From Soil to Subsidy: How Agroforestry is Financing a Climate-Resilient Future💡 Agroforestry systems are reshaping how farms on the Lower Rhine think about climate resilience, soil health, and new finance models. At Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, this transformation became tangible when the Agroforestry Living Lab hosted its 10th Lower Rhine Agroforestry Practice Roundtable, turning a specialist discussion into a living story about soil, trees, and money. A farm where water stays longer On a breezy day at Rouenhof in Kevelaer, visitors followed Anne and Bernd Verhoeven through fields that stay green weeks after neighboring plots have turned pale. The organic

Prof. Dr. Matthias Kleinke Appointed Honorary Professor at NM-AIST, Strengthening Global Research Partnerships in Sustainability ✨ A significant achievement in 2025 was the appointment of Prof. Dr. Matthias Kleinke as an Honorary Professor at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), a long-standing cooperation partner in Tanzania.  This appointment recognizes his scientific expertise and commitment in the fields of materials, energy, water, and environmental sciences. In this role, Prof. Kleinke will contribute to strengthening a research-oriented work culture at NM-AIST, mentoring staff and early-career researchers, and expanding international networks. Furthermore, his role includes supporting the acquisition of new cooperative

HSRW at the DAAD Symposium in Cape Town: Strengthening Equal Partnerships for SDG Impact ✨ The DAAD Symposium “Global Responsibility – Local Impact: Higher Education Partnerships for the SDGs” brought together universities, researchers, and development partners from across the world for two days of inspiring exchange in Cape Town, South Africa. The event marked a significant moment in DAAD’s centenary year, celebrating 100 years of fostering academic exchange and global partnerships. Representing Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW), Professor Oliver Serfling presented the SDG-Partnership jointly implemented with Makerere University_Uganda (MAK) and the Central University of Technology_South Africa (CUT). His contribution highlighted

✨ASA Programme 2026 – “Food systems, agriculture, environment, and sustainability” The ASA Programme 2026 offers young people a unique chance to engage in international, practice-oriented projects on sustainable development and global justice. Students work together with partner institutions in Germany and the Global South, combining academic knowledge with hands-on project experience in areas such as climate, food systems, education, social innovation, and human rights.​ What the ASA Programme OffersParticipants take part in a structured learning cycle that usually includes several preparatory seminars, a three- to six‑month project phase, and a follow‑up phase for reflection and continued engagement. During the project phase,

✨ 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