Studium Generale

Sustainability in the Region

Not only industry and economy are in constant flux, but also our personal and societal lives are affected by it. Implementing sustainability while considering economic and social aspects plays a crucial role in shaping a livable future.

Under the title Sustainability in the Region, experts from the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) and other speakers from the region will illuminate topics such as value chains, modern work practices, biodiversity in urban areas, and bioplastics. The lectures will take place on Tuesdays from 7:00 to approximately 8:30 pm on the Kleve or Kamp-Lintfort campus (Audimax, Building 01) respectively.

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24.10.2023, Audimax, Campus Kleve Sustainability in Life Dr.-Ing. Peter Kisters, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Transfer and Professor of Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Product Design at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics Kisters lays the groundwork for upcoming lectures by university staff and professors. "Sustainability and transformation are big terms of our time. But what ideas and proposed solutions lie behind them, what can each of us do to achieve sustainability goals, and what does this specifically look like in the region? We aim to bring these lectures to life in our General Studies program," says Kisters, looking forward to exchanging ideas with interested citizens.

07.11.2023, Lecture Hall 6, Campus Kleve New Work at the University: New Work - New Problems? Dr. Wögen N. Tadsen, Professor of General Business Administration with a focus on Personnel and Organization at the Faculty of Society and Economics and Daniela Wolfsdorf, HSRW Head of Department for Personnel and Organization The COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as a major innovation boost at many universities: suddenly, digital teaching and remote work became possible. The resulting changes in the way university staff work are critically examined in terms of appreciative workplaces - from both a general and academic perspective as well as from a practical point of view.

Presentation

21.11.2023, Lecture Hall 6, Campus Kleve What do walnut forests in Kyrgyzstan have to do with cosmetics manufacturers in the Lower Rhine? Dr. Dirk Bockmühl, Professor of Hygiene and Microbiology at the Faculty of Life Sciences, Philip Schiering, Research Associate in the research focus "SUFACHAIN, Development of Sustainable Agroforestry Systems" Robert Beinio, Managing Director of bb med in Kalkar Walnut forests in Kyrgyzstan provide an important livelihood for the local population, while overuse of the forests increasingly threatens their stocks. The design of sustainable agroforestry systems with walnuts aims to reduce pressure on natural forests. In addition, the raw material efficiency in walnut processing is currently low, and walnut shells are often an unused waste product. In the context of the research project 'SUFACHAIN - Sustainable Forestry and Agroforestry Value Chains in Central Asia,' researchers and partners from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Lower Rhine region explore ways to use these apparent waste products in the international cosmetics industry, for example, to replace microplastics in skincare products such as peels. Prof. Dr. Dirk Bockmühl will shed light on this topic from a scientific perspective, while Robert Beinio will provide a practical perspective.

Presentation

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Philip Schiering, Prof. Dr. Dirk Bockmühl, Mitarbeirin bb med, Robert Beinio

 

05.12.2023, Audimax, Kamp-Lintfort Urban Greenery and Urban People Dr. Daniela Lud, Professor of Environmental Assessment and Environmental Remediation at the Faculty of Communication and Environment This is about the opportunities of biodiversity in urban areas using the example of the Kamp-Lintfort Zechenpark and how, in the face of current challenges, the interactions of the ecological and social dimensions of sustainable urban development can be addressed.

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Prof. Dr. Daniela lud

 

19.12.2023, Lecture Hall 1, Kleve Bioplastics Against Plastic Pollution - Is Everything Going to Be Fine? Dr. Christoph Heß, Professor of Non-Metallic Materials at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics Against the backdrop of limited fossil resources and increasing ecosystem pollution from plastic waste, bioplastics are coming into focus of public attention more and more. But what are bioplastics? What are they made of, and what are their special properties? And (how) can they contribute to protecting our environment?

Presentation

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Prof. Dr. Christoph Heß

 

16.01.2024, Lecture Hall 6, Kleve Emotional Labor and Its Effects on Educational Professionals Dr. Corinna Titze, Professor of Applied Psychology at the Faculty of Society and Economics and Julia Mai, Research Associate at the Faculty of Society and Economics Educational professionals are the most important resource in (early) childhood education and care: they have the well-being of our children in their sights with professional expertise, commitment, and appreciation. But who is looking out for the well-being of our professionals? The demands on professionals are high: fulfilling legal educational mandates, maintaining a professional pedagogical attitude, age-appropriate interaction with each individual child, individual support across all developmental areas, participation, collaboration with parents and other stakeholders, all while facing a shortage of professionals, increasingly larger group sizes, and often poor pay. Sick leave due to mental stress is increasing - nothing new so far. The research team takes a further - so far little-noticed - component of the professional profile under scrutiny: the scientific concept of emotional labor is presented, described in its previously known effects on mental health, and transferred to the pedagogical workday. Findings from qualitative and quantitative research are presented and their implications discussed.

Presentation

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Prof. Dr. Corinna Titze and Julia Mai

 

The lectures of Studium Generale offer scientific talks that are intelligible for everyone and help to build a general universal education. All events are free to attend for everyone and target both students and the public, citizens and pupils as well as all members of the university and people interested in science. The evening events not only aim to provide further education, but also provide a platform for lively exchange and discussions on current issues.

If you have any feedback or questions feel free to contact innovation@hochschule-rhein-waal.de. We look forward to your participation.

 

Results of the survey

In the winter semester 2022/23, Studium Generale took place under the title Digital technologies for a liveable future in cooperation with the research center "center for assistance and participation (CAsPar)".

In order to further develop and improve the Studium Generale, we have started to conduct a survey among the visitors after each period of lectures.

The answers of the surveys are shown graphically below: