The one-year pilot phase for critical self-analysis in terms of sustainability at Fachhochschule Dortmund ended with complete success. The high-calibre team of auditors, which was put together by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), recognized a respectable status quo and plenty of potential.
Two thoughts shaped the final workshop day of the HRK team with the Rectorate and the employees of Fachhochschule Dortmund involved in the project on October 27. On the one hand, they were delighted with the comprehensive findings of this project, which more than fulfilled the university's expectations.
From the university's point of view, there was an immense, motivating learning effect - both in terms of the diversity of the topic, including the possibility of all-round energy-efficient, resource-conserving and climate-friendly business operations, as well as in terms of the high level of sustainability already achieved. "Sustainability does not compete with the other obligations and objectives of a university," said Prof. Dr. Franz Vogler, Vice-Rector for Sustainability and Digitalization, "on the contrary, it benefits all other areas and opens up opportunities."
For its part, the HRK project team designed and piloted the audit and took away helpful insights for the further development of the project and thanked the Fachhochschule Dortmund project team for their "high level of ambition, openness and willingness to reflect".
Only university of applied sciences in audit pilot phase
More than 60 German universities of applied sciences (HAW) and universities had expressed their interest in participating in the HRK audit "Sustainability at universities". Fachhochschule Dortmund was the only university of applied sciences (HAW) to be selected together with three universities.
A project group consisting of representatives from all status groups was formed, which met for the first time on 30 October 2024 for the kick-off under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Franz Vogler, Vice-Rector for Sustainability and Digitalization, and CSR team leader Sebastian Kreimer.
Now it's time for implementation
The second defining thought of the final workshop was the unanimous intention to utilize, exploit and implement the opportunities and ideas that were brought to light in the best possible way. "The results report must not just be a good read," said UAS Rector Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel, putting this idea into words. "We now have to take a close look at what we can implement."
Chancellor Svenja Stepper and the Vice-Rectors Prof. Dr. Stephan Weyers, Prof. Dr. Jörg Thiem and Prof. Dr. Franz Vogler constructively took up many of the suggestions and areas of approach mentioned in the final audit report or "potential paper" (quote from Prof. Vogler). From 2026, these are to be brought to the university's committees and strategically perfected.
The audit
The "Sustainability at universities" audit is being developed by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) as part of the "Transformation pathways for sustainable universities" (traNHSform) project. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Transfer and Space (BMFTR) as part of the "Sustainability in Science" initiative until May 2026.
The auditors for Fachhochschule Dortmund were
- Prof. Dr. Ute von Lojewski, former President of Münster University of Applied Sciences
- Prof. Dr. Nicole Saenger, Vice President for Research, Transfer and Sustainable Development at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
- Dr. Thomas Flower, former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at HAW Hamburg
- Dr. Jennifer Krah, Head of the Sustainability Coordination Office at universities in Brandenburg