Anyone studying at the ZHAW can have a greater influence on university life than their timetable may suggest. The ZHAW Students’ Union is the official representative body for all ZHAW students. The association represents student interests before the Executive Board, public authorities and other bodies. The Student Council addresses student concerns and elects representatives to committees. Its work also covers topics such as sustainability, university policy and diversity.
Leoni Brogli
Head of the Student Commission for Sustainable Development (NaKt) of the ZHAW Students’ Union
“At the NaKt, we offer students the opportunity to engage actively with sustainability, take part in inspiring events and get involved with various sustainability topics.”
Sustainability depends on participation
Anyone wishing to get actively involved in sustainability will find a direct entry point with the NaKt of the ZHAW Students’ Union. The commission serves as the point of contact for sustainability matters within the association and raises students’ awareness of sustainable development through events and activities.
It also acts as an important link to ZHAW sustainable, national networks and the ZHAW Sustainable Development Committee (SDC). The latter comprises management figures, specialists and students from all of the university's Schools and departments and aims to promote transparency, inclusion and participation in sustainable development.
This is how student participation gains strategic impact. Students not only raise issues, but also play an active part in the process of preparing, discussing and advancing sustainability matters before they are brought to the attention of the Executive Board.
Sophia Steiger
Co-President of the ZHAW Students’ Union
“Sustainable development at the ZHAW also requires the perspective of students. As Co-Presidents, we are committed to ensuring that these voices are heard and reflected in concrete decisions. At the same time, we highlight ways in which every individual can get involved.”
From ideas to change
The Re:Act dialogue series also demonstrated what such participation can look like in practice: during interdisciplinary events, students and staff worked together to develop new approaches to sustainable development and stronger collaboration across the ZHAW. These discussions were informed by the findings of the previous sustainability report.
This is how active participation becomes tangible: students can get involved on an ad hoc basis, become regularly involved through the NaKt or take on responsibility in university governance. Individual ideas can give rise to events, projects, proposals or new initiatives for the advancement of the sustainability strategy.
Sustainability at the ZHAW is therefore not solely an institutional responsibility. It also depends on students who ask critical questions, highlight contradictions and put forward their own solutions.
