Following an initial donation of 5,500 euros from the Friends’ Association in June, a further appeal has now resulted in additional support. The Friends’ Association’s President, Albert von Hebel, and its Managing Director, Daphne van Doorn, presented a cheque for 56,500 euros to the university’s President, Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen. “I would like to express my unreserved thanks to the Friends’ Association and its members for this extraordinary commitment to supporting our university and, in particular, our student body,” said Locker-Grütjen. The donation will once again go towards Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences’ COVID-19 relief fund, thereby benefiting more than 200 students in financial need. The relief fund was established during the summer term in collaboration with the General Students’ Committee (AStA) and is designed to provide short-term, unbureaucratic assistance to university students facing financial difficulties.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, students continue to be severely affected financially in the winter term as well. In many cases, they have found themselves in financial distress due to the loss of part-time jobs caused by the crisis and are therefore no longer able to finance their studies. Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences feels a particular responsibility towards its students in this regard and has appealed for support through a fundraising campaign. “This is an important contribution by Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences to help our students through the crisis, even during the winter semester,” said the university president. “We are showing our students that we will not leave them to fend for themselves during the pandemic, even during the still challenging hybrid term that is about to begin.” Students in need can apply for a one-off, non-repayable living allowance of 250 euros from the COVID-19 relief fund.
“The coronavirus pandemic will be with us all for some time yet. Supporting students is the Friends’ Association’s most important task. With this donation, we want to help ensure that students can cover their living expenses,” said Albert von Hebel, President of the Friends of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and Managing Director of Altana Management Services. Two major donations in particular – from Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG and the Maas Group – have given the campaign significant momentum. Hülskens Managing Director Werner Schaurte-Küppers emphasised: “Although the situation remains difficult, we will not leave the students and the university to fend for themselves. It is precisely in difficult times that we wish to show our solidarity.”
Ralf Langerbein, Managing Director of the Maas Group, also feels a sense of responsibility: “We hope this will give the students a little encouragement, as the university and its students are incredibly important to the region – including for us as a business.” The university would like to thank the Förderverein Hochschule Rhein-Waal e. V. and its members – Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG, the Maas Group, YMC Europe GmbH and Milestone Consult GmbH & Co. KG – for their generous donations.
