The Polyvalk was christened ‘Campus Cleve’ and was handed over to Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences today by the Friends of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences – Campus Cleve e.V.
Kleve District – Every word he utters conveys enthusiasm: “The Polyvalk is a brilliant training boat. I learnt to sail on boats like this myself – quite late in life; I was over 20, just like our students,” says Professor Dr Alexander Klein. It is considerably larger than a dinghy and can accommodate four people. And, according to Klein, it is capable of reaching speeds of up to five or six knots in moderate winds. “The Polyvalk is a classic Dutch folk boat,” says the professor at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, summing up his personal thoughts on a gift that has now been given to him and his students.
The Friends of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences – Cleve Campus e.V. purchased this keelboat in the Netherlands a few days ago; it is a second-hand boat, seven years old, with two sails and a small outboard motor. The mainsail now bears the logo of the Friends’ Association, which has thus ensured its place in history as the donor. The whole boat is transported on a small trailer, which forms part of the ‘package’ purchased in Terherne.
The request to introduce such a boat into university life was made by Professor Dr Klein to the Friends’ Association’s executive committee, well before the winter break at the end of last year. “This means we’ve been able to acquire it at a good price,” said Peter Wack, chairman of the Friends’ Association – which now has 266 members – expressing his delight.
Following the recent handover of a new Smart Forfour to AStA chair Carolin Holtey – which the General Students’ Committee will use to travel between Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort – the recent handover of the Daysailer is, once again, a “clear sign of our commitment to our university, the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences”, said the chairman.
At the small handover ceremony on the campus of the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, in addition to the Friends’ Association board members Peter Wack, Hans-Josef Kuypers, Wilfried Röth and District Administrator Wolfgang Spreen, the new President of the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Dr Heide Naderer, and Professor Dr.-Ing. Alexander Klein were also present. For Dr Heide Naderer, the ‘present handover’ to the university marked her first face-to-face meeting with the board members of the Campus Cleve Friends’ Association. She thanked everyone present for this “delightful moment” and described the students as the “real winners of this morning”.
