The term "circular economy" is a term that has been bandied about a lot lately, both globally and locally. The circular economy is a trend that is one of the priority areas for sustainable development in the European Union. However, understanding its basic principles that can be successfully applied in practice may not be easy. That is why the Faculty of Environmental Technology at the University of Technology in Prague has opened a course of extension university studies for lifelong learning called Circular Economy. After a successful first year, the next year will start on September 7, 2018, for which it is possible to enroll now.
The course will offer answers to questions about what the circular economy really means, what opportunities it brings to those who are among the first to see its potential. It will focus on how to set up new business models that are sustainable, compliant with legislation and innovative at the same time. At the same time, it will provide participants with the latest information on the circular economy and plans and visions from a global perspective as well as on a local level.
"The transition from a linear to a circular economy will change the established approaches to resource use and will have a major impact on the development of new processes and technologies and on overall employment at home and in the EU. According to the latest estimates, the transition to a circular economy could create up to 2 million jobs and save €600 billion in the EU by 2030. However, to successfully implement this ambitious plan, we need to create a new generation of managers, leaders and citizens who will be able to effectively navigate and take advantage of the new opportunities offered by the circular economy concept," adds Soňa Jonášová, Director of the Circular Economy Institute. The Circular Economy course is designed for development managers, environmental managers, CSR or corporate ecologists. It is equally suitable for employees in key positions who decide on strategies chosen to ensure the "resilience" of the company and to seek new opportunities.
"Also in the second year of the continuing education course, academics together with practitioners will provide knowledge in various areas related to the circular economy. We will cover waste management, water management, air protection, alternative energy sources, waste prevention, recycling technologies, e-waste, food waste, life cycle assessment, CSR, certification, reporting and other topics. The advantages and shortcomings, perspectives and limits of the current tools for putting the circular economy into practice will again be presented. Our course is a platform for the exchange of views and experiences in the circular economy and is a ticket to a community of professionals who see business in context," adds Vladimír Kočí, course guarantor and Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Technology at the University of Technology in Prague.
The Faculty of Environmental Protection Technology of the University of Technology also cooperates with practitioners in this course. In the lectures, they point out concrete facts, activities or obstacles in the implementation of real projects by applying the principles of circular economy.
The first year of the course has already produced its first results in practice. Among the twenty-two students, who were mainly practitioners, was Klára Hálová from the company Karlovarské minerální vody, which supplies the course: "The course and the contacts I have made have a huge overlap with my work, so it is enriching not only for me as a person, but also for our company." In addition, this year Karlovarské minerální vody announced the launch of the research activities of the project Zálohujme? project, which aims to find out the possibilities of increasing the amount of PET bottles taken back in the Czech Republic. The research group, which is formed together with experts from the University of Science and Technology and the Institute of Circular Economy, was established on the basis of close cooperation during the course. "And this project is not the only one, we have also started to cooperate with other participants. We are trying to make sure that the fresh information they have gained on the course can be immediately applied in practice," adds Soňa Jonášová from INCIEN.
The next edition of the Circular Economy course will run from September 2018 to May 2019. It consists of 11 full-day teaching blocks, a two-day excursion to South Moravia and excursions to the Malešice WWTP and the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant in Prague. The graduate of the course will be able to perceive the context as well as the opportunities for the development of the specific area he/she is working in. He/she will also gain a comprehensive knowledge of the current state of development of the circular economy. Expert partners for the next year are the Institute of Circular Economy, z.ú., SUEZ Využití virov, a.s., the Circular Economy Association and Veolia Česká republika, a.s. The second year of the course will be held under the auspices of two ministries, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
There are still places left for the second year of the course! Practical information and registration can be found on the website: https://cv.vscht.cz/kurzy-cv/obehove-hospodarstvi. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Markéta Šerešová, e: marketa.seresova@vscht.cz
