Despite the fact that the weather this year was somewhat unfriendly to the EMPOWER team, this didn’t put a damper on their good spirits. One and a half years after the start of the project, around 60 EMPOWER team members met in the auditorium of Mainz University of Applied Sciences around noon on June 19 for this year’s summer party.
In an informative session moderated by representatives of the project management, all subprojects used the opportunity to provide an update. Those responsible for the pilot projects “Smart Industry” (Mainz University of Applied Sciences), “Social Participation Digital: Apps for Older People” (Catholic University of Applied Sciences Mainz), “Urban Experimental Spaces” (Bingen Technical University of Applied Sciences), “SecureView” (Worms University of Applied Sciences) and “New Work Experimental Space” (Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society) all reported on the current status of their projects. An up-to-date overview was also provided on the overarching tasks of project-related evaluation, knowledge management, and event and communication management.
After two and a half hours packed with information, the informal part of the event began and the barbecue was fired up in the courtyard. The host team ensured there were cool drinks, fresh waffles, the local cheese specialty “Spundekäs” and pretzels. Combined with the salads, cakes, and other delicacies that were brought along, this resulted in a varied and delicious buffet. As a small surprise and to further strengthen the EMPOWER team spirit, event manager Holger Roßberg had announced the “EMPOWER Science Sportive Games” and set up a goal screen in the auditorium. The EMPOWER team had the opportunity to put their skills to the test with golf, field hockey, or soccer (all in soft indoor versions!). The event was also a great way to gear up for the German national team’s second preliminary round match that evening.
More information:
EMPOWER is a collaborative project between five universities of applied sciences in Rhineland-Palatinate. The aim of EMPOWER is to promote the research-based transfer of ideas, knowledge, and technology with business and society in the Rhine-Main-Neckar region.
You can find more information on the individual projects on the EMPOWER homepage (in German)
You can watch the short video of the EMPOWER 2024 summer party, which was produced by students Anna-Lena Karl, Caroline Walter, Rebecca Rölz & Hanna Buchholtz, on the YouTube channel of Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
Impressions from the EMPOWER 2024 summer party:
