Social sustainability is an integral part of htw saar’s identity. Learning is understood as a social process supported by a vibrant social space. Here, people from diverse backgrounds, with varied experiences and perspectives, come together to learn from and with one another and to actively shape their study and work environment. We view this diversity as a great opportunity—it shapes our shared community and strengthens the university in its social responsibility. To live up to this responsibility, htw saar has deliberately created structures that enable participation, provide support, and promote equal opportunities. External certifications, such as that of a Fairtrade University, confirm this commitment. A wide range of counseling, service, and continuing education offerings supports students and staff in various life and developmental situations.
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The social partnership between the university as an employer and the staff councils plays a central role in this. Together with management, they establish reliable frameworks for good working conditions, staff development, and work-life balance. Through transparent procedures and advisory support, the Human Resources department contributes significantly to a respectful and equitable work environment.
A central guiding framework for our interactions is the Code of Conduct, which translates the values of the Teaching Mission Statement into clear behavioral guidelines and strengthens an inclusive, respectful, and discrimination-free university climate. Supplementary service agreements—such as those regarding working hours, remote work, and inclusion—create reliable conditions that support the balance between work and family life. In parallel, a wide range of counseling and support services is available, ranging from academic planning and financial and family matters to psychological and psychotherapeutic counseling, as well as efforts to remove barriers to studying. Parent-child rooms at the Alt-Saarbrücken and Rotenbühl campuses, partnerships with the Hohenzollern daycare center in Alt-Saarbrücken, and children’s vacation programs help make everyday university life family-friendly.
The htw saar also sets clear priorities in the areas of internal qualification (iQ) and lifelong learning: This includes the widely used iQ continuing education program with thematic workshops and the “WissenKompakt” format, through which departments present their services. These initiatives strengthen the professional and personal development of staff members. International Weeks and job shadowing complement this offering by providing insights from other university cultures, expanding the intercultural competencies of university members, and fostering a global understanding of sustainable development. Additionally, the StudiumPlus program offers students the opportunity to more closely integrate theory and practice and to specifically develop competencies through additional, extracurricular, and interdisciplinary learning modules.
The following key thematic areas, which are particularly influential in shaping our understanding of social sustainability, are presented in more detail below: equal opportunity and diversity, student engagement, internationalization, and health and well-being. While all offerings are initially designed as services for university members, they also have a far-reaching impact on society through graduates and partnerships with other companies and institutions.
