Sustainability Days at TU Ilmenau

The guided tour with the town forester, Matthias Wetzel, is suitable for anyone interested, including children, and lasts around 1½ to 2 hours

A longer guided walk with Jens Wolling. The route takes you through the biosphere reserve to the Rennsteig. 

Recycle your old textiles at the workshop in the University Library’s Makerspace

Get creative and make a statement for greater sustainability! As part of the Sustainability Days, you’ll have the chance to sew your own bag from recycled or eco-friendly materials. Step by step, you’ll create a unique, personalised piece that’s not only practical but also helps conserve resources.

Whether you have previous experience or not – everyone is warmly welcome to get creative together and play an active part in shaping sustainable consumption.

Participation is by prior registration only.

A new term has begun – and with it, our latest update on sustainability on campus!

With a new editorial and presenting team, we’ll be discussing the latest news on sustainability, including: Where is the new Green Office located? What’s become of the ‘free’ shelf in the canteen? Are there any sustainability-related courses on offer this term that you can enrol on? Who are the current student representatives on the Sustainability Task Group, who represent the voice of students at the university? Tune in for answers, insights and fascinating discussions, accompanied by some lovely music and a relaxed, cosy atmosphere.

Curious about sustainability on campus? Come along and experience it for yourself!

Visit us at the TU Ilmenau ‘Market of Opportunities’ and discover a wide range of student initiatives, projects and teams dedicated to making campus life more sustainable. Whether you want to get involved, learn something new or simply be inspired, there’s something for everyone here.

What to expect:

• A second-hand fashion corner. Discover unique pieces and give clothes a new lease of life!
• Interactive games and information stands run
by student sustainability initiatives • Insights into sustainability in teaching and research at TU Ilmenau
• A special plant-based menu from the canteen team, as well as free drinks from Bionade

Come along and become part of the community working towards a more sustainable campus!

In recent years, heat stress has become significantly more severe, which is also affecting working conditions at TU Ilmenau. The Sustainability Task Group conducted a survey on this topic last year. The results of this survey and the next steps to be taken will be presented by Marco Hennhöfer, Chair of the Staff Council and member of the Sustainability Task Group, and Sebastian Illhardt, the Health and Safety Officer. Together with the University Chancellor, Dr Wolfgang Ramsteck, they will then be available to answer questions and listen to suggestions from staff members.

The loss of biodiversity is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Every little gesture counts, and together we can make a difference!

On 22 April 2026, we will be celebrating Earth Day by planting a tree on our campus. The joint tree-planting event will take place at the University Sports Centre, together with the belly dancers and the DaChor choir from KuKo e.V. The tree will be funded by donations collected at the belly dance group’s anniversary event (Oriana X) in October 2025.

Why a tree? Trees are essential to our ecosystem: they store CO₂, improve air quality, provide shade and offer a habitat for numerous species. At the same time, planting a tree symbolises our connection to nature, which was also the focus of the belly dance group’s anniversary event.

Get involved and support our campus on its journey towards greater sustainability!

“Engineering for a sustainable future” – this motto on our website reflects our commitment to training engineers who are not only technically competent but also take responsibility for the environment, society and future generations. But what does that mean in practice? How can a forward-looking engineering education be structured? How can university teaching focus more closely on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

A workshop followed by a discussion session will explore these questions.

The first part will focus on how teaching can be structured to specifically support the achievement of the SDGs. The workshop will concentrate on learning objectives, whilst also providing ideas for appropriate teaching methods. Fabian Bendisch, a research assistant on the ThüLena project, will provide insights into how sustainability can be integrated into courses and taught effectively.

The second part deals with the planned SDG labelling in degree programmes and modules. Prof. Dr Jens Wolling from the Sustainability Task Group will provide insights into how the SDGs can be made visible and clearly communicated within degree programmes and modules.

In collaboration with BürgerEnergie Thüringen e.V., the Technical University of Ilmenau is organising the 10th Thuringian Citizens’ Energy Day, which will focus on presentations on sustainable energy, climate protection and public participation in the energy transition. This event is also being organised in collaboration with the Ilm District Office, the Ilm Adult Education Centre, the ‘Nachhaltiges Ilmenau’ network and Bürgerkraft Thüringen eG.

Detailed information on the program

Join us for our unique photo walk, where we’ll be exploring the sustainable aspects of campus life at TU Ilmenau. The event is open to everyone, regardless of your photography experience! This is your chance to discover inspiring photo opportunities. Whether you use a smartphone, an analogue camera or professional kit – all types of cameras are welcome. It’s all down to your perspective and creativity!

Organised in collaboration with the KuKo e.V. Photography Club, the event offers a great opportunity to exchange ideas, broaden your horizons and capture striking images of sustainability on campus. The photo walk also marks the official launch of a photography competition on the theme of sustainability at TU Ilmenau.

Don’t throw it away – repair it!

Repairing rather than throwing things away is an important step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Our aim is not only to help you repair your devices, but also to pass on knowledge so that you can solve similar problems yourself in future. At the Repair Café Ilmenau, members of Ingenieure ohne Grenzen e.V. are on hand to help you repair your broken electrical appliances and answer any questions you may have about using smartphones or computers. Tools and materials are provided – just bring your appliance and your curiosity!

You can find further information at: www.ingenieure-ohne-grenzen.org/rpt-ilmenau