Offers for Citizens
Engaging with Society

Hochschule Niederrhein. Your way.

Third Mission

In addition to the traditional tasks of universities in studying and teaching as well as research and transfer, the concept of the Third Mission stands for the exchange of science with society. The Third Mission encompasses the various activities of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences in the areas of knowledge and technology transfer, continuing education programmes and social commitment. Our aim, particularly in the Niederrhein region, is to contribute knowledge to society and to learn from society.

Discover the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences as a place of dialogue and take part in the exchange between science and society. Gain an insight into our knowledge, ideas and discoveries, just as we benefit from your wishes as well as your knowledge and expertise. Join us as a guest student, as a participant in lectures, as a student in workshops, follow our activities or get involved as part of the research with your questions and your expertise. Together we can shape the dialogue.

We cordially invite you to join in and get in touch with us.

You will find our programmes below:

Here is a YouTube video. Click on it to watch. The data protection regulations of google apply!
Here is a YouTube video. Click on it to watch. The data protection regulations of google apply!
The Future Work Lab in the heart of Krefeld city centre
The Future Work Lab


The Future Work Lab offers modern co-working and event spaces for our students, teaching staff and employees. Teaching, learning, innovating and networking in the service of sustainable development and in the interplay between science, society and business are trialled in the university's real-world laboratory. We want to seek out and shape the interfaces with all stakeholders in dialogues, workshops and other event formats.

As a university and scientific institution, we want to deliberately place ourselves at the centre of society, also in terms of location. With the branch office, the university is returning to its origins in the city centre. Until 2006, the Werkkunstschule of the former Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences was located on Petersstraße. We want to make ourselves transparent and tangible for everyone with our study programmes, our educational mission and our values.

We hope to arouse curiosity and interest and to become part of our community. We hope that the Future Work Lab will significantly revitalise Krefeld's city centre in and around the Behnisch-Haus, which we would also like to promote through close cooperation with the business development agency and joint campaigns with the surrounding catering establishments.

Contact persons

Ingrida Dolfen, M.A.
Regional Development and Strategy Officer Head of Future Work Lab Department President

Office hours:

Bettina Hansmeier, Dipl.-Des.
Department of University Culture and Diversity Team Third Mission

Office hours

Dr. rer. nat. Joachim Schick, Dipl.-Biol.
Third Mission Team University Communications

Events in the Future Work Lab

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Target groups Topics FWL
Target Groups and Subject Areas


The Future Work Lab (FWL) forms the interface between the university and urban society. Located in the heart of Krefeld's city centre, it serves as an open meeting place for all citizens. At the same time, the FWL supports and initiates dialogue between associations, public institutions, regional companies, the university and civil society in order to work together on urban development geared towards the common good.

Ongoing Events

We are a City! - Topic "Astronomy"

Astronomy Day

We are the city! - A project of the Future Work Lab of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences with associations from the region

The new series of events organised by the FWL: We are the city! builds on the idea of picking up on existing knowledge in urban society, rethinking it and communicating it. Each year, the FWL team will work with an association from the region to highlight the theme of a particular association and present it in an annual programme. Within this series of events, event formats are developed together with associations from the urban community that offer insights into the work of the associations and embed them in a scientific context.

In 2025, the FWL is working together with the Vereinigung der Krefelder Sternfreunde e.V. (Association of Krefeld Star Friends). The aim is to present the work of the association and the topic of astronomy and to bring it from the sky to the FWL.

Astronomy Day on 29 March 2025

The new series of events kicked off on Saturday 29 March 2025 from 4pm to 7pm as Astronomy Day 2025 at the FWL. On this day, astronomical instruments of the association were presented, study programmes of the university related to astronomy were introduced and in a keynote lecture: Astronomy is - just look up, talked about the mysteries and wonders of the celestial stars. 


Two further events are planned in the course of 2025. 

1. Astronomy and the environment: large-format photography exhibition of celestial bodies - starry skies over Krefeld. Keynote speech followed by a discussion on the topic of light pollution.

2. where does astronomy touch our existence? Exhibition of light projections of object representations. Impulse lecture on the topics: Sundial as an orientation system.

Please visit us again soon to find out the dates. Thank you very much!

Producing Electronic Music

Electronic music

Producing electronic music
Interactive workshop on 3 April 2025
with Dieter Herten

Electronic music has long since developed from a niche to an integral part of our everyday culture and is shaping the music world in a unique way. This interactive workshop is aimed at all those interested who have no previous experience in music production, as well as those who have already taken their first steps in this field. Together, the participants got to know the Ableton Live 12 programme and played through the structure of a track using examples. In this interactive process, a track was developed through to fine-tuning and finalisation. Number of participants: 20 people.


Further events are planned. Please visit us again soon to find out the dates, thank you!

The multigenerational magazine

"Zwischentöne" is a genuine multi-generational magazine that has been in existence since 2002. Students, guest students, lecturers, other members of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences and guest writers work together to create a magazine on various topics. Both academic and everyday topics as well as poetry find their place here.

Become part of this project - new authors are always welcome!

The HdWW

What is the easiest way for science, business and urban society - and therefore the citizens of Krefeld - to exchange ideas about innovation, education and Krefeld as a business location? We, the HdWW - House of Knowledge and Economy, invite companies and urban society to an informative exchange and constructive networking: open, approachable and at eye level. Together we discuss challenging future issues and local solutions. The aim of the association is to create a new transparency for Krefeld as a business location and for economic activity.

Are you interested in Krefeld, are you a local company or institution and would you like to discuss future issues with interested dialogue partners? Then we look forward to hearing from you.

Innovation and Future Office Viersen

How can the permeability of teaching, research and transfer to society be increased? Since March 2022, the Innovation and Future Office (IZB) of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences has been offering citizens in the district of Viersen the opportunity to make intensive contact with the university. It actively promotes the university's offerings in the region and at the same time takes up the needs and interests of citizens in order to reflect them back to the university.

The IZB was created by the renewal of the cooperation agreement between the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences and the district of Viersen in summer 2021 and is located in the Haus der Wirtschaft, Willy-Brandt-Ring 13, 41747 Viersen, Room OG 203 at the business development agency of the district of Viersen. If you have any questions or are interested, please contact Dr Joachim Schick from the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences.

Contact us

Dr. rer. nat. Joachim Schick, Dipl.-Biol.
Third Mission Team University Communications

MuseumsUni Krefeld

Exciting lectures for pupils in grades 5 to 13 are offered at the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum in Krefeld by professors from the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences. All lectures at the MuseumsUni Krefeld present current research topics and are related to the exhibitions of the project partner Kunstmuseen Krefeld. The exhibitions are then explained in a guided tour of the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum. The dates take place in the winter months and last from 12.00 to 13.30 (see MuseumsUni KR flyer).

The programme is aimed at class groups accompanied by up to two teachers or chaperones. Two to three classes (max. 55 people) can take part on each date. Admission is free.

Registration at servicekunstmuseen(at)krefeld.de

The MuseumsUni Krefeld is an event organised as part of the Third Mission. Organisational queries to bettina.hansmeier(at)hs-niederrhein.de, content-related queries to eva.eick(at)krefeld.de

Contact us

Bettina Hansmeier, Dipl.-Des.
Department of University Culture and Diversity Team Third Mission

Office hours

MuseumsUni Mönchengladbach

The concept developed by Museum Schloss Rheydt and Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliches Gymnasium Mönchengladbach has been in existence since 2011. The MuseumsUni introduces pupils to the interesting degree programmes offered by Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences. At the same time, it introduces them to the museum, which is not only a cultural but also an educational institution. The target group is pupils from secondary schools in Mönchengladbach (grades 5 to 13). The lectures for the "young scientists" take place in the Knights' Hall at Rheydt Castle. The dates are always Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12pm to 1pm during the programme period.

The programme is aimed at class groups accompanied by up to two teachers or chaperones. Two to three classes can take part in each session.

Participation is free of charge thanks to funding from Stadtsparkasse Mönchengladbach.

Registration is required. Enquiries and registration by telephone on 0 21 66 - 9 28 90 -11.

Contact us

Bettina Hansmeier, Dipl.-Des.
Department of University Culture and Diversity Team Third Mission

Office hours

Summer Academy and Winter Academy

The summer and winter academies focuson personal key competences. In our rapidly changing times, it is becoming increasingly important to further develop our own skills and acquire new knowledge. The so-called soft skills or future skills are not only important for professional development, but also support our personal development and social participation. The events offer interested citizens numerous face-to-face and online seminars in an active learning atmosphere in small groups with committed speakers, e.g. in the areas of public speaking and communication, work-life balance, job application training or time management.

    Open House

    Come along, discover our range of courses, experience our departments and get advice!

    When:
    Friday, 13 June 2025 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Saturday, 14 June2025 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Campus Krefeld Süd: Reinarzstr. 49, 47805 Krefeld2025 from 9 am to 1 pm

    Where:
    Campus Krefeld Süd: Reinarzstr 49, 47805 Krefeld
    Campus Krefeld West: Frankenring 20, 47798 Krefeld
    Campus Mönchengladbach: Webschulstraße 41-43, 41065 Mönchengladbach
    Cyber Management Campus Mönchengladbach: Monforts Quartier, Schwalmstr. 301, 41238 Mönchengladbach


    Highlights:

    • Workshops
    • Lectures
    • Campus and laboratory tours
    • Presentation of student work
    • Personal counselling

     

    Centre for further education

    At the Centre for Continuing Education, we support you in updating your knowledge in order to qualify you for new professional tasks and requirements. With its academic continuing education programme, the university is also open to you as a professional with or without a university degree. Our aim is to accompany our participants on their personal educational path. Our promise: Academic continuing education with a high degree of practical relevance.

    The current range of certificate studies and courses includes IT and digitalisation as well as management and law. We also offer in-house formats for companies that require customised training.

    Additional Offers

    At our four university locations (Campus Krefeld South, Campus Krefeld West and the Campus and Monforts Quartier in Mönchengladbach), our libraries, language centres and canteens offer you further opportunities. In our calendar you will also find numerous offers that might interest you. We look forward to your visit to our campus shop.

    Consulting
    Accessibility