GewissensBISS: When food waste touches the heart

The University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol is once again acting as a committed host on the topic of sustainability – and once again underlining its role as a place for exchange on key topics for the future: The interactive traveling exhibition GewissensBISS: harvested, purchased, discarded was opened in the auditorium. Rector Prof. (FH) PD Dr. Mario Döller, MPreis specialist for circular economy Pascale Rohrer, and feld:schafft eGen welcomed the first guests and emphasized the importance of food appreciation and waste prevention in their welcoming speeches.

The exhibition impressively shows how food is lost along the entire value chain – from agriculture to consumption – and at the same time provides practical options for action. Interactive stations, vivid facts, and supplementary audio contributions make the complex interrelationships understandable and tangible for visitors of all ages.

Rector Döller emphasizes the importance of education and awareness of the scarcity of our resources: “I promise ... to protect the natural foundations of life ... – with this academic oath, we send off every graduate of our institution. This exhibition once again highlights how important this topic is for our society and that there can never be enough information and education about it,” says Döller. Ina Heitmann from feld:schafft adds: “Food waste is not just garbage – it represents unnecessary consumption of resources and is a global injustice.”

Background information on the exhibition

GewissensBISS is a project by Tafel Österreich, BOKU Vienna, and the Natural History Museum Vienna, implemented in cooperation with feld:schafft eGen. The aim is to raise awareness of sustainable food consumption and encourage people to take action.

The exhibition will be on display in the foyer of the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol from October 6 to 14 and October 20 to November 2, 2025. Admission is free, and visitors can explore the exhibition independently with an audio guide or take part in guided tours. Group registrations and guided tours can be booked via calendly.com. Further information can be found at tafel-oesterreich.at/gewissensbiss.

Sustainability as a university mission

FH Kufstein Tirol understands sustainability as a cross-cutting issue in teaching, research, and university management. Global challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity require holistic solutions – and this is exactly where the university comes in. As a member of the Alliance for Sustainable Universities, the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol has been consistently promoting activities in the areas of teaching, research, operations, and cooperation for years. At the beginning of 2024, the university was also awarded the GET Location certification – proof of its pioneering role in the field of environmentally friendly event organization.

Study programs for sustainable transformation

This commitment is particularly evident in the sustainability study programs at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol. With its new English-language bachelor's program in Energy & Sustainability Management, the university is focusing on international perspectives. Here, students acquire in-depth knowledge of energy supply, sustainability strategies, and digital solutions – and learn how to put them into practice globally and responsibly. Stays abroad, project weeks, and close contacts with companies ensure a practical education that prepares students for management tasks in business, NGOs, or administration.

In the part-time master's program in Energy & Sustainability Management, students deepen their knowledge of strategic sustainability management, renewable energies, and innovative mobility concepts – ideal for professionals who want to put their vision of a sustainable future into practice.

The English-language full-time Master's program in Energy & Sustainability Management also focuses on international and European perspectives. Topics such as sustainability assessment, strategic management, and AI-supported data analysis are on the agenda, as are practical research projects and close networks with companies.

Networking beyond Tyrol

Just recently, the eight Tyrolean universities published a joint position paper on sustainable Tyrolean universities as part of European Sustainability Week. In it, they commit to strengthening cooperation and anchoring sustainability in teaching, research, and society. FH Kufstein Tirol plays an active role in this alliance – for example, through joint projects such as Innalp Edu Hub or the next Long Night of Research 2026, which will be dedicated to sustainability.

Links:

• Energy & Sustainability Management | ft