Sustainable Supply Chains (Hessen:ISU – International Summer University) Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Sustainable Supply Chains Programme Description:

Sustainability will be the dominant driver in the design of future supply chains and businesses. Sustainable supply chains need to balance the triple bottom line of people, planet and prosperity while achieving a positive financial performance.

In order to achieve a sustainable value chain, a set of comprehensive approaches need to be taken into consideration — from improvements in the production processes, the management of customer expectations, and collaboration with first-tier and second-tier suppliers.

In this course, you will learn about the importance of alignment and translate sustainable strategy into actions. You will also learn about sustainability trade-offs, prioritisation and much more. Additionally, you will learn how supply chains can be transformed into sustainable supply chains without losing its profitably.

(Virtual) seminars provide the theoretical basis for supply chain management and sustainability.

The Triple Connection simulation game will help you to understand the relevant decisions and trade-offs that are needed to transform supply chains.

Field trips will help you to see examples of sustainable logistic solutions, innovative technology and best practices in real life.

Learning objectives:

To provide an introduction to the basic concepts of sustainable supply chains

Students should be able to conceptualise a sustainable supply chain approach for a specific business, dedicated product and for regions.

In addition to various field trips, participants will engage in a business simulation game by implementing a sustainable strategy for a virtual chocolate milk manufacturer. Participants will be confronted with various real-life, real-time dilemmas. They will be compelled to make decisions that are critical to maintain a fair balance between profitability and sustainability. Participants learn to align and set the right priorities in creating a sustainable supply chain.

A three-day academic excursion to Berlin and regional company visits are part of the programme.

German language courses:

In addition to the academic seminars, students can attend intensive German language courses. These courses are offered at three different levels (ranging from beginner [A1] to intermediate [B1]).

Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and the Arts

An early-bird discount will be applied to applications received before 1 March 2027. In this case, the programme fee will be reduced to 2,200 EUR.

The ISU Darmstadt is a blended programme. The on-site seminar is complemented and preceded by virtual group work.

• Part one — online: May 2027
• Part two — on-site in Darmstadt: June/July 2027

The teaching and learning contents and objectives as well as the structure of the module are geared mainly towards undergraduate and graduate students of supply chain management, logistics or economics and business administration with specialisation in supply chain management.

Students with a different academic background should get in touch with the programme coordinator to check if participation is possible.

There is a shared kitchen on each floor of the hotel that students can use to make breakfast. They can also have breakfast at the hotel restaurant at their own expense. 

Lunch is offered at the campus cafeteria at a very low price.
Participants are responsible for making their own arrangements for dinner.

The ISU Darmstadt offers an exciting cultural and social programme:

• Intercultural training
• Excursions to Heidelberg and the Rhine River Valley (Rüdesheim)
• Climbing park
• International picnic and trivia night
• Coffee and cake event