The Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU) hosted its first Networking & Career Day on October 10, 2023, which was all about sustainability. With presentations, networking opportunities and a sustainable organic regional buffet, the innovative career event provided a platform for exchange between students/career starters and selected companies under the focus of sustainability. The event, organized by the university's International Office, took place as part of the EU-funded sustainability project "Sustainable Horizons." This project brings together six European universities that are implementing projects to increase sustainability in the areas of education, society and research.
Exciting presentations:
The networking & Career Day started with keynote speeches: Prof. Dr. Johannes Kals, Professor of Business Administration, in particular Sustainability and Energy Management at the University's Department of Management, Controlling, HealthCare, opened the international series of lectures with his contribution on the topic of "Green Energy Transition". In his presentation, he focused on the role of Germany. His conclusion was that even though Germany is responsible for only 2 percent of the world's climate-damaging emissions, it does play a role: Germany is regarded by other countries as a "laboratory of the world" and has a corresponding role model function, Kals was convinced of this. With a view to career prospects, he advised the students that it is important to acquire technical engineering knowledge in addition to operational know-how in the area of sustainability in order to be successful in this field in the long term.
The second lecture was given by Elio Vicente, alumnus of the partner university Universidade do Algarve in Faro, Portugal, and senior biologist at the Portuguese amusement park Zoomarine Algarve and the associated Porto D'Abrigo, a rehabilitation center for sick or injured marine animals. Vicente gave a very vivid account of the very successful efforts to date to combine a tourist attraction with sustainability: In addition to the rehabilitation center for marine animals, Zoomarine also stands for reforestation projects, beach cleaning campaigns or used water treatment. The use of solar energy, the abandonment of pesticides and a high proportion of electric mobility are a matter of course, said Vicente.
In the final presentation of the day, Anne-Marie Tuomala, Senior Lecturer and Project Manager of the Sustainable Horizons consortium at the Finnish LAB University of Applied Sciences in Lahti, offered exciting insights into the world of sustainable leadership. Her lecture "Sustainable Leadership: Skills for a Sustainable Future" placed special focus on essential competencies such as environmental awareness, ethical action and entrepreneurial thinking. She illustrated these principles with concrete real-world examples and showed how companies and organizations can successfully implement sustainable leadership. Anne-Marie Tuomala concluded her presentation with a motivational message to the audience, urging them to actively engage in the world of sustainable leadership and develop the necessary skills for a sustainable future.
Multiple Networking Opportunities:
The second part of the Networking & Career Day then focused on the dialogue between students and the participating companies: In a relaxed atmosphere and with a sustainable organic regional buffet, prepared by the students of the Ludwigshafen Georgens School, the guests now had the opportunity to enter into conversation with eight selected companies: BASF, Bauhaus, Etengo, ARAG, tecis, Bechtle, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen or WSB were available as contact persons for the students. In addition to the exchange about sustainability and the placement of jobs, internships, working student positions, theses and trainee programs, topics such as further education and training, diversity management, sustainable business models, resource-saving process transformation, CO₂ savings or the protection and preservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity were also discussed. The Graduate School Rhine-Neckar and the university's start-up office were also on hand to answer students' questions. "The feedback from the participating companies as well as the students on this new format has been very good so far. Especially the compact program and the exciting exchange were praised," organizer Nils Sitar, Project Manager Sustainable Horizons, summed up with satisfaction at the end of the day.
Technical contact:
Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society
Nils Sitar
Project Manager Sustainable Horizons & Student Recruitment Manager
Project European Universities & Student Recruitment
Mobile: +1523 4661319
E-mail: nils.sitar@hwg-lu.de
