Caption: Robert Beinio (left), Brigitte Jansen (second from right) and Irina Tönnißen (right) presented the ‘Campus Cleve Social Award’ on behalf of the Friends’ Association to the dedicated group of professors: (2nd from left to right) Prof. Dr Philipp Schorn, Vice-President Prof. Dr Tatiana Zimenkova, Prof. Dr Joachim Fensterle and Prof. Dr Gregor van der Beek — Caption: Robert Beinio (left), Brigitte Jansen (2nd from right) and Irina Tönnißen (right) presented the ‘Campus Cleve Social Award’ on behalf of the Friends’ Association to the dedicated group of professors: (2nd from left to right) Prof. Dr Philipp Schorn, Vice-President Prof. Dr Tatiana Zimenkova, Prof. Dr Joachim Fensterle and Prof. Dr Gregor van der Beek

02/06/2023

The Friends of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences – Cleve Campus e.V. honours professors for their support of Ukrainian partner universities

“We simply started helping.” This is how Prof. Dr Tatiana Zimenkova, Vice-President of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW), begins her account of the support provided by the HSRW in the context of the war in Ukraine. She is one of a total of four professors who were presented with the “Campus Cleve Social Award” at this year’s Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences – Campus Cleve e.V. Prof. Dr Gregor van der Beek, Prof. Dr Joachim Fensterle and Prof. Dr Philipp Schorn are the other professors who received the award from Robert Beinio, First Chairman of the Friends of Campus Cleve e.V.

‘The first Social Award that I have the honour of presenting on behalf of the Friends’ Association is aimed at a very special group at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences. I am delighted that we are able to present such an award in these difficult times,’ said Robert Beinio as he opened the ceremony. The group of professors then took turns to give an emotional account of the events and activities. Immediately after the war began, HSRW made contact with its partner universities in Kharkiv to offer assistance. Refugees were taken in, study places were made available and laboratory facilities were set up. The resulting “Capacity Building for Ukraine” project aimed to identify and meet the needs of the two partner universities in the areas of study, teaching and research, whilst at the same time fostering a sense of normality within the academic and research community through digital means. Furthermore, the project sought to develop measures for capacity building and the reconstruction of the academic and research infrastructure in the post-war period. Naturally, this was done whilst taking into account the unfortunately still uncertain war situation and the rapidly changing circumstances. “The project has certainly achieved its objectives,” said University President Prof. Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, who was among the first to congratulate the group of professors, expressing his satisfaction.

Prior to this, the President had reported on the university’s current situation. Among the latest developments at the university was the launch of the project ‘TransRegINT – Transformation of the Lower Rhine Region – Innovation, Sustainability, Participation’, which is receiving funding of just under 10 million euros until the end of 2027 from the ‘Innovative University’ funding initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Another development concerns the right for universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia to award doctorates, which will enable them to award doctorates for the first time this summer. Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, gained an insight into the diversity of research and teaching at HSRW during a meeting with various members of the university on 19 May 2023.

Prof. Dr William Megill and the members of the ‘HSRW Submarine Team’ also provided fascinating insights. Short videos showcased the success of the world champion team with their self-built submarine at the “European International Submarine Races”. The project has been supported for many years by the Förderverein Campus Cleve e.V.

In the Executive Board’s report, Campus Cleve’s Managing Director, Brigitte Jansen, highlighted the key moments of the Friends’ Association’s financial year. She drew particular attention to the ‘Students Meet Business’ event, which attracted over 40 participating companies, and mentioned supported events such as the ‘Homecoming Cup’, the ‘Best Idea Cup’ and the joint ‘Weckmann dinner’.

In the 2022 annual accounts, Jansen noted expenditure of just over 100,000 euros in the past financial year. For instance, a vehicle had been provided for the AStA, eight scholarships had been funded in collaboration with Sparkasse Rhein-Maas, and financial support had been given to a wide range of student events. In addition, a substantial sum had been contributed towards the establishment of an endowed professorship in ‘Sustainable Land Use Systems’.

Following the presentation of the ‘Campus Cleve Social Award’, the meeting concluded with a visit to the laboratory of Prof. Dr William Megill. Here, the members discovered a small submarine museum and were given fascinating insights by members of the “HSRW Submarine Team” into the submarine’s design, propulsion system and technology.