Students collect ideas for more sustainability on the HSRW campus

At the “Sustainable Campus” innovation sprint, students at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) came together to achieve something big: the sustainable transformation of their own university.

In cooperation with the HSRW’s Study Advisory Service (ZSB), Florian Gaisrucker, Innovation Manager in the TransRegINT project, created a platform that enabled the collection of innovative ideas for making the campus more sustainable from a student perspective. The participants engaged in intensive discussions about untapped potential and developed creative solutions in teams. In doing so, they highlighted both the current successes and challenges of HSRW’s existing sustainability efforts.

From a personal perspective to the development of an action plan

The workshop was divided into several phases: The introduction about sustainability at HSRW was followed by exploring personal experiences and collecting wishes and ideas for the future, planning the necessary steps to realize these ideas, developing an action plan and the final pitch of the ideas. The team with the best idea was awarded with HSRW-designed hoodies.

The event began with an open discussion about the personal meaning of sustainability and the crucial aspects that are relevant to the students. Various needs and wishes were discussed in order to gain a better understanding of how the HSRW can meet them.

Integration into the German job market, a sharing economy between the university and students, a repair café for bicycles and education in the area of waste prevention are particularly important to HSRW students

The students propose a sustainable campus that includes a university garden, composting facilities, food donations from the canteen and the greening of roofs. Other ideas include education on waste prevention, efficient drainage of lawns, rainwater collection and innovative wastewater treatment. Projects for small animal husbandry and the promotion of a sustainable labor market in Germany are also to be supported. The latter idea primarily addresses the challenges of language barriers and interculturality.

“We quickly realized that social sustainability is close to the students’ hearts. Especially when it comes to overcoming language barriers and integrating foreign students into the German labor market. This is the only way we can shape a fair and diverse future.” – Katja Kunkel, Sustainability Officer at the HSRW

What happens to the ideas?

The ideas and suggestions collected will now be evaluated and incorporated into the future planning and implementation of the HSRW’s sustainability strategy. We would like to thank all participants for their valuable contributions and look forward to working together to further advance sustainability on campus.

“It was inspiring to see how committed and creative the students are when it comes to making our campus more sustainable,” explained Ina Thörner (ZSB) after the event. “The numerous ideas and suggestions clearly show that the topic of sustainability is really close to students’ hearts.”

Do you also have ideas for a more sustainable and better future?

Our regional office “DialogPunkt Kleve” is the perfect place for you to share your ideas and exchange ideas with like-minded people. Find out more about upcoming events here!