New campus in Oldenburg: Creative workshops for the future!

New campus in Oldenburg: Creative workshops for the future!

Something is happening in Oldenburg! A new campus is being built on Auguststrasse, behind the old fire department, which will accompany the Jade University into a sustainable future. For students, the planned campus workshop is not only a place for learning, but also a space for creative projects. The plan is for the new building to open in 2027, and not just any building - everyone is watching the investments in the equipment and the conditions for students. Prof. Dr. Manfred Weisensee, President of the university, emphasizes the efforts to improve the teaching and learning environment in order to do justice to the student body.

The new building will bring together a variety of workshops under one roof, including wood and metal construction workshops as well as model making workshops. On two floors, these areas are supplemented by work rooms for architecture, construction, geoinformation and health technology. According to Dr. Bert Albers, the university's vice president, sees the increased need for space as an indication of the growing demands of students and departments.

Sustainability in focus

But that's not all: the building will be built as a two-story wooden building made of sustainable materials. A photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof to provide energy for your own needs. Ventilation systems with heat recovery ensure that the new building also sets standards in terms of energy efficiency. In addition, the building will be connected to the university's local heating network, which is operated by a combined heat and power plant and an air heat pump. The total costs for this future-oriented project amount to 7 million euros and are therefore a clear statement towards sustainable higher education.

As an educational institution, Jade University sees itself as having a responsibility for both current and future generations. The latest figures show that sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a continuous process. With the publication of its first sustainability report for 2022/2023, the university documents progress and challenges in environmentally conscious, socially just and economically responsible university operations. The focus is on anchoring sustainability in teaching, research and campus design, as the university explains on its website.

A network for sustainable development

It's not just the Jade University that is involved here, the topic is also a top priority at a national level. According to the University Rectors' Conference (HRK), educational institutions have been committed to sustainable development for years and have integrated the principles of sustainability into their structures. The UN Decade of “Education for Sustainable Development” has secured this topic a permanent place in Germany and launched a round table in which thousands of universities are involved.

The ultimate goal of these efforts is to prepare students for challenges in society, the environment and the economy. The state of affairs shows that sustainability is not just a trend, but an essential responsibility that must be anchored in higher education. In this way, future generations will be well trained and motivated to contribute their part to a more sustainable future.

The progress in Oldenburg sets an example: educational institutions are developing further and shaping their future with a clear view of sustainability. Everyone involved can be proud of that.

Find out more about this exciting project and Jade University's efforts on the website of NWZonline and Jade College. You can find more information about the general promotion of sustainable development in universities at HRK website.