The Joint International Master in Environmental Sustainability (JIMES) Summer School 2026 marked the beginning of an exciting academic journey for students pursuing the programme at Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education and Research, Pune, India and at the University of Cologne, Germany.
Led by Prof. Dr. Shamita Kumar (BVIEER, Bharati Vidyapeeth University) and Prof. Dr. Christina Bogner (University of Cologne), the four-day Summer School brought students together through group exercises, collaborative assignments, discussions, presentations and reflection. Students from India and Cologne worked together online on urban climate, education and plastic pollution challenges, bringing diverse perspectives to shared sustainability concerns.
Beyond academic learning, the programme created a strong foundation for intercultural exchange, peer learning and collaboration. Working together from the very beginning enabled students to learn from different contexts while building connections that will continue throughout their JIMES journey. The Summer School concluded with reflection and an introduction to e-portfolios, encouraging students to carry their learning forward in their JIMES journey.