• Graduated from the Master SUBE in 2025
• Student: Applied AI postgraduate

The SUBE programme prepared me in a way that goes beyond a traditional engineering degree. Its interdisciplinary structure encourages you to think across domains, which reflects the reality of today’s complex problems and job market.

One of the most valuable skills I developed is structured problem-solving. SUBE trains you to break down complex challenges – whether technical, business-related, or sustainability-focused – into clear, actionable components, and to communicate your reasoning effectively. This combination of analytical thinking and communication has proven valuable even outside the direct scope of sustainability.

The programme is also highly future-oriented. The mandatory internship, in particular, provides a strong advantage. It was my first real professional experience and played a key role in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry expectations.

What I appreciated most about SUBE is that it doesn’t confine you to a single career path. The broad, interdisciplinary skill set opens doors to a wide range of fields. In my case, it has already enabled me to successfully pursue opportunities in software engineering and data-related roles, demonstrating the versatility of the programme.

My advice to current and future students is to fully invest in both the technical and soft skill components of the programme. The presentations, group work, and especially the internship are not secondary – they are key differentiators. If you actively develop these alongside your technical foundation, you will significantly expand your opportunities after graduation.

• Graduated from the Master SUBE in 2025
• Function: PhD-researcher in the research group A-PECS of the Department of Bioscience Engineering

After obtaining a master’s degree, you have two choices: start working and apply what you’ve learned, or continue studying. I chose something in between: a PhD. I never expected to take this path, but the Master of Sustainable Urban Bioscience Engineering (SUBE) — and especially my master’s thesis on the thermal impact of transforming a parking lot into an urban park — completely changed my mind. I really enjoyed working on my own project from scratch. To continue this kind of research, I started a PhD at the research group A-PECS within the Department of Bioscience Engineering at University of Antwerp and now focus on heat stress and air pollution in street canyons.

The CityLabs (and especially the Integrated Cases) included in the SUBE programme were the perfect preparation for my current job. The Conceptual Frameworks still guide me today and give me a solid foundation in urban climate and health. What stayed with me most was the multidisciplinary mindset: not just thinking like an engineer, but understanding the broader urban context. That’s also why my current project is partly embedded in the research group Urban Development and Spatial Planning at the University of Antwerp’s Faculty of Design Sciences.

In my PhD, I now carry full responsibility for my own research project, while also taking on additional tasks such as supervising thesis students and assisting in lectures. It’s safe to say that I remain strongly connected to the Master SUBE.

Before starting my PhD, I went on a trip with two other SUBE alumni, Seppe and Fran. After two years of studying sustainable cities — both through coursework and hands-on projects — we wanted to experience urban sustainability outside the familiar context of the programme. We chose Singapore, often described as one of the most typical examples of a sustainable city. After immersing ourselves in its urban environment, we then escaped into nature of Malaysia and Thailand.

Because the Master SUBE only launched in the academic year 2023-2024 and I finished my bachelor’s degree in 2021-2022, I had to wait a year before starting the master’s programme, but I never regretted this decision and would choose it again in an instant!

• Graduated from the Master SUBE in 2025
• Function: Tender Engineer at DEME Offshore

“Sustainability is a universal priority, shaping every sector and opening new opportunities for those ready to build a greener future.” This has always guided me, and it was exactly what drew me to the SUBE programme. Today, I work as a Tender Engineer at DEME, helping to prepare large-scale offshore projects: with my focus on wind turbine foundations. My role combines technical expertise, project planning, and commercial insight, and I take pride in contributing directly to the expansion of renewable energy and innovative offshore technology.

 Every day, I work on tender proposals: analysing client documents, defining methods, estimating costs, assessing risks, developing installation schedules, and coordinating with internal teams and external partners. Without a well-prepared tender, a project simply cannot proceed, and being part of that first crucial step is incredibly rewarding.

 The SUBE programme prepared me perfectly for this work. As a bioscience engineer, I learned to think in systems: analysing complex ecological, technical, and economic challenges and translating them into actionable plans. My quantitative and modelling skills, combined with strong communication and teamwork abilities, allow me to navigate the multidisciplinary nature of my role. Most importantly, SUBE gave me a sustainability-driven mindset that fits seamlessly with offshore wind projects. While I continue to learn the technical specifics at DEME, SUBE provided me with the professional skills I needed to succeed.

 What I enjoy most about my job is that it offers continuous challenge and growth, aligns with my values, and allows me to work on something I genuinely care about. I am supported and encouraged to become the best version of myself, collaborate with inspiring colleagues, and work in a role where no two days are the same. I also get to combine my sustainability expertise with my technical work: I am currently the Sustainability SPOC within the tender department and take part in sustainability-focused workshops, representing DEME in various sustainability-related contexts.

 For anyone considering SUBE, my advice is simple: be bold. When I started, some bioscience engineers hesitated because the programme seemed less well known or the career paths unclear. But companies are curious and eager to understand the unique perspective you bring. Sustainability is increasingly important every day, and SUBE prepares you for the future.

 Dare to explore. Dare to think outside the box. Dare to choose SUBE.

• Graduated from the Master SUBE in 2025

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by nature, energy, and the environment we live in. This passion naturally led me to the Master in Sustainable Urban Bioscience Engineering (SUBE), a unique programme that provides insight into how technological, societal, and ecological systems interact in cities – and how this knowledge can be translated into practical, sustainable solutions.

 What I valued most about SUBE was its interuniversity, multi-campus structure. Each university brings its own specialism and teaching approach, which taught me to adapt quickly, organise my work effectively, and remain flexible in a dynamic learning environment. The excursions and CityLabs were particular highlights: they offered hands-on experience and a direct connection to real-world urban sustainability challenges. The project connected to the CityLab: Urban Resources, where we had to make a neighbourhood sustainable and circular in a feasible way, revealed my true interests and gave me concrete examples to share in job interviews.

SUBE helped me develop a versatile skillset. I learned to analyse complex systems, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, apply different technologies and methods, and translate theory into practical solutions. My master’s thesis on vegetation as an urban filter and my internship at Sweco further strengthened this skillset, providing hands-on experience in professional contexts where I was trusted to lead my own projects and see the real impact of my work.

Today, I am looking forward to opportunities in energy, sustainability, environmental management, and urban systems. SUBE has taught me to view systems holistically, understand interconnections, and develop practical, sustainable solutions. The programme has equipped me with the tools and confidence to turn my passion into real-world impact