On 27 August 2021, Kai Gehring, Member of the Bundestag and spokesperson for science, research and higher education for the Greens in the Bundestag, together with Hans-Peter Weiß, a Bundestag candidate for the Wesel 1 constituency, as well as members of Alliance 90/The Greens from the Kamp-Lintfort local branch and the Wesel district branch, to the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.
The discussion with representatives from the university covered a wide range of forward-looking topics. Gehring was impressed by the modern campus and, in particular, the opportunities offered by the Green FabLab: “The Kamp-Lintfort campus of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences is an outstanding laboratory for the future, dedicated to teaching and research for change – impressively international, interdisciplinary and diverse. As a university of applied sciences, it stands for holistic innovation, focused on the global sustainability goals and modern knowledge transfer – from science to business and society. I was inspired both by the way the lecturers and the Green FabLab tackle major challenges, and by the large number of international students and partner universities worldwide. This makes Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences an excellent catalyst for the sustainable ideas of tomorrow – both in the region and across the globe.”
In this context, the university’s President, Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, emphasised the importance of applied research in driving change and stressed: “Major societal challenges can only be tackled through an interdisciplinary approach.” The university is exceptionally well-positioned for this because, as Locker-Grütjen explained, “the theme of social responsibility runs like a common thread through our degree programmes.” Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Kisters, Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer, added that the university is currently driving forward the development of its academic profile. “Sustainability issues play a crucial role in this process of refining our profile.”
Speaking highly of the university, Weiß remarked: “With its interdisciplinary degree programmes focused on sustainability, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is making an important and forward-looking contribution to our society.” He was particularly impressed by the many projects relating to sustainable food systems and bio-economies, such as the project on the baobab, the fruit of the baobab tree: “Here, the university demonstrates how a more sustainable and fairer food supply can be developed through international, interdisciplinary teams and in collaboration with industry and commerce.” But the local community also benefits from the university, according to Weiß: “I am also pleased that many projects have a local focus, such as the restoration of the Große Goorley, because this makes the university tangible and valuable to the citizens of Kamp-Lintfort and the district, even beyond its academic activities.”
Other participants from the university included Prof. Dietrich Darr, Prof. Dr Klaus Hegemann, Prof. Dr Daniela Lud, Dr Petra Radtke, Prof. Dr Kai Jörg Tiedemann and the head of the AStA Social Affairs Department in Kamp-Lintfort, Merlin von Mallinckrodt. At the meeting, the academic staff representatives presented current research projects ranging from agricultural sciences to environmental remediation. This was followed by a tour of the Kamp-Lintfort campus and the Green FabLab on the former site of the State Garden Show. Sarah Hockertz, Andreas Köhler and Christina Lantwin from Alliance 90/The Greens also took part in the visit.
