Vice President Transfer, Innovation and Sustainability (VP4)
H-BRS Sustainability
News and review
19 November 2024
H-BRS hands over NAW.NRW lecture series “Sustainable together” to TH OWL
7 November 2024
In 2023, only just under a fifth of heat in Germany came from renewable sources. Electric river heat pumps could help to increase this proportion. River heat pumps are particularly effective in regions with stable water levels and temperatures. This is where Antonius Ashadhiarto Wiryanto's scientific work comes in. In his bachelor's thesis, the economics student calculated whether river heat pumps also work efficiently at low water levels.
4 November 2024
H-BRS and waste disposal company want to cooperate in the ‘Green Mine’ project
Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) and the waste management company Hündgen Entsorgung have signed a letter of intent to work together on the ‘Green Mine’ project. Following the signing, Christian Hündgen, Managing Director of the waste disposal company, Professor Michaela Wirtz, Vice President of Transfer, Innovation and Sustainability, and Simon Roth, Head of the Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (ZWT) at H-BRS, met in Swisttal, where the company is based.
Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) and the waste management company Hündgen Entsorgung have signed a letter of intent to work together on the ‘Green Mine’ project. Following the signing, Christian Hündgen, Managing Director of the waste disposal company, Professor Michaela Wirtz, Vice President of Transfer, Innovation and Sustainability, and Simon Roth, Head of the Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (ZWT) at H-BRS, met in Swisttal, where the company is based.
21 October 2024
In this interview, the President and Scientific Director of the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, Professor Manfred Fischedick, discusses how science can support the socio-ecological transformation. He provides answers to questions such as: What is the potential of sustainability research and how does this knowledge reach society?
29 September 2024
Vice Presidents for Sustainability and Sustainability Officers from universities in North Rhine-Westphalia met at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts on 27 September 2024 to network, exchange ideas and learn from each other. The ‘Green Consulting’ programme of the university's Design department was presented as an example of best practice.
23 September 2024
Sustainability Transfer Day at H-BRS ‘Sustainability as an ethical obligation for the benefit of all’.
At the Sustainability Transfer Day at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS), local authorities and academia exchanged views on the topic of sustainability. How can municipalities better implement the sustainable transformation and how can science support this process? These were the central questions of the second Sustainability Transfer Day, which was organised by Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences and the Sustainability Alliance for Applied Sciences in NRW (NAW.NRW).
At the Sustainability Transfer Day at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS), local authorities and academia exchanged views on the topic of sustainability. How can municipalities better implement the sustainable transformation and how can science support this process? These were the central questions of the second Sustainability Transfer Day, which was organised by Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences and the Sustainability Alliance for Applied Sciences in NRW (NAW.NRW).
9 September 2024
Tour de CSR 2024 - Lecture on the saddle. In August 2024, there was another Tour de CSR 2024, where students visit companies by bike and talk about how they practise corporate responsibility.
6 September 2024
Travelling on foot as a group and debating questions about the future: In a nutshell, that's the idea behind a new course. Professor Christine Buchholz takes students on a three-day hike through the region, visiting companies and discussing sustainability issues. The university lecturer associates the excursion with more than just discussing the content. On Tuesday, 17 September, the group will begin their tour in Rheinbach to discover a new way of working together.
6 September 2024
New impetus for sustainability: Professor Helmsmüller joins the IZNE Board of Directors.
Professor Dr Simona Helmsmüller has been teaching at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) since 2019. She joined the International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE) as a new and fifth member of the Board of Directors in the winter semester 2024/25. The IZNE spoke to her about her new role, her experiences and goals, and what sustainable development means to her.
Professor Dr Simona Helmsmüller has been teaching at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) since 2019. She joined the International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE) as a new and fifth member of the Board of Directors in the winter semester 2024/25. The IZNE spoke to her about her new role, her experiences and goals, and what sustainable development means to her.
27 August 2024
reTURN project: Pilot plant for renewable fuels to go into operation in 2025. Cooperation partner CAPHENIA from the ‘reTURN - Recycling organic residues and CO2 into fuels’ research project has received the final construction components for the newly designed reactor, which is set to produce renewable fuels in the future.
26 August 2024
Public green spaces can have a positive impact on the quality of life of city dwellers and at the same time contribute to climate protection. A research team led by H-BRS is investigating how cities can fully utilise this potential.
29 July 2024
The H-BRS is a member of the DG HochN sustainability network. The German Society for Sustainability at Universities (DG HochN) aims to promote sustainable development at universities and support the exchange of knowledge across universities. The services provided by DG HochN include advice on funding opportunities, the provision of sustainability-related teaching materials and support for research projects. The services are aimed at university management, teaching staff, administration and students.
24 July 2024
The International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE) at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) is offering a Voluntary Social Year (FSJ-P) in current research on sustainable development. The FSJ-P is scheduled to start on 1 September 2024. Applications are now open.
8 July 2024
On Friday, 5 July 2024, four vice presidents and one vice rector for sustainability met with their sustainability and climate protection managers from NRW universities at the Rheinbach campus. Professor Michaela Wirtz, Vice President for Transfer, Innovation and Sustainability at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, had invited them to share their experiences.
1 July 2024
Presentation of the sustainability initiatives of the Sustainability Alliance for Applied Sciences (NAW.NRW) at the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. On 26 June, the 21 universities of the NAW.NRW had the opportunity to present the initiatives at the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. At this event, entitled "Sustainability as Responsibility", the guests were welcomed by State Secretary Gonca Türkeli-Dehnert and Prof Hartmut Ihne, spokesperson for NAW.NRW.
13 June 2024
In the interdisciplinary supplementary subject "Green Campus - Together for a sustainable, climate-resilient and liveable university", students developed sustainable design ideas for the H-BRS campus in Sankt Augustin. They mapped waste and noise pollution as well as climatic impacts, conducted interviews and surveys and learnt how engagement and data generation contribute to sustainability and community development.
29 May 2024
Call for applications: Female Digital Camp 2024
Topic: Digital product development with a focus on sustainability through prototyping and UI/UX design
From 5 to 23 August, the camp will focus on creativity, prototyping and UI/UX design. Over the course of three weeks, participants will gain an insight into digital product development at E.ON. Small groups will develop practical digital solutions that will be presented to a panel of experts in a final pitch.
Topic: Digital product development with a focus on sustainability through prototyping and UI/UX design
From 5 to 23 August, the camp will focus on creativity, prototyping and UI/UX design. Over the course of three weeks, participants will gain an insight into digital product development at E.ON. Small groups will develop practical digital solutions that will be presented to a panel of experts in a final pitch.
22. Mai 2024
IZNE joins the Society for Transdisciplinary and Participatory Research (GTPF). The main aim of the programme is close cooperation between scientists and practitioners. The plan is to develop application-orientated solutions that meet the needs of society.
17 May 2024
Exchange with Professor Ronny Freier from the TH Wildau on new approaches to the sustainability management of municipal budgets and on student projects with municipalities.
16 May 2024
Since the summer semester 2024, the International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE) has been offering the course ‘Green Campus: Together for a sustainable, climate-resilient and liveable university’. Prof Wiltrud Terlau and her team have now received funding for a ‘good teaching idea’, which will be implemented in the form of a podcast next semester.
15 May 2024
Germany is looking for skilled labour. And skilled workers from abroad are looking for suitable jobs. So it could be quite simple. A research team at H-BRS has investigated why this is not the case.
14 May 2024
Opening of the Sustainability Week in Sankt Augustin with Sven Plöger. Various events will be offered from 13 May to 17 May.
14 May 2024
The Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) and the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on implementing an E-Learning Certificate in Research and Innovation on Sustainable Land Management in Africa within the framework of the INTERFACES project.
30 April 2024
Professorin Stefanie Meilinger vom Internationalen Zentrum für Nachhaltige Entwicklung (IZNE) spricht darüber, warum das „Recht auf Reparatur“, das die EU gerade auf den Weg gebracht hat, sinnvoll ist, welchen Beitrag die Hochschule leisten kann, und sie erklärt, welcher Faktor die größte Auswirkung auf die Ökobilanz von elektrischen Haushaltsgeräten hat.
29. September 2024
Vizepräsidentinnen und Vizepräsidenten für Nachhaltigkeit sowie Nachhaltigkeitsbeauftragte der nordrhein-westfälischen Hochschulen trafen sich am 27. September 2024 zum Netzwerken, Austauschen und voneinander Lernen an der Fachhochschule Dortmund. Als Best-Practice-Beispiel wurde das „Green Consulting“ des Fachbereichs Design der Hochschule vorgestellt.
18 March 2024
Dr Simone Bernatzky will start her professorship in July 2024 in the teaching and research area: "Sustainability and Controlling". She would like to establish sustainability as a key topic in the Department of Economics.
14 March 2024
Report by WDR-Lokalzeit on the project "MIAAS - Mobility Intelligence as a Service" with Paul Bossauer.
13 March 2024
Due to bark beetle infestation, many trees have had to be felled in recent years. Reforesting destroyed forest areas is very expensive and time-consuming. Drones can make reforestation easier. The scientists are now carrying out practical tests so that a prototype of such a drone can be completed by the end of 2026.
28 February 2024
Articles ordered via interlibrary loan are now delivered digitally. Since March 1, 2024, the library has made ordered articles available for download as PDFs.
20 February 2024
More trees, more green spaces, more seating, better quality of stay: the remodelling of the campus grounds has begun. It mainly affects areas that are currently paved or otherwise sealed.
4 January 2024
In the "NAkSU" research project (new analysis methods for complex safety and environmental data), initial data is being collected using mobile and stationary sensors. The climate data is used to determine changes and influencing factors in the area of microclimate, for example through large-scale construction measures, and to make climate developments predictable.
3 January 2024
Environmental and biodiversity research with citizen participation at H-BRS: Zukunftsfonds NRW is supporting the project "Participatory insect research through creative citizen participation in museums (PInBiM)". With the help of visualization and 3D scanning methods, citizens are to be involved in the collection and research of insect populations. The project partners are the Museum Koenig Bonn and the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB).
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
15 December 2023
Doctorate on "Material and system development for the integration of metal hydride-based hydrogen storage in gas-to-power systems".
15 December 2023
Markus Loewe is an expert on social protection in low- and middle-income countries. He conducts research on social security systems in developing and emerging countries at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) in Bonn.
14 December 2023
Collaboration between committed gardeners from the Rhein-Sieg district and scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and the International Center for Sustainable Development
13 December 2023
NRW university network: Second parliamentary breakfast in the NRW state parliament with representatives of the Sustainability Alliance for Applied Sciences (NAW.NRW) and members of the state parliament.
6 December 2023
SWR2 interview about Paul Crutzen with Prof. Meilinger: "From the hole in the ozone layer to the Anthropocene"
5 December 2023
From the hole in the ozone layer to the Anthropocene - Prof. Stefanie Meilinger in an SWR2 interview about Paul Crutzen
3 December 2023
Professors Katja Bender and Stephanie Meilinger presented the EnerSHelF project, which was completed in spring 2023, at COP28 in Dubai. The example of Ghana was used to show the role that photovoltaics can play in supplying energy to healthcare facilities.
16 November 2023
5th lecture series of the NAW.NRW in WS 2023/24
"Space travel as the basis for the sustainable management of our planet"
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Bernd Dachwald from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at FH Aachen
"Space travel as the basis for the sustainable management of our planet"
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Bernd Dachwald from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at FH Aachen
9 November 2023
Network meeting of NAW.NRW