Alongside many other German universities, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is taking a stand for an open, united and free academic and university culture by supporting the nationwide campaign ‘Universities Take a Stand’. A varied programme of events will be on offer during the summer term at both university campuses in Kamp-Lintfort and Kleve.
As part of the nationwide campaign ‘Universities Take a Stand’, universities and their members are called upon to champion a democratic, diverse and free higher education landscape. It is only when research and teaching can take place free from political pressure, ideological dictates or individual economic interests that insights emerge which critically scrutinise social developments and enable well-informed decisions to be made. At the same time, academia relies on a democratic framework: freedom of expression, open discourse and the protection of minority viewpoints. Together, democracy and academia are fundamental components of an open, enlightened society.
“The education of young academics at a university therefore means far more than imparting specialist knowledge and preparing them for professional life. Universities bear the responsibility of guiding students on their journey to becoming mature and responsible citizens. Democracy thrives on participation and on people who think critically and are willing to play an active role in social processes,” explains Prof. Dr Tatiana Zimenkova, Vice-President for International Affairs and Diversity at the university.
To support this even more than before, four ‘Democracy’ priority professorships were launched at the HSRW in March 2026. With these priority professorships, the university has created a flexible model that enables existing professors to focus temporarily on tasks of importance to the university. The aim of the ‘Democracy’ priority professorships is to strengthen political education – and, in particular, education in democracy – as fundamental components of a sustainable academic education, and to embed them within the university in the long term.
“Tolerance, diversity and openness are democratic values put into practice at the HSRW, where students and staff from different countries and cultures shape everyday university life and enrich academic exchange. Anti-democratic ideologies seek to attack precisely these values. This makes it all the more important to stand firm against any such attacks,” emphasises Zimenkova.
Events promoting democracy at and in collaboration with the HSRW
In the summer semester of 2026, the HSRW will be organising (in some cases in collaboration with partners) initiatives and events on various political topics.
Background to the campaign
The campaign was launched by, amongst others, the Network Against Discrimination at Universities, the Diversity Network at Universities and the Federal Conference of Women’s and Equality Officers at Universities e. V. (bukof). The HSRW has been a member of these three organisations for many years.
