VR Bank Bayreuth-Hof has been committed to Hof University of Applied Sciences for many years and thus to the educational prospects in the region. Thanks to a donation of EUR 5,000 from the net proceeds of profit savings, research at the new Institute for Sustainable Water Systems (inwa) can now be expanded.
The donation will be used to purchase a special measuring case at Hof University of Applied Sciences, which will benefit the researchers in their work. “The device is there to precisely determine the moisture content of the soil and thus support various investigations by our research groups,” explains Institute Director Prof. Günter Müller-Czygan.
Donation can be used in many ways
Together with his colleagues, Prof. Müller-Czygan is researching the sponge city / sponge region concept in particular. The aim is to store precipitation so well that no flooding occurs during heavy rainfall events and to bridge the increasingly frequent periods of heat and drought by releasing the stored water in a targeted manner. “This is enormously important research work in times of climate change. However, the practical implementation of corresponding measures is also an enormous challenge for local authorities and the private sector.” The Competence and Transfer Center Sustainable Sponge Region (ktns) was recently founded at the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems in order to provide the best possible support for all stakeholders in this field through qualified research. “It goes without saying that moisture and the absorption capacity of the soil play a particularly important role in all this research work. We can therefore make very good use of the measuring kit in many different research projects, as part of Master’s theses and also in internships,” explains Prof. Dr. Manuela Wimmer, Head of the Sustainability and Project Management in Water Management research group.
Present and future topic
Bernd Schnabel, CEO of VR Bank Bayreuth-Hof, is also convinced of the commitment shown:
As a leading credit institution in the region, we regularly support Hof University of Applied Sciences with innovative projects from the net proceeds of our profit savings. Research into the sponge city and sponge region is forward-looking and a real benefit for our entire region and certainly soon beyond. We are happy to support this!”
Bernd Schnabel
Thanks from the university president
“This generous support will further strengthen our research. The money is definitely well invested.”
University President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann
The donation from VR Bank Bayreuth-Hof, which far exceeds the normal amount and regularity, is exemplary and makes it clear how important the education of young people is to the donor, continued Prof. Lehmann.
