characteristics that sets DTU apart from other universities is that students design their own study programmes. DTU does not have a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Instead, students at DTU have a high degree of flexibility to tailor their programmes and choose courses based on their interests. This provides a level of freedom not known outside Denmark.
Another characteristic is that DTU educates engineers for a sustainable future. While many universities work on sustainability, only very few in the world can boast of having integrated sustainability education into all of their programmes, says Philip Binning:
"DTU has been a frontrunner in sustainability for many years. As an example, I can mention the student conference 'Green Challenge', which has been running for over ten years. Here, students compete to come up with the best green solutions to sustainable problems. Today, sustainability is a fundamental part of our study programmes, and we have even drawn up a sustainability charter that commits us to thinking about sustainability as a cornerstone of all our programmes."
Digital mindset
DTU also sets itself apart from other universities by instilling a digital mindset in students. Denmark is one of the world's most digitalized societies, and this is reflected in DTU's study programmes. Digitalization, both in theory and practice, is a fundamental element in all our programmes, and it is one of the main focuses of the University's strategy.
Other features of DTU's approach to education include teaching students to work individually, in groups, and with partners. As a university, DTU is known for its close collaboration with businesses and organizations. For example, over half of our student projects are carried out in collaboration with a company as a partner.
Finally, DTU is the university of innovation, says Philip Binning:
"Innovation is in DTU's DNA. All our engineering programmes include innovation as a set part of the curriculum. This helps bring new ideas and inventions from the classrooms and research laboratories into the real world, where they can contribute to creating new jobs and addressing challenges in society."
