The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Birgit Hernády, head of the International Office, as well as a keynote speech by Bernadette Triebl-Wurzinger from the company Saubermacher. In the afternoon, we had a campus tour and an authentic Austrian dinner at the Gösser Bräu in the evening. This to network and get to know each other in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
The second day was dedicated to sustainability. We discussed various aspects of sustainability in higher education institutions, from communicating sustainability to reporting on sustainability following common European standards. FH JOANNEUM’s sustainability coordinator Harald Wipfler led the group through the day while Thomas Wolkinger from the journalism program spoke about climate communication. A highlight of the day was the presentation of various sustainability activities from the participants’ home universities. In the afternoon, we embarked on a sustainable city tour of Graz, which highlighted the city’s efforts in promoting sustainability. This tour offered participants a firsthand look at various eco-friendly initiatives and was an eye-opening experience that inspired many to think about how they could implement similar practices in their own communities.
The third day focused on well-being, starting with a joint movement session hosted by two physiotherapy students from FH JOANNEUM. Afterwards, Christina Neumeister and Dagmar Wendler presented FH JOANNEUM’s corporate health department, before the participants toured FH JOANNEUM and visited various departments working on health-related topics. From smart care units to learning design and insects as an alternative protein source, the tour had several diverse stops with room for discussions. Like the day before, the participants had the opportunity to present their own best practice examples related to health and well-being in the afternoon. The day was rounded off with a joint meditation session hosted by senior lecturer Monika Altenreiter.
The fourth day took us to the beautiful campus of Bad Gleichenberg, where the focus was on tourism and well-being. Participants learned about the campus’s unique approach to integrating well-being into their programs and facilities. The serene environment provided a perfect backdrop for discussions on how to enhance well-being in the workplace. We also visited the renowned Zotter Chocolate Factory, where participants enjoyed a speech by Julia Zotter as well as a tour of the facotry and learned about the sustainable practices employed in chocolate production.
The Staff Week on Sustainability and Well-Being in the Workplace was a tremendous success. The team at FH JOANNEUM is thankful for all the interesting insights and discussions brought in by the participants. We hope that the knowledge gained can be put to use, ensuring more sustainable and healthy workplaces within our partner universities.
