✨ Fifteen Years of Sustainable Agriculture Journey – A Historic Night to Remember! 🌱 On a crisp October evening, the Faculty of Life Sciences together with the Sustainable Food Systems Research Center opened their doors for a celebration that felt like coming home. The occasion? Fifteen beautiful years of the Sustainable Agriculture Study Program — fifteen years of growth, learning, laughter, and change. From near and far they came: students, alumni, researchers, and staff — faces from Germany, Norway, Poland, the US, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India and beyond — all gathering in one vibrant, joy-filled space. As stories unfolded and laughter

🌳HSRW Research Featured in Documentary 💫 “Lost – Dirty Deals with Climate Protection” ✨The recent documentary “Lost – Dirty Deals with Climate Protection” by investigative journalist and filmmaker Daniel Harrich examines alleged international greenwashing practices associated with climate certificates and reforestation projects in Brazil. The film critically explores how large-scale eucalyptus plantations, promoted as carbon offset initiatives, can lead to severe ecological degradation, displacement of local communities, and human rights violations — all while being labeled as “sustainable” under global climate protection schemes. During field research in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil, focusing on ecosystem services across different land-use systems, researchers Dr. Katie

✨SHAPE-SymposiumDie Zukunft der Bodengesundheit mitgestalten! Die Landwirtschaft in Europa steht vor großen Herausforderungen: Klimawandel, steigende Produktionskosten und die Notwendigkeit nachhaltiger Bewirtschaftung. Gesunde Böden sind der Schlüssel, um diesen Herausforderungen zu begegnen – sie speichern CO2, sichern Erträge und schützen natürliche Ressourcen. Dafür spielen Bodenorganismen, insbesondere Mikroorganismen, eine wesentliche Rolle. Im Rahmen des Interreg-Projekts SHAPE entwickeln wir mit einem starken Konsortium aus Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und Anwendungspartnern innovative Mess- und Analysesysteme für ein intelligentes Bodenmonitoring. Mithilfe von KI, Machine Learning und Simulationen liefern wir praxisnahe Lösungen für Landwirte, um ihre Böden gesund und produktiv zu halten. Vor diesem Hintergrund zielt das Symposium darauf

“Educational Fruit Tree Path” – Growing a Greener Campus Together! 🌳 On October 29th, 2025, students, faculty, and staff of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences joined forces with University President Prof. Dr. Oliver Locker-Grütjen and project partners to launch a unique sustainability project: the Educational Fruit Tree Path with future fruit trees – part of the “Greening the Campus” project. This event – organized by the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Sustainable Food Systems Research Centre – was more than planting trees – it marked the beginning of a broader effort to create a greener and more vibrant campus which

Two Academic Highlights at the Central University of Technology: The 2025 Prestige Research Seminar and the Quantitative Analysis Using R Course The Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein (CUT) recently hosted two academic events. The Faculty of Management Sciences Prestige Research Seminar and an independent Quantitative Analysis using R course by Prof. Dr. Oliver Serfling of the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) took place consecutively, each contributing uniquely to the growing international partnerships among CUT, HSRW, and Makerere University (MAK) in Uganda. The 2025 Faculty of Management Sciences Prestige Research Seminar Held under the theme “Navigating an Uncertain Future: Perspectives from

Campus in Bloom: A Day of Green Growth and Great Music at Hochschule Rhein-Waal Our institute greets the autumn with two exciting events taking place on the same day of October 29th, 2025. Campus Kleve invites students, staffs, and guests to celebrate sustainability, creativity, and community entertainment. From 1 PM to 5 PM, join the Greening the Campus event behind the Faculty of Life Sciences buildings and discover the Educational Fruit Tree Path — a new green corridor connecting biodiversity, climate resilience, and interactive learning. Stroll through fruit trees paired with companion plants, explore informative QR codes, and enjoy a living outdoor

First Malengo Scholar Graduate in Germany — A Milestone for International Education The Malengo Foundation proudly celebrates a historic achievement: Ponsiano Ziriko, the very first student of the Uganda–Germany University Program, has graduated from a German university since its establishment. Ponsiano completed his Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences in summer 2025 and is now enrolled in the Master’s program in Biological Resources at our institution. This milestone marks a powerful testament to the transformative potential of international education and the impact of the Malengo model. Ponsiano’s academic journey has been one of excellence and leadership. His

What an inspiring and energizing week it has been at Tropentag 2025! Our team was proud to be part of this vibrant gathering of minds focused on shaping the future of sustainable agriculture and food systems. It all began on Wednesday morning, with our team kicking off Workshop 12: “Roots to Regions: Tracking Agroforestry for Scaling Up”, led by Philip Schierning, MD Sofiullah, Dr Jannike van Bruggen, Dr Kathrin Meinhold, and Lilian Beck, the session sparked engaging dialogue on the potential of agroforestry to transform landscapes and livelihoods. Later that evening, MD Sofiullah took the stage with an oral presentation on whether

How local knowledge and adaptive practices are redefining conservation and livelihoods in one of the world’s most vital ecosystems 🌿 Amid the vibrant discussions and academic exchange at Tropentag 2025, one poster drew visitors in—not with bold colors or flashy design, but with a quiet power. Titled “Agroforestry Systems in the Peruvian Amazon: Farmers’ Perceptions and Management Adjustments”, it told a story that deeply resonated with attendees. The author, one of our Master students—Leidy Johana Bedoya Giraldo, didn’t just present research—she brought forward the voices of those who live the forest every day. Her work earned the Best Poster Presentation Award, shining