SUSTAINABLE AND DIGITAL CHANGE AT UNIVERSITIES

On 13th and 14th May 2025, the UAS Wiener Neustadt, Campus Wieselburg hosted the 3rd annual congress of the Alliance for Sustainable Universities. With Mag. (FH) Sara Neubauer, Asc. Prof. (FH) Dipl.-Ing. Christian Huber and Selina-Maria Schiller, MSc, the FH Kufstein Tirol was represented by three employees involved in the field of sustainability. The motto of this year's annual congress was Sustainability meets digitalisation: paths for our universities. Exciting lectures from research and teaching, inspiring keynotes and a visit to the communications company *gugler were part of the varied programme.

SUSTAINABILITY IN CORPORATE PRACTICE

In addition to exciting contributions from teaching and research, participants were able to attend two inspiring keynote speeches and presentations on sustainability and digitalisation topics in teaching and research. The evening programme and a visit to an eco-printing company in the Wieselburg area gave attendees an insight into sustainable and digital processes in practice. FH Kufstein Tirol contributed two presentations in the research track on the topics of digitalisation and sustainability.

Sara Neubauer, Head of Quality & Project Management at the Kufstein University of Applied Sciences, has been a board member of the Alliance of Sustainable Universities (BNH) for four years and praises the projects that have already been jointly implemented: "The annual congress is a highlight in the event calendar and offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas in person and gain a comprehensive overview of current developments." Particularly in the area of sustainability, close cooperation and networking between universities is crucial in order to achieve a long-term impact.

GREEN AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AT SMES

Selina-Maria Schiller, MSc, Junior Researcher in the Leadership and Business Management degree programme, presented the results and findings of the GREENE 4.0 project, in which the team developed an assessment tool for evaluating processes in companies. This assessment is intended to help SMEs in particular to identify potential and challenges. The aim is to facilitate the integration and implementation of digital and green initiatives. Selina-Maria Schiller emphasised: "I like the interaction between people who share the same interests and a common mission - that creates motivation and real change."

MOBILITY ANALYSIS FOR UNIVERSITIES IN RURAL AREAS

As part of the sustainability report, Asc. Prof. (FH) Dipl.-Ing. Christian Huber analysed the mobility of students at the FH Kufstein Tirol. Among other things, this involved the question of how students travel to the university and what this means for C02 emissions.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE OF SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITIES

The Alliance of Sustainable Universities was launched in October 2021 and consists of 15 members: FH Campus Wien, MCI Innsbruck, FH Wiener Neustadt, FH Joanneum, FH Vorarlberg, IMC Krems, FH Kärnten, FH Oberösterreich, FH Technikum Wien, FH Salzburg, FH Campus 02, University of Applied Sciences Burgenland, FH Kufstein Tirol, FH St. Pölten. They are all united by the collective goal of actively contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and raising awareness of the fact that universities of applied sciences fulfil their social responsibility as educational institutions.  At the centre of the alliance's work is the exchange of experience and expertise, as well as the development of synergies, networks and long-term partnerships. Following the successful events in Kufstein (2023), Eisenstadt (2024) and now Wieselburg, the next annual congress will be held in the beautiful province of Vorarlberg in 2026.

Links:

• GREENE 4.0
• Leadership & Business Management