Krefeld. The Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) has come out on top against numerous competitors with its ‘CampusMobil’ project as part of the ‘The World is Your Campus’ programme. A total of 219 applications were submitted to the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education, of which 29 were successful. The project aims to empower students to act in a socially responsible manner as part of their academic work. Through this project, the HSNR is shifting (‘mobil’) the students’ place of learning (‘campus’) out into the wider world.
The four-year project began on 1 July 2026 and has received funding of around 2.9 million euros. External sponsors include Stadtmarketing Krefeld, the adult education centres in Krefeld and Mönchengladbach, the Mönchengladbach Marketing Association and Freischwimmer e.V.
In terms of content, the project is divided into three sub-objectives. Firstly, students are to develop problem-solving strategies for societal challenges through transdisciplinary and curricular projects. Secondly, the focus is on population groups that have had little contact with universities to date, with the aim of offering them low-threshold access and opportunities for participation. Thirdly, the project serves as a framework for lecturers to guide their own transdisciplinary projects.
A mix of methods is used for practical implementation, including a pop-up stand, a virtual reality environment and, above all, the so-called ‘Science Truck’. This mobile meeting place is designed as a shared workspace for students and members of the public. Topics are identified over the long term through direct dialogue. Students identify problem areas, formulate research questions, develop potential solutions and ultimately feed the results back into society.
“This funding gives us the opportunity to link teaching education, research and social engagement even more closely. With the CampusMobil project, we are creating new learning spaces outside the university and, together with members of the public, developing solutions to specific local challenges. In this way, science becomes a direct experience and can make a visible contribution to social development,” says Professor Dr Alexander Rachmann from the Faculty of Industrial Engineering.
Two pilot topics have been selected to kick off the project; these affect local residents and align with the HSNR’s teaching and research areas. The first pilot topic addresses the challenges of digitalisation in schools, whilst the second focuses on inner-city mobility.
Initially, the two faculties of Engineering Sciences and Computer Science, as well as Industrial Engineering, are involved. In the long term, however, the plan is to integrate all faculties and Degree programmes at HSNR into the project. Other universities are also to be involved in the project through workshops. This will create a two-way channel that will form the foundation course for a community of university lecturers dedicated to transdisciplinary teaching education.
Further information is available at: https://www.hs-niederrhein.de/faculty-of-industrial-engineering/we-as-a-faculty/iot-labor-1/campus-mobil/
