Explore the impact of learners showcasing competency mastery through challenge submissions.At Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, we believe in the power of mastery learning and its ability to foster the development of 21st-century competencies.

Through this innovative approach, learners are empowered to tackle challenges, supported by a team of dedicated experts who provide invaluable guidance and feedback as they earn online degrees and certificates through our challenge-based learning method.

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Central to this idea is the motivation for individuals to engage actively in each challenge, demonstrating their proficiency in the targeted learning outcomes through assessments. With over 100 competencies spanning across six distinct categories, learners are given the authority to choose challenges that resonate with their personal and professional growth goals.

Our broad network includes industry leaders, mentors, and skilled tutors, experts in their fields. They assess learners, ensuring dedicated engagement with each challenge. Their feedback drives personal growth, refining skills and deepening understanding. This guidance allows learners to evaluate progress and choose paths for ongoing development, be it specialization or exploring new competencies. Challenge and competency-based learning is recognized as a forward-looking and widely accepted educational approach shaping the future of learning. Watch the Co-Founder & CEO of ToU, Dr. Thomas Funke, speak to mastery learning and the ToU competency framework. 

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A crucial milestone in each challenge is the capstone, which serves as the point of formal assessment. Learners submit their work for evaluation, marking the culmination of their efforts. The completion of the capstone showcases the learner's proficiency in the challenge's subject matter. Assessment results and constructive feedback are provided by our dedicated tutors. Learners have the opportunity to review their performance, gaining insights into their strengths and areas for improvement. This personalized approach fosters a sense of motivation to push further and strive for excellence.

At Tomorrow University, we are committed to empowering learners to unleash their full potential. Through mastery learning and the collaborative efforts of our tutors and learners, we strive to cultivate a culture of continuous growth, where every challenge becomes an opportunity for development.

Now, let's meet some of the remarkable tutors at Tomorrow University and catch a glimpse of what our learners have been working on. Their dedication and expertise contribute to the vibrant learning community, ensuring that our learners receive the best possible support on their educational journey. Learn more about them and some of the submissions by learners after completing a challenge.

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Georg Bollweg (LinkedIn)

Georg is a mathematician with a diverse background and a global perspective. Born in Peru, he embarked on a new chapter of his life at a young age when he relocated to northern Germany. Since then, he has been on an intellectual journey, particularly focused on the field of mathematics, while also nurturing a deep passion for exploration and travel.

Currently based in Munich, Georg has immersed himself in the vibrant academic community of the city. His studies have led him to develop a keen interest in areas such as Model Uncertainty, Sublinear Expectations, Mean-Field Stochastic Differential Equations, and Affine Processes. In pursuit of further knowledge and expertise, he is currently engaged in a doctoral program in mathematics at LMU (Ludwig Maximilian University).

Georg's experiences living across different continents have fueled his curiosity about the world. With a genuine passion for travel, he has embarked on numerous journeys, immersing himself in diverse cultures and expanding his global perspective. Through his intellectual pursuits and worldly adventures, Georg continues to uncover new mathematical insights and foster a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of the world.

Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a love for exploration, Georg embodies the spirit of a lifelong learner. As he continues to make strides in his mathematical research and unravel the mysteries of the discipline, he embraces the opportunities to make meaningful connections both within the realm of mathematics and across the globe.

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Learner submissions from Georg:

In the Data Structures & Algorithms Challenge, learners explore a wide range of data structures and algorithms, engaging in hands-on experiments to gain a deeper understanding of sorting algorithms' unique characteristics. They dive into the world of data manipulation and analysis to unravel the secrets of these powerful tools. Dr. Dominik Pretz did exactly this. He also offered some advice for those getting started.

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What advice would you give to a programming beginner aiming to write a sorting algorithm?

“My advice to beginners in programming would be to study and understand the basic concepts, steps, and working mechanism of the algorithm you have chosen even before writing the code. In my opinion, it is crucial to understand the concepts behind algorithms before even looking at the code. As the next step and to gain experience with coding, choose one of the simplest algorithms and get as familiar as possible with the code. It may be helpful to break down the algorithm into small and understandable steps to better understand the algorithm in more detail. Only if you understand what the different steps of the algorithms are doing and you are able to debug these simple algorithms can you start writing your own code. Write and test your code as often as possible since gaining experience is most important.”

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In the Technology Revolutions Challenge, learners have a close look at technological trends that are likely to have a strong impact on the way we live, the way we work, the way we do business, and the planet itself. They identify the threats and opportunities provided by this technological trend with a focus on an industry of their choice and make a deliverable to communicate them effectively. Julia Weiss chose nanotechnology and explored its effect through her hands-on research.

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Ana Godonoga (LinkedIn)

Ana Godonoga Research and Teaching Associate at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. Her doctoral studies focus on universities' social responsibility and impact. With experience at UNESCO and OECD, Ana brings expertise in higher education research and quality management. She holds a joint Master's Degree in Research and Innovation in Higher Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Economics. 

Ana holds a joint Master’s Degree in Research and Innovation in Higher Education from Danube University Krems, Austria, and Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Germany; and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics from College of Wooster, United States.

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Learner submissions from Ana:

In the Introduction to Entrepreneurship Challenge, learners have the opportunity to interview a remarkable entrepreneur or innovator whom they admire for their creativity, business expertise, or impactful mission. This individual could be a local entrepreneur who has made a significant impact or someone from a company that has truly inspired them. Zana Pekmez decided to interview another learner, Eilecia Bovard, who met her Co-Founder and started her own business, The Perfect Farm, while in the program. Zana did a great job of providing some useful insight on the impact of ToU on her entrepreneurial journey. Merle Becker took the idea to go above and beyond and interviewed three impact entrepreneurs.

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Sami Asad (LinkedIn)

Sami Asad is an ecologist originally from the United Kingdom who currently divides his time between Berlin and Bali. With a strong focus on ecological research, Sami is dedicated to addressing sustainability challenges related to natural resource use. His expertise lies in exploring ways to improve sustainable management practices by studying the effectiveness of sustainable timber extraction methods in preserving biodiversity and maintaining tropical forest functions, a subject he extensively researched during his Ph.D.

While Sami's professional pursuits revolve around ecological research, he also nurtures a deep personal connection with nature. He spends a significant amount of time immersed in the outdoors, indulging in activities such as hiking and wildlife observation. Furthermore, he finds joy in the culinary arts and kickboxing, balancing his scientific endeavors with a diverse range of interests.

Sami's multidimensional approach to life reflects his passion for understanding and protecting the environment. Through his ecological research and personal experiences in nature, he strives to make a positive impact on sustainability practices and foster a harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world.

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Learner submissions from Sami:

In the Business & Society Challenge, learners propose a collaboration/partnership between a business of their own or one that they selected and another organization (can be another business, NGO, or charity). The learners create a proposal and outline their plans for addressing a key social issue via cooperation between the two entities. Marina Bopp embraced the challenge as an opportunity to adopt a comprehensive systems thinking approach, addressing sustainability issues entwined with Intel's semiconductor production.

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In the Sustainability Foundations Challenge, learners explore the transformative potential of incorporating ethics and sustainability during the design phase. By doing so, they broaden and deepen their impact on both people and the planet and how to integrate these principles from the start. Zala Katarincic-Markic made a concise overview of the business, its associated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) or relevant law, and an innovative approach to surpassing legal requirements.

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Katalin Butt-Bethlendy (LinkedIn)

Katalin is a dedicated university lecturer in the field of Education for Sustainable Development based in the United Kingdom. With a strong background in languages, including ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and Academic English, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Katalin's expertise extends beyond linguistic studies to encompass cultures and humanities, enriching her teaching and research with a multidisciplinary approach. 

Passionate about creating a sustainable future, Katalin actively promotes global competence and advocates for active, future-focused, and challenge-based learning methods. She firmly believes that education plays a crucial role in shaping a better world for all. By fostering critical thinking, encouraging empathy, and nurturing a sense of responsibility, Katalin strives to empower learners to become agents of positive change.

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Learner submissions from Katalin: 

In the Strategy Development Challenge, learners get the chance to craft a solid plan for their very own business idea while mastering the art of strategic methods. They delve into the world of market understanding and uncover valuable market evidence along the way. Throughout the challenge, learners unleash their entrepreneurial spirit and mindset. Lisa Garzarolli-Riedl approached data collection and analysis with utmost dedication, ensuring it served as a foundation for her strategy development. Her commitment to detail was evident in the excellent information provided in her appendices and references.

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In the Sustainable Business Modeling Challenge, this challenge learners map their own business model. They craft a problem-statement, and create a business model as well as unfair advantage to position themself in the market clearly. Julia Weiss accomplished precisely that by openly sharing her problem statement and ideas, thereby serving as an inspiration to others.

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Meet our learners and see what skills they are building and are in the process of building at the university. To learn more about our programs, download our brochure and connect with our community to learn how you can also make a shared impact.