Dates
27 July – 09 August 2025
Overview
The two-week SustAInability Summer School in Heidelberg offered a unique combination of scientific training, innovation, and cultural exploration. Hosted at SRH University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg, the program gathered students and mentors from Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and Cambodia to work on sustainability challenges through technology-driven solutions.
Participants engaged in daily workshops and collaborative sessions covering topics such as IoT sensor networks, AI for environmental analysis, data visualization dashboards, and quantum computing for sustainability. Several of these sessions were guided by SRH faculty, including Prof. Ulrike Gayh, who led an interactive workshop on water management and environmental data, connecting local case studies with the participants’ technical projects.
The academic part was complemented by field experiences. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Thomas Sterr, the excursion to the Alps (Taschachhaus) provided first-hand insights into glacial environments, biodiversity, and the tangible effects of climate change. This journey not only deepened the understanding of environmental systems but also fostered strong group cohesion and interdisciplinary reflection.
During the Heidelberg stay, students also visited the SRH Gründer-Institut — the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship hub that supports student startups, sustainability ventures, and early-stage prototypes. The visit offered a glimpse into how research ideas can transition into viable business concepts, encouraging participants to think beyond academic outcomes toward social and economic impact.
Overall, the Summer School successfully merged technology, ethics, and collaboration. It created a vibrant environment where engineering met environmental science, and where new partnerships and project ideas continue to grow beyond the event itself.