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Corporate Social Responsibility at UE

At UE we would like to make a contribution within our framework
when it comes to making things better in and for our society

Maurits Van Rooijen Scaled Gallery

Prof. Dr. Maurits van Rooijen, President of the University of Europe for Applied Sciences:

"UE is a place of shared learning and networking that thrives on the diversity of its employees and students. It is UE's goal to trigger a positive effect on our environment to move things for the better. We are convinced that only together, whether in science or in society, as teachers, students, alumni or employees from administration or the rectorate, we can cross borders. Only if we act together and work for each other and for others can we fulfill our social responsibility and shape the future. Thus, we have launched various academic projects and initiatives, set up scholarship programs and, in addition, support departmental activities and thus the extraordinary commitment of our students."
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Social responsibility

The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) places social responsibility, equality, and diversity at the heart of its mission. Beyond educating young people, the UE actively
supports social projects through collaborations, employee engagement, and scholarships to contribute to a better future.
Equality is a key priority, with measures in place to promote and monitor gender equality across the university. Diversity is equally fundamental, with a strong commitment to protecting against discrimination and fostering a respectful, inclusive community. Individual strengths and unique paths are actively supported in a personal atmosphere. For confidential support in cases of discrimination, the independent UE Diversity Taskforce is ready to support.
With this focus on responsibility, equality, and diversity, the UE combines education with a sustainable and inclusive vision both locally and globally.

Gender equality

Gender equality has a particularly high priority at UE. To ensure that gender equality is practised, encouraged and monitored at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, a decentralised Gender Equality Officer was elected in 2023. The Equal Opportunities Officer, Prof. Dr Uda-Mareke Risius, works together with all stakeholders (students, lecturers and professors, vice deans and deans) and committees (Academic Senate, Extended University Management, Presidium) of the university on measures to ensure gender equality and to review the effectiveness of existing measures. To this end, the Equal Opportunities Officer has drafted an equality concept, which was adopted in 2023 and will be actively applied in the following 4 years of office.

You can download the concept here. You can reach the Equal Opportunities Officer Prof. Dr. Uda-Mareke Risius by email.

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Diversity at UE

At the UE, we thrive off the diversity of our staff and students. Our top priority is to cultivate respectful interactions and ensure all staff and students are protected from discrimination at the university.
Diversity and equal opportunity play a major role in life at UE because interdisciplinary boundaries can only be transcended by working together. As such, we oppose all forms of discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual identity.
Dialogue and critical reflection are constantly encouraged at our university. Indispensably, both foster friendships as well as networks around the world and create an inspiring framework for academic scholarship and creativity.
At each campus, we cultivate a personalised atmosphere by responding to the unique strengths, life situations and development paths of each individual student and actively support them in their endeavours.
However, if students or staff are affected by discrimination, we are here to help. Please contact our  independent Diversity Task Force via the following address: diversity@ue-germany.de

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Morgan Diakité, Diversity Officer

“As Diversity Officer, I am an advocated for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) at UE by being a support person for staff and students. I work on the development of frameworks an protocols for DEIB, education on these topics and ensuring that regardless of your background or identity UE is an environment in which you feel safe and can thrive.”

Projects from the University

Auction success of the Pink Bear Project: 800 euros for Altona daycare centers

The Pink Bear Project auction, featuring bear pictures by children from two Altona daycare centers, raised 800 euros for Kita Panini e.V. and Kindergarten Kratzbürsten e.V.. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Merkle, Professor of Marketing at UE, presented the donation voucher to Beatrice Brossard, Managing Director of Kita Panini.
"The project was a lot of fun for the children, and they put a lot of effort into the bear pictures. We are very pleased with the proceeds from the auction," said Beatrice Brossard.
Held at the "Gemeinsam für Altona - Zusammen mehr bewegen" neighborhood party in June 2024, the auction included works by the children and artist LUAP (Paul Robinson). The 800 euros were split between the two daycare centers.
Prof. Wolfgang Merkle stated, "Working with the children and auctioning their artwork was inspiring. It shows how art can drive positive social change."
More information on the Pink Bear Project is available on the website.
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The Sherryl Kintu Scholarship

The UE set up the Sherryl Kintu Scholarship as a tribute to, and in recognition of, the passions and interests of Sherryl Kintu, who was a devoted employee of Global University Systems (parent company of the UE) for 9 years where she rose from Executive Assistant to a Director level position. Sherryl sadly passed away in April 2021 at a young age. She was known as a dependable friend to her co-workers and the company, with a desire and determination for everything she did.  The scholarships are supported by the Executive CEO and Founder of Global University systems in recognition of Sherryl’s contributions.
Continuing to champion the passions and beliefs of Sherryl, the UE is happy to announce that the “Sherryl Kintu Scholarship Scheme” for the year 2022 has been awarded to Valeriya Ibrayeva. This will cover a 100% the tuition fee for Valeriya’s studies at the UE and will help her in progressing her career as an artist.
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Holocaust Survivor Eva Weyl Shares Her Story at UE

On September 23, 2024, Holocaust survivor Eva Weyl visited the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) in Iserlohn to share her moving life story with students and local schoolchildren. Weyl, who survived the transit camp Westerbork in the Netherlands, a gateway to death, from which 107,000 people were deported to extermination camps, and only 5,000 survived, has for many years used every opportunity to educate young people about the horrors of the Holocaust and to raise awareness of the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime.

With powerful words, Weyl encouraged the audience to take on the responsibility of becoming “second witnesses” and to carry the memories of this dark period forward. It was a great honor for UE to welcome Ms. Weyl, and her message will resonate for a long time.
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University of Europe for Applied Sciences Dubai Hosts Empowerment Workshop for Women and Youth

In a landmark collaboration, the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) Dubai proudly hosted a women and youth empowerment workshop in partnership with Rohde & Schwarz Emirates L.L.C. and the German Consulate General at UE Campus Dubai. This one-day event, held on October 10, 2024, brought together female students and influential leaders from diverse industries to discuss professional development, career management, and work-life balance.
The workshop featured panel discussions and keynote speeches, providing students with valuable insights into navigating career challenges and preparing for transitions in the job market. The initiative aligns with the UAE Government’s Vision 2030, promoting women empowerment and youth advancement.
Dahlia Mahmoud, Professor for Innovation Design Management and Visual & Experience Design at UE Dubai, emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, “Providing young women with access to mentorship and career development tools is crucial in building the next generation of leaders. This workshop empowers our students to embrace their potential and face challenges head-on in their professional journeys.”

Through networking opportunities and practical sessions, participants gained invaluable advice on interview preparation and future career prospects. The initiative reinforces UE Dubai’s commitment to fostering inclusive, purpose-driven education and supporting the advancement of women and youth in the region.
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UE Joins the Call to Earth Day Initiative by CNN

At the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE), sustainability and social responsibility are at the core of our values. We are proud to participate in CNN's Call to Earth Day, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness and driving action for environmental conservation.
This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering a greener future through education, innovation, and community engagement. By empowering our students and faculty to contribute to sustainable solutions, we aim to inspire meaningful change both within and beyond our campuses.
Together, let’s make a lasting impact for our planet.
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Supporting Girls’ Education in Kolkata

At the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE), we believe in the power of education to break the cycle of poverty and create opportunities for a better future. As part of our commitment to social responsibility, UE donated €5,000 to the Loreto Rainbow Homes Foundation in Kolkata, India—an organization dedicated to providing shelter, education, and empowerment to underprivileged girls.
UE’s Managing Director Ernst Suganandarajah, alongside representatives from the German Consulate General in Kolkata and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, visited the foundation to present the donation and bring joy to the children with small gifts.
"Education is the key to a better life. Our contribution may be just a drop in the ocean, but you have to start somewhere to make a lasting impact," said Ernst Suganandarajah, reinforcing UE’s commitment to education-driven change.
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University of Europe for Applied Sciences Receives Iserlohn Integration Award

The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) has been honored with the Iserlohn Integration Award for its outstanding commitment to integration. The university actively promotes diversity and takes a strong stance against racism, a dedication now recognized through this award.
"UE makes an outstanding contribution to integration in an impressive way and serves as a great example of lived internationality and social mobility. The university attracts students from all over the world and fosters cultural exchange," said Michael Scheffler, Deputy Mayor of the City of Iserlohn, during the award ceremony on March 27, 2025, at the Städtische Galerien.
The laudatory speech was given by Ayman Alaiz, Chair of the Integration Council, who emphasized the significance of UE’s efforts:
"UE stands for the principle that origin should not determine opportunities, but rather our shared commitment to a better future. Integration is a task for all of us: we need courage, dedication, and a firm will to stand against any form of racism. The University of Europe exemplifies how integration can be successfully implemented in education and greatly enriches our city community," said Alaiz.
The award was accepted by UE lecturer Christiana Muzzu, together with dedicated students. Muzzu remarked:
"This recognition shows that, with over 140 different nationalities at UE, we can make a difference together. Only through mutual exchange can we create a successful and livable future. We are very grateful for this award, which motivates us to continue our work in this direction. We also want to thank our student Madeleine Wohlfromm, who nominated us for this prize. We are not all German, but we are all Germany!"
The Iserlohn Integration Award was presented for the 14th time in 2025. Its goal is to promote coexistence among people of different backgrounds and cultures while advocating for a diverse and tolerant society in Iserlohn. The award, granted by the Integration Council, is endowed with €1,000. In addition to UE, the Wiesengrund School also received the award.
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    Ressorts

    We support and promote the social commitment of our students. Over the course of the semester, students on all campuses have created a self-governing network of departments in which everyone can get involved. The goal is to make campus life more exciting and to build a community of students who are committed to the well-being of all. For more information, click here.

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    Scholarships

    Although we are a private university, we are committed to ensuring that education is not just the privilege of individuals. That is why we have established various scholarship programmes.

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    UE Dubai Celebrates Emirati Women’s Day and Expands Women in Tech Scholarship

    On Emirati Women’s Day 2024, the University of Europe for Applied Sciences in Dubai (UE Dubai) celebrated the achievements of nine Emirati women at the event "Your Story Builds a Nation." Under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, the event highlighted the vital contributions of these women to the UAE’s development.

  • "The Art of Helping" - UE professors organize benefit exhibition

    The art of helping - UE professors organize benefit exhibition

    As part of the 25th anniversary of the street magazine fiftyfifty, two photography professors from the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) Katharina Mayer and Matthias Leupold have co-organized and supported the benefit exhibition for the homeless "The Art of Helping" at the NRW Forum in Düsseldorf. Works by Gerhard Richter, Boris Becker, Katharina Mayer, Andreas Gursky, Gudrun Kemsa, Thomas Struth, Matthias Leupold and many others were shown, auctioned and sold. The proceeds from the sale of the benefit works shown here directly benefit the homeless aid.

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    Animal Welfare Association

    In addition to the great human suffering, numerous animals had also been affected by the floods in Hagen. For this reason, employees of the University of Europe from the Iserlohn campus got together and organized a collection of dog and cat food. They handed over the goodies to the Tierschutzverein (Animal Welfare Association) Hagen und Umgebung e.V.

  • UE Publishing’s first publication

    Non-profit research

    5G Inclusion 2.0. How can digital assistance systems (such as virtual reality glasses) based on 5G networking support people with cognitive impairments in their working environment?" This question is being investigated by the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) together with its project partners, the Gesellschaft für Bildung und Beruf e.V. (Dortmund) and the Iserlohner Werkstätten gGmbH, as part of the funded project "5G Inclusion 4.0".

Some of our Student Projects

  • Reporter ohne Grenzen

    Reporters Without Borders

     Students cooperate with Reporters without Borders and have designed illustrations, posters and info videos for them. You can find more information here.

  • Brokdorf bleibt! (Brokdorf stays!)

    Brokdorf bleibt! (Brokdorf stays!)

     Students get involved and give Brokdorf a voice. 70 students of the department “Art & Design” of the University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) – with the active support of the operator PreussenElektra and the agency Jung von Matt – dealt with the topic “energy transition and nuclear phase-out” and asked themselves how such an important moment can be adequately accompanied.

  • Donations for Ukraine

    Donations for Ukraine

    Our students and staff in Iserlohn joined efforts in support for Ukraine in light of recent events, by repurposing the university’s canteen into a donations collection centre.
    Together with Iserlohn schools and the local media, the initiative spread at short notice, with people bringing in food and medicine from day one. The collection point at the UE main campus entrance was open for a period of one-week thanks to added volunteer support. 

  • Special Olympics World Games Berlin

    UE recognised as scientific partner for Special Olympics World Games

    The UE recently conducted research work during the 2023 World Games in Berlin. The goal of the research was to analyse spectator motivation and the marketing of the Special Olympics World Games. As part of the scientific cooperation with the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, around 50 students from the Sports and Event Management programme conducted a spectator survey.

UE Students try German Food!

Our campus Berlin is diverse and attracts students from all over the world. In this video, our international students try out unusual German food and give their opinions! Check it out!

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