On June 26, 2026, the second student networking day in the series “Connect. Create. Change: Student Networking for a More Sustainable University” took place. As we did last year, we met at the Morgenstelle to foster better networking between the mountain and the valley.

About 15 motivated participants from a wide variety of initiatives, clubs, and groups—all of which focus on sustainable development—came together to exchange ideas, network, and get to know one another.

At the start of the networking day, Prof. Thomas Potthast, director of the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Development (KNE), provided an overview of the history of the KNE and of sustainable development at the University of Tübingen - from the student initiative “Greening the University e.V.” and its efforts, which led, for example, to the founding of the Advisory Board for Sustainable Development, the university’s EMAS certification, and the Studium Oecologicum, to the KNE’s networking days and finally to the Office of the Vice President for Sustainable Development, which was established at the University of Tübingen in 2024.

During the sustainability and icebreaker bingo, all participants had the opportunity to strike up conversations and answer various questions about sustainability. It also became clear that representatives from a wide variety of groups - such as Bunte Wiese, the Environmental Working Group (AK Umwelt), the campus magazine Kupferblau, and the Student Council for Environmental, Natural, and Geosciences - were present and able to share their perspectives and experiences. This was particularly relevant in light of the KNE’s effort to gather ideas, wishes, and needs from attendees for a future Office for Sustainable Development. After all, such an office should always have its doors open to students who wish to engage with and explore topics and projects related to sustainable development at the university, offering them a point of contact and, if needed, support. The discussion focused not only on brainstorming who, with what skills, should staff this office and with which partners projects could be implemented, but also on what the goals of such an office could and should be, and what the office would need to look like to achieve them.

In addition, this was also important for continuing and keeping up to date the Miro board that was created during the last student networking day. The board provides an overview of groups active in the NE sector, links to their websites, and highlights what these volunteers need and what skills they bring to the table. This enables targeted networking for project collaboration, asking questions about past experiences, or seeking help. It also highlights the topics being addressed by those present and identifies areas of overlap with other initiatives. Feel free to take a look and learn more!

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Evelyn, one of the two co-chairs of the Student Government, who gave us a very interesting and informative overview of how students can get involved in higher education policy at the university and make their voices heard.

We’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our dear colleagues and their helping hands and creative minds behind the scenes: Olga, Samanta, Lydia, Ida, and Jonathan - without you, events like this wouldn’t be possible!

We’re already looking forward to the student networking day next summer semester! If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at nachhaltigspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de

Your KNE Team