As a University, it is our duty to communicate the diversity of our research activities, objectives and results broadly and in a variety of ways to society in order to contribute to informed and evidence-based discourses in the public sphere. Above all, we want to make our diverse contributions to sustainability topics even more centrally visible and structured, e.g. along the SDGs in all media on a regular basis.

The UoC fulfils its role as a multiplier and has already networked with strong partners both regionally (Cologne Student Services – KSTW, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne Universities, Research Alliance Cologne, Kölner Wissenschaftsrunde as well as nationally and within the framework of EUniWell and its internationalization strategy or within the Coimbra and Education through Responsibility Groups, among others. Through its Global Responsibility approach and international partnerships, the UoC is expanding its teaching and learning opportunities in the area of sustainability and its work in the spirit of the SDGs.

Knowledge Transfer as a strategic part of the University Strategy Plan (Hochschulentwicklungsplan)

Open educational and research opportunities are offered for all age groups (children’s university, junior university, guest auditor and senior studies, in-service training for teaching and management, among others). There is growing exchange on sustainability between the University and practitioners in politics and business through working groups, expert opinions and committee activities. A strategy for social dialogue and knowledge transfer was developed in the University Strategy Plan. As a newly visible start-up university, many innovations are given a space for realization within the framework of the Gateway Excellence Start-up Center.

The numerous support and mentoring formats of the Gateway Excellence Start-up Center, which will also house the Sustainability Office in its building from autumn 2023, target students and digital ideas. Through its proximity to the start-up ecosystem, the Sustainability Office inspires the university's start-up spirit with ideas for the transformation towards sustainability. In turn, the sustainability team acquires entrepreneurial methods and applies them in the area of sustainable transformation.

The University’s achievements affect society:

1. Innovations and start-up ideas related to sustainability are particularly promoted.
2. Expert mediation and policy advice related to sustainability and
3. Open (dialogue) formats (e.g. Citizen Science) pertaining to sustainability (in the city and the Rhineland) are diversified and expanded, especially for change agents such as teachers, on changing, diverse scientific topics.
4. The measures for transfer and commitment laid out in the University Strategy Plan are linked to sustainability-related research and teaching.