Research projects
Duration: 2015-2017
Projectsite
The ISS-EU module aims to promote the European values of the EMBS path in training multiculturalism, exploiting experiences of internationalization and developing soft skills for organizational change.
In literature, both researchers and practitioners propose theories, models and best practices with regard to two specific areas:
- the correlation between internationalization and acquisition of multicultural skills and
- the relationship between soft skills and organizational change.
The acquisition of soft skills for organizational change in a European and international context has however received little attention.
The ISS-EU project aims to offer the opportunity to acquire advanced soft skills and knowledge in the field of change management in a European and international context to talented students of various backgrounds and cultures.
ISS-EU promotes research and first teaching experience on soft skills, internationalization and change management for students, young researchers, scholars, and practitioners at European level. ISS-EU wants to fill a gap existing in both scientific studies and teaching methods: the relation between internationalization, soft skills competences and change management [4, 5, 6, 7, 8].
For that reason, the project will focus on:
- the correlation between internationalization and acquisition of multicultural and soft skills,
- the relationship between soft skills and organizational change, and
- the triangulation of the above-mentioned relations.
The module goals:
- promotes research and first teaching experience for young researchers and scholars and practitioners in European Union issues
- fosters the publication and dissemination of the results of academic research
- creates interest in the EU and constitutes the basis for future poles of European knowledge, particularly in Partner Countries
- delivers tailor-made courses on specific EU issues relevant for graduates in their professional life
The ISS-EU module will deliver tailor-made courses and a seminar series on specific issues relevant for graduates in their European professional life related to the following WPs:
WP1 - Internationalization and multiculturalism at European and international level: overview of EU commerce, globalization of competitive environments and the determinants of international competitive advantage. Influence of the environmental variable "culture" on EU operations of the firm and strategies of internationalisation (Responsible Prof. Trevisan, UniTrento)
WP2 - Negotiation and Training: theoretical approaches, practical concepts, strategies and negotiation tactics in Europe
(Responsible Prof. Wagner – visiting scholar)
WP3 - Theatrical improvisation workshop: an innovative elective course of improvisational theatre. Two days of experiential teaching, involving students from all over Europe, aimed to improve soft skills for teamwork, conflict and change management, multiculturalism and innovation. Soft skills will be acquired through an experiential activity in which students from all over Europe will understand different behaviour, coordinate each other to solve emerging and unexpected problems, and develop innovative solutions
(Responsible Prof. Cuel – Module coordinator, UniTrento)
WP4 - The triangulation of the three modules, on topics as soft skills, organizational behaviours, negotiation, and innovation
(responsible Prof. Pommeret – visiting scholar).
further information: ISS-EU General overview | Jean Monnet Centre (unitn.it)
Circular economy of urban carbon flows through innovative bio-waste recovery pathways.
As part of the SDG graduate program CirCles, the potentials of innovative recycling paths for urban biowaste are being investigated in collaboration with the departments of Sustainable Marketing, Resource Management and Waste Technology as well as Grassland Science and Renewable Resources. The inter- and transdisciplinary project aims to close urban carbon cycles by providing biowaste free of foreign matter, processing it in a targeted manner and recycling it sustainably.
Currently, activated carbons based on hard coal or coconut are mainly used for the targeted removal of organic trace substances from wastewater matrices. At the Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Resources, the suitability of urban biowaste as a raw material for the production of activated carbons is being investigated within the framework of CirCles. The focus is on a targeted processing of biowaste for activated carbon production and the development of adapted pyrolysis and activation profiles for the production of high-quality biogenic activated carbons for wastewater treatment.
Project information
Project partner:
Department of Urban Water Management
Department of Sustainable Marketing
Department of Resource Management and Waste Technology
Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Resources
Associated partners:
Stadtreiniger Kassel
Waste Disposal District Kassel
KASSELWASSER
Environment and Garden Department of the City of Kassel
Sponsored by
University of Kassel within the framework of the SDG Graduate Program
Duration: July 2022 - December 2025
Ending Plastic Floods: How Bacolod City is Tackling Plastic Waste and Empowering Women.
The project is funded by the Hessian Ministry of the Environment and GIZ Germany, with project management by the University of Kassel in collaboration with the University of St. La Salle and La Consolacion College Bacolod.
Project title: "Assessment and Management of Plastic Waste Streams and Their Leakages in Bacolod City, Philippines."
Project duration: October 2023 – March 2025
Funding program: German Government and Federal States Programme (Bund-Länder-Programm, BLP)
Sponsor: Hessian Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection & GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation)
Project partners: Hessian Ministry of the Environment, GIZ Germany, GIZ Philippines, Universities in the Philippines: St. La Salle University & La Consolacion College Bacolod.
Project description:
1. Initial situation and problem description
In the ASEAN countries, each person generates an estimated 1.14 kg of municipal waste per day. Due to increasing prosperity, population growth, and rising urbanization, waste volumes are rapidly increasing. Although some of this waste is properly disposed of, a much too small portion is recycled in a circular economy sense.
Particularly problematic are plastics, which, due to their durability, pose a significant burden on both people and nature. The informal waste sector in the Philippines contributes significantly to recycling and provides a livelihood for disadvantaged people, especially women. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law introduced in the Philippines in 2022 requires companies to take back and recycle plastic packaging, with the goal of substantially reducing plastic waste by 2028.
2. Project overview
2.1 Aim of the project
The project aims to identify plastic leakages in the waste upstream and to strengthen municipal waste management in Bacolod City with regard to preventing leakages. It is important to highlight the contribution of informal waste collection. For disadvantaged women, in particular, collecting recyclable materials, including plastic waste, offers a comparatively attractive opportunity to earn a regular income. At the same time, this reduces the entry of plastic into waterways and eventually into the oceans. Moreover, the risk of flooding during extreme weather events is reduced, as the plastic waste collected by informal waste collectors no longer blocks the drainage systems
2.2 Target audience and other stakeholders
The primary target audience is the urban population of Bacolod City, who are affected by blocked drainage systems due to improperly disposed plastic waste. Identifying the major sources of plastic leakage can help reduce plastic entry into the sea and improve the living conditions of women and disadvantaged groups.
2.3 Partner structure
The project team from the University of Kassel is working with the Bacolod City local government, the municipal waste office, the University of Saint La Salle, as well as a group of 130 primarily female informal waste pickers.
2.4 Project implementation
- Waste Flow Diagram (WFD): Primary data collection and use of the WFD tool, developed in 2020, to identify waste streams in Bacolod City. Unlike other waste flow tracking methods, the WFD tool focuses on quantifying leakages and allows for simulation of the consequences of changes to the local collection system.
- Leakage collection for composition classification: Identification and assessment of leakages at selected points in the wastewater system in Bacolod City. Additionally, this includes evaluating pollution from microparticles and the entry of microplastics into the world's oceans and thus into our food chain.
- Recommendations for waste management strategies: recommendations for improving waste management in Bacolod City, including adjustments to local strategies and waste regulations.
- Business concepts for women in waste management: Development of business models to promote women in the plastic waste sector. Workshops and training modules are designed to provide women with a path out of informal, precarious work.