How can cultural participation be made possible for everyone? How can young people be inspired to get involved in nature conservation? And what creative approaches help to support the homeless? These and other socially relevant questions were at the centre of this year's service learning projects of the HONOUR scholarship of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences. The scholarship holders have now presented their results at the Mönchengladbach campus.
The HONOUR scholarship supports students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements, special social commitment or exceptional motivation. During the semester break, the participants worked in interdisciplinary teams for a fortnight with partners from the cultural, environmental and social sectors to develop innovative solutions for current challenges.
At the start of the event, the Vice President for Studies and Teaching, Prof Dr Gudrun Stockmanns, welcomed the students and practice partners and thanked everyone involved for their extraordinary commitment. The representatives of the partner institutions - Kunstmuseen Krefeld, freischwimmer e.V., NABU and Volksverein Mönchengladbach - were impressed by the students' creative and practical solutions.
Strengthening cultural participation: The group, in cooperation with the Kunstmuseen Krefeld art museums, developed concepts to make culture accessible to everyone. The focus was particularly on offers for senior citizens and the "Gen Z". Interactive event formats and the establishment of an advisory board for greater participation were proposed.
Rethinking nature conservation: Together with NABU Krefeld/Viersen, students developed ideas to get young people interested in environmental protection and nature conservation. Escape room concepts, podcasts and targeted social media campaigns are designed to bring nature to life and increase the visibility of NABU among students and trainees.
Taking on social responsibility: Volksverein Mönchengladbach received support in developing new approaches to supporting homeless people. The students developed strategies for better counselling services, targeted marketing and the implementation of urban gardening projects.
Green urban design with freischwimmer e.V.: Another project group focussed on the visibility of the planned herb wall at Krefeld's municipal swimming pool. The students designed a social media channel with interactive activities and developed an innovative signposting system with QR codes and humorous signs.
The participating students came from eight different departments, which underlines the interdisciplinary nature of the programme. The practical work gave them valuable insights into social challenges and allowed them to apply their academic skills directly. A total of 16 committed students took part in this year's projects.
The event concluded with a get-together at which students, practice partners and university representatives shared their experiences. The projects show how academic knowledge, creativity and social commitment can work together.
