We are incredibly proud that one of our graduates Jana, has won the Alumni Sustainability Champion prize. Her work with the UN is undoubtedly important, but she has also been a great help to other students as they get started in their own careers. Read on her interview with the alumni team here.

On Saturday, 22 June 2024, the University held its annual Alumni Gala Dinner. The event saw over a hundred alumni and their guests invited back to campus to celebrate and thank them for their contributions to CCCU since graduation.

The main event of the Alumni Gala Dinner is the Alumni Awards ceremony, with this year seeing the most awards given to date. This is due in part to the addition of a the new Alumni Sustainability Champion Award, with its inaugural recipient Jana Koperniech (BA/BSc (Hons) French/Global Politics, 2010). A graduate of both CCCU and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, Jana has been working at the United Nations since 2012. She supports global transitions to clean, low-carbon, and climate-resilient development, focusing on financing energy efficiency, clean energy, and low-carbon transport. Jana is dedicated to sustainable development, managing large infrastructure and energy projects that create jobs, economic savings, a healthier environment, and promote gender equality.

Though Jana wasn’t in attendance to accept her award in person, we caught up with her later to hear her story.

How does it feel to have won this award?

Being recognized as a Sustainability Champion feels incredibly rewarding and humbling. It is a powerful reminder that our collective actions today are crucial for creating a sustainable future for generations to come. How liveable we leave our environment around us is important. I am pleased that my work has allowed me to contribute to efforts, especially in developing countries, to address the challenges of climate change and sustainable development. This recognition also reaffirms my belief that every effort, no matter how small, can lead to significant positive changes.

Tell us about your current role.

I currently serve as regional technical advisor on climate change mitigation for Europe and Central Asia at the United Nations Development Programme, based in Istanbul, Türkiye. I lead sustainability initiatives focused on decarbonisation of different sectors, such as energy, waste, transport, or urban infrastructure.

The climate crisis is one of the defining issues of our time. It affects every country and community in the world. My responsibilities include developing and implementing multi-million-dollar projects that align with the Sustainable Development Goals, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring our projects meet both environmental and socio-economic objectives.

My everyday effort is put into helping countries planning, mobilising and accessing what we call climate finance to be able to put their plans of reducing greenhouse gases into action. Climate finance is critical to addressing climate change because of the large-scale investments that are needed to transition to a low-carbon global economy and to help societies build resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This includes supporting a variety of investments – from charging infrastructure for electric buses, through energy efficient retrofits in buildings, to deployment of renewable energy.

What made you want to pursue a career in sustainability?

At university, I became very interested in the topic of energy security, so much so that I wrote my thesis on it. Renewable energy was an important piece of that puzzle. I am grateful for having the chance to turn this interest into action at the United Nations in Vienna, Austria, where I started my first post-university job.

What is your favourite thing about what you do?

The most rewarding aspect of my job at UNDP is seeing the real-world impact of our sustainability projects. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, conserving resources, or engaging communities in sustainable practices, knowing that my work contributes to a healthier planet is incredibly fulfilling. Being part of the countries’ transformation is exciting. Additionally, I love collaborating with passionate individuals from around the world who share a common goal of making a positive difference.

If anyone reading is thinking of working in your field, what advice would you give them?

My advice would be to stay curious! Most importantly, stay passionate and persistent, as this field requires a lot of dedication and resilience. Working for an organization like the United Nations can provide a global perspective and vast opportunities to make a significant impact.

How did you come to study at CCCU when you did? Why BA/BSc (Hons) French / Global Politics?

I chose to study Global Politics and French at CCCU because it offered a unique combination of language skills and a deep understanding of global political dynamics. In the rest of Europe, it is not so common to have the chance to do what we can describe as joint or double degree – combining more than one degree subject during bachelor studies. The concept appeals to me as I believe it offers graduates higher chance of employability as well as more options to pursue Masters degrees in different subjects.

What are your fondest memories of your time at CCCU?

My fondest memories of University are centred around the sense of community and the opportunities for learning.

I cherish the late-night study sessions with friends from all over the world, engaging in lively discussions that often extended beyond the classroom. As a student from Central Europe, specifically Slovakia, it was important for me—as well as for many other international students coming to CCCU at the time—to be able to build a new home away from home and blend in. Canterbury made that seamless.

Moreover, the academic support and encouragement I received from my professors were invaluable. Their guidance helped me navigate my future academic steps.

What does being a CCCU Alum mean to you?

It is a source of pride to be part of a community that values excellence, innovation, and making a positive impact in the world. My time at CCCU prepared me well for the challenges and opportunities I face, and I remain grateful for that.

How did your time at CCCU impact on your life and career post-education?

My time at CCCU was instrumental in shaping my career path. CCCU provided a robust academic foundation that has been crucial throughout my professional journey.

The University offered the opportunity to engage with forward-thinking educators who were not only knowledgeable, but also passionate about their subjects. Their innovative teaching methods and willingness to explore new ideas helped me develop critical thinking and analytical skills. This ability to analyse issues from various perspectives has been invaluable, especially as I further honed these skills during my subsequent Master’s studies in Austria and later in my career.

What are your goals for the future?

Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to a future where sustainable practices are the norm. As a mother, I am particularly driven by the want for my daughter to live in a world that our generation is not ashamed of leaving behind.

This blog first appeared on the CCCU Alumni Blog on 25 July 2024