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In this Issue

• – h_da PREMIERE: Great Theatre
• – Green Office supports energy saving
• – “Förderverein”: Help for the helpers
• – Big celebration: 50 years of h_da
• – “Medianer” celebrate great Absolvia
• – People & Paths: Portrait of Pia A. Döll
• – In a Nutshell
• – Calls & Prizes
• – Dates & Events

New ways: The first semester welcome "h_da PREMIERE" was again in digital format, but this time resembled a play. (Screenshot: h_da)

Despite the current energy problems and possible Corona requirements, the h_da conducts the winter semester as an attendance semester - in the interests of the students. The approximately 3,000 first-year students were able to attend the first-semester introductions of their respective degree programmes. In addition, on Friday (14.10.) they were again welcomed in the digital format launched in 2020. Once again, an interdisciplinary team of students from the faculty of Media was behind the third "h_da PREMIERE" (DE). About 60 students from seven degree programmes worked on the project in image and sound, editing, moderation and production, make-up, graphic design and set design, video conferencing technology, social media and project management. Together with the central university communication department, they gave the new "freshmen" a warm welcome. The concept of the "h_da PREMIERE 2022" was new this time. The information needed for the start of studies was woven into a fictional plot similar to a play. Exciting to watch (DE)!

Politicians also support the h_da's goal of keeping the university open. The Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (Kultusministerkonferenz) and the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) have defined universities and schools as "protected customers". This means that the h_da will continue to receive gas even in the event of a gas shortage, albeit in reduced quantities. In order to achieve energy savings, the room temperature in lecture halls, seminar rooms, offices and the library at the h_da is reduced to 19 degrees; corridors are no longer heated. Technical changes at and in our computer centres also reduce energy requirements. The h_da's Green Office, which was founded in August, supports these measures with a campaign that provides information on the topic and the measures taken by the h_da as well as concrete tips on saving electricity, heating and ventilating. Among other things, there are regular updates on a website on the topic of energy (DE). In the Green Office, a team of student assistants led by Johannes Döring - h_da alumnus of environmental engineering - initiates, bundles and supports sustainability activities at the university. The "GO" will be a contact point for ideas, suggestions and projects and aims to sensitise h_da members to the topic of sustainable development.

Looking for support: The board of the "Förderverein”, here at the anniversary festival in June. (Photo: private)

The "Förderverein” (Association for the Support of Students in Need at the h_da) helps students out of precarious situations and emergencies. The Corona pandemic has already significantly worsened the financial situation of many students because mini-jobs were lost during the lockdowns. Now these problems are exacerbated by the rising cost of living and energy due to the Ukraine war. In an interview on the association's website (DE), Isabell Schader, chairperson of the association, says: "The situation of many students is dramatic.” In addition, the association is currently facing similar problems. The helpers themselves need support in order to continue to fulfil their important role. "We need to gain members for the association as quickly as possible and generate donations," says Isabell Schader. Would you like to become a sustaining member, make a one-time donation or get involved in some other way? You can find all the information you need on the association's website (DE).

Big party: In June, the university's 50th anniversary was finally celebrated on the campus in Darmstadt. (Photo: h_da)

More than 2,500 h_da members, alumni and partners celebrated the 50th anniversary of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences at the anniversary festival on 23 June (DE). The ceremony in the Café Glaskasten was attended by 100 guests, including eleven chemical engineers who graduated in 1971. For this, h_da President Arnd Steinmetz had awarded them their golden diplomas in advance. Various initiatives, institutions and partners of the h_da took part in the stall market on campus. Later, all music lovers and dance enthusiasts got their money's worth. At the festival on the stage next to the refectory, four live bands fired up the crowd, and later DJs played in the Glaskasten. Conclusion: the pandemic-related wait was worth it - we had a great time! More information on the history of the h_da and the anniversary on the page "50 Years of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences" (DE).

Exuberant graduation party: Absolvia was celebrated on the Dieburg campus one day after the anniversary festival. (Photo: h_da/Steven Wolf)

On 24 June, the Dieburg campus, which has been part of the h_da since 2000, celebrated "20+2 years of Campus Dieburg". In the afternoon, the media graduates were honoured at the "Absolvia". Dean Prof. Dr. Stefan Schmunk and President Prof. Dr. Arnd Steinmetz, himself a "Medianer", welcomed graduates from six semesters, families, friends and staff. The Medians had created sufficient seating in the campus courtyard with beer tent sets. In short speeches, the heads of the study programmes and student representatives looked back on their time together. Afterwards - despite a brief heavy thunderstorm - the party continued into the evening with live music. You can find some photos of the evening on the alumni website (DE).

Woman in demand: Pia A. Döll stands up for the interests of interior designers (Photo: private)

Pia A. Döll laid the foundation for her career with her interior design studies at the h_da. The multi-committed and interested alumna runs her own interior design office in Frankfurt. She is also very active in association work: she is president of the Association of German Interior Designers (bdia). You can read her portrait on the alumni website.

Find out more about your former university and about current research, development and transfer projects or events on the h_da homepage, in the science magazine impact and in the university newspaper campus_d (DE).
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