With its “CampusMobil” project, the Hochschule Niederrhein has prevailed over numerous competitors in the “The World is Your Campus” programme. A total of 219 applications were submitted, 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’ learning environment (‘campus’) out into the wider world.
The four-year project began on 1 July 2026 and has a total budget of around 2.9 million euros.
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 initiatives.
“This funding gives us the opportunity to link teaching education, research and social engagement even more closely. Through 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 tangible experience and can make a visible contribution to social development,” says Professor Dr Alexander Rachmann from the Faculty of Industrial Engineering.
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 forms the foundation for a community of university lecturers dedicated to transdisciplinary teaching education.
