Dispatch from Münster
- Christina Lundgren
- May 1
- 5 min read
When it comes to blending innovation, sustainability, and education, Münster, Germany, stands out as a city on the cutting edge. The city is a widely recognized leader on sustainable transportation, always ranks as one of Germany’s most livable cities, and features a broad range of highly respected educational institutions.
As a key partner in the Climate-Smart Municipalities (CSM) network, the City of Münster holds a climate partnership with the City of Rochester and is home to FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, the CSM project’s most important collaborator on the student exchanges. These exchanges open doors to leadership at both city and university levels, with Deputy Mayor Angela Stähler officially welcoming the delegation and FH Münster University of Applied Sciences showcasing two of its impressive campuses.
Münster demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to meaningful climate action and transformative educational practices.
FH Münster: a practical approach to higher education
FH Münster University of Applied Sciences is a source of innovation in Münster. With over 15,000 students and 105 degree programs, the university exemplifies Germany’s applied sciences education system. Unlike traditional academic paths, FH Münster emphasizes the combination of theoretical and practical, hands-on, learning in various ways, including dual bachelor’s programs combining studies with vocational training.
Students benefit from smaller class sizes, facilitating close mentorship and practical skill development. Partnerships with industry ensure graduates are ready for the workforce, with many students concurrently employed by local companies during their studies.
The affordability of education of FH Münster, as part of the German education system, also stands out in comparison to the U.S., with a semester fee of just €300 and an average monthly cost of living of about €1,000 in Münster.
Sustainability in action: FH Münster’s Climate Action Plan
FH Münster leads by example with its Climate Action Plan, aiming for a climate neutral administration by 2030, a 65% emissions reduction from 1990 levels:
Phase one (2021-2023): Develop an integrated climate protection concept.
Phase two (2023-2026): Implement measures and establish climate protection management at FH Münster.
This plan approaches action through three scopes, aligned with climate action standards:
Scope one: Direct combustion (natural gas, fuel, oil); vehicle fleet; volatile gasses
Scope two: Energy purchases of electricity and district heating
Scope three: Business trips; commuting; upstream chain of energy supply; paper consumption
Christopher Sabotke, FH Münster’s technical climate protection manager emphasizes the need to “spark the dialogue,” highlighting the importance of engaging the academic community in sustainability initiatives.
Showcasing student research
During our visit at FH Münster, students prepared mini presentations on topics they are interested in. Presentations included:
Green Hydrogen – Green World? by Atousa Seyedian (FH Münster): Exploring hydrogen production methods to create sustainable energy solutions.
Transparent Photovoltaics by Hozea Kariuki (University of Minnesota-Twin Cities): Utilizing solar panels that can double as windows, with applications ranging from greenhouses to emergency devices.
Insulation Codes by Charley Rathgeber (University of Minnesota-Twin Cities): Advocating to enforce insulation standards to improve energy efficiency in buildings in North Dakota and other home ruling states.
Innovations in water and energy management
Münster’s leadership in sustainability extends to water and energy systems. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jens Haberkamp of FH Münster’s civil engineering department emphasized the growing need to treat wastewater for an expanded range of new applications, including as clean drinking water and for the recovery of finite and increasingly scarce resources. FH Münster developed decentralized mobile water treatment facilities, enabling on site water reuse and recovery of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wetter and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bruegging lead FH Münster’s research on energy and environmental services. Their work has been instrumental as scientific advisors to Saerbeck’s energy and climate initiatives. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christof Wetter presented on sector coupling—integrating energy systems to maximize efficiency. Innovations like converting hydrogen to ammonia as fuel and decentralizing energy production show the path forward. While we have the technology in place, Wetter emphasized the critical next step: “The most important thing now is to put this information in the place between people’s ears—in their minds.”
Münster’s leadership in sustainable transportation
Transportation is another area where Münster excels. The city’s electric bus depot is a testament to its commitment to electrification. Florian Adler, Chief of Staff for Mobility at Stadtwerke Münster, shared that the city will fully transition to an electric bus fleet and has already achieved 80% of that goal. This progress is driven by the city’s visionary leadership, a partnership with an electric bus start up, and the potential for reduced maintenance costs. Drivers also benefit from quieter buses with less vibration, reducing physical strain and promoting pride in driving state of the art vehicles.
Known as Germany’s “bicycle capital,” Münster takes sustainable transit a giant step further. With 4.1 million annual bike trips, the city’s “promenade,” a bike highway built along the old city wall, ensures that nearly half of all trips are made by bicycle. Our delegation experienced this firsthand, cycling through the city guided by Max Stewen and Bjoern Schilder from the city’s Bicycle Office.
The city’s leadership takes great pride in its sustainability achievements. In between our group’s bus depot and cycling tours, Deputy Mayor Angela Stähler, personally welcomed our delegation in the historic Hall of the Westphalian Peace (1648). She also hosted a wonderfully interactive lunch, facilitating meaningful dialogue and connections.
Hands-on learning for engineers at FH Münster’s Steinfurt campus
Around 5,000 students study at FH Münster’s Steinfurt campus, primarily focusing on engineering. We toured several cutting edge labs:
Control systems lab: Exploring electricity and photovoltaics.
Wastewater lab: Learning about water treatment and recycling.
Microbiology lab: Studying microorganisms vital to healthy ecosystems.
Biogas testing lab: Collaborating with companies to repurpose byproducts.
Students were inspired by the interactive learning opportunities. Aadi Sharma, a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities undergraduate, stated, “These labs are amazing. We have nothing like this.” Grace Madson, also a student on the Twin Cities campus, added, “If we had a school like this in the U.S., I’d go here in a heartbeat.”
In the afternoon, we participated in workshops on electric mobility, water hydraulics, and photovoltaics. These hands on sessions highlighted the practical application of sustainability focused technology, leaving a lasting impression on all participants.
Building bridges between Minnesota and Münster
The collaboration between FH Münster and the University of Minnesota exemplifies the value of international partnerships. As Vice-President for Knowledge Transfer and Partnerships, Carsten Schröder put it, these exchanges act as “bridge builders between Minnesota and Germany,” facilitating dialogue, friendship, and shared innovation.
During our visit, the group had the opportunity to connect with alumni and many of the 12 FH Münster students who will intern in Minnesota, beginning the end of March through the CSM program. These future interns will further the program’s mission of integrating academic knowledge with hands-on experience to address pressing climate challenges collaboratively.
From cutting edge research to applied climate action, Münster and its institutions provide a blueprint for integrating sustainability into education, transportation, and more. This partnership reminds us that progress is driven by collective effort, sharing bold ideas, and putting into practice what we learn from one another.
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