Award & First Semester Academy [05.10.21]
For a year and a half, there was more or less nothing happening on campus. But the committed students from the Sustainability Working Group (AKN) didn't let Covid slow them down: the First Semester Academy, Sustainability Weeks, Sustainable Mondays, Greef Office-Initiative - all of that was moved to the digital space very quickly. The Hohenheim University Council also finds this extraordinary and therefore awarded the AKN the prize for special student commitment in the summer. An award that gives the initiative tailwind for its goal of making the entire university a sustainable place. The next concrete project is also just around the corner: the second edition of the BaWü academy for first-semester students "zukunftsfähig" (Fit for the Future), which will take place from October 4-10. This time: On Campus.
Judith Blättler has experienced for herself what it means to start studying during the pandemic. After one year, she still knows little about the campus and has met her fellow students from the Bachelor's degree program in Agricultural Sciences mainly virtually.
But she is by no means isolated. From the beginning, Judith took part in online meetings of green groups such as Global Campus or the AKN. Today, the Bachelor's student is even a student representative in the Senate of the University of Hohenheim. Currently, she and her fellow AKN members are organizing the second edition of the "Erstsemesterakademie BaWü zukunftsfähig", which will take place from October 4-10.
"The idea of the First-Semester Student Academy is that we show new students how they can become active on campus in terms of sustainability even before the lectures begin. We want to connect committed people from very different degree programs. I myself attended the Academy a year ago as a participant, and looking back, a lot has really developed from the initial contacts there. I made new friends, got to know new ideas and became active myself in helping to shape campus life. There's an incredible amount happening in Hohenheim - and it's fun to be a part of it!", Judith reports.
Back on campus
As a digital edition, last year's Academy for First Semester Students was already very well received. Live on campus, the students now want to top it. One special feature, among others, is the Bioeconomy Day, which the students have included in the program to mark the Science Year 2020/21.
"Bioeconomy stands for a sustainable economy of tomorrow - and is an overarching guiding theme for research and teaching at the University of Hohenheim. We want to give the new students an impression right at the start of what this actually means in concrete terms. To this end, we have invited green startups founded by Hohenheim students and alumni, among others. In addition, an upcycling workshop is planned to illustrate the idea of the circular economy."
The program also includes workshops that only at second glance have something to do with sustainability: For example, the Hohenheim Debating Club will introduce the art of argumentation and self-promotion. After all, if you want to make a difference, you have to present your own position convincingly. Also on offer: a workshop on the subject of mental health. For the students, sustainability also means being mindful of their own mental resources.
Award for special student commitment
Auch beim Klimastreik darf die Hohenheimer Fraktion mit dem AKN nicht fehlen. Bild: AKN
This year, an award from the university gives the students an extra portion of motivation: As part of the Dies academicus, the AKN received an award for special student commitment. The patron of the €400 prize is the University Council.
Anna Struth from the AKN is also pleased about the recognition because the working group still has a lot planned on campus:
"It is important to us that universities think holistically about sustainability and drive it forward at very different levels. For example, as part of the curriculum in all degree programs. Or in operational topics such as energy supply, mobility, procurement and the Mensa. But transfer between universities and society is also important. Universities should become a real-life laboratory for green ideas and drive research in this direction. Universities must develop concrete sustainability strategies that take all these levels into account. We want to continue to advocate for this - and the prize gives us tailwind to do so!"
One concrete wish of the AKN is the establishment of a "Green Office" at the University of Hohenheim. It would bring together know-how and actors from all areas of the university and also facilitate student involvement in the topic of sustainability. Similar facilities are currently being established at many other universities.
Auszeichnung für Nachhaltigkeitswochen |
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Auch die hochschulübergreifende Initiative „Nachhaltigkeitswochen@ Hochschulen BaWü“ kann sich über eine Auszeichnung freuen. Die Evangelische Akademie Bad Boll verlieh den Studierenden den Akademiepreis „Werte leben – Zukunft gestalten“ |
A cross-university agenda
In fact, the Hohenheim AKN is not alone in its vision for the sustainable university of tomorrow. Events such as the First Semester Academy and the Sustainability Weeks take place simultaneously at several universities in Baden-Württemberg. An important platform for student networking on the topic of sustainability is, for example, netzwerk n e.V., in which the AKN is also actively involved.
And when it comes to making a difference in higher education policy, students across the state are pulling together: In a joint position paper in April, they summarized the path they believe universities should take to remain fit for the future.
The students are encouraged by the fact that the Presidents of universities around the world have also put sustainability at the top of their agendas this year. The theme of this year's conference of the Global University Leaders Council (GUC) in Hamburg was the contribution of universities to coping with climate change and to greater sustainability in society.
"In the final declaration, university leaders commit their institutions to a holistic approach to climate change mitigation and sustainability measures," reported Anna. "Our position paper already includes many of the GUC's demands. We therefore want to stay in conversation with the university leadership and other stakeholders about how a culture of sustainability can be holistically, boldly, and directionally embedded in the university's teaching, research, governance, operations, and transfer."
Text: Leonhardmair / Translation: Neudorfer
