Topic 2027: Building the Future

• How can we transform sustainable facility and real estate development into a catalyst for innovation and positive change at a next-generation university?

• What innovative renewable energy solutions can drive the transition towards hydrogen-based systems and support a sustainable energy future?

• How can we co-create future-focused strategies that address real-world challenges in sustainability, energy management, and community development?

This year's WinterSchool offers you the chance to tackle one of two inspiring projects, each focused on creating impactful solutions for a sustainable future.

In Project A, you will engage with real-world facility and real estate management challenges. You will develop innovative concepts for campus expansion that integrate sustainable principles and explore how modern facility management contributes to creating inspiring learning environments. This project includes participation in the EuroFM and FMplus Conference 2027, held at our university, where you will gain insights from leading experts and establish valuable international networks.

Project B invites you to explore renewable energy solutions with a specific focus on hydrogen technology. Working within the framework of the ERASMUS+ Project H2CoVE – Hydrogen Centers of Vocational Excellence, you will develop future-ready ideas for implementing renewable energy systems in the energy sector. This project challenges you to think creatively about how hydrogen and other sustainable energy sources can transform our energy landscape.

What if your ideas could drive real change?

This project is your chance to immerse yourself in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) – an approach that goes beyond traditional learning to empower you to act as a change-maker for a better world.

ESD equips you with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to tackle some of the world's biggest challenges. By addressing the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability, ESD helps you think critically, collaborate effectively, and create solutions that have a lasting impact.

In this project, you will:

• Explore real-world challenges: How can universities operate sustainably? How can facility and real estate management support sustainable campus development? What role can renewable energy solutions play in transforming the energy sector?

• Work hands-on: Develop innovative concepts that combine sustainability, technical expertise, and practical implementation.

• Be inspired: Discover how your actions can drive meaningful change, creating solutions that blend sustainability, creativity, and real-world impact.

This project aligns closely with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), making your work part of a global effort to create a better future.

Through SDG #4 (Quality Education), you will engage in transformative learning experiences that empower you to lead and innovate. SDG #7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) guides your work on renewable energy solutions, ensuring sustainable energy access for all. SDG #9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) encourages you to develop innovative technical solutions and sustainable infrastructure. SDG #11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) connects to facility management and campus design, fostering inclusive and resilient communities. SDG #12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) supports your exploration of sustainable campus operations and circular economy principles. Finally, SDG #13 (Climate Action) underpins both projects, empowering you to develop strategies that address climate change through mitigation and adaptation.

Together, these goals provide the foundation for your work, connecting local action with global impact.

This is your opportunity to shape a forward-thinking future and contribute to a greener, more inclusive world. Together with peers from around the world, you will not only learn but also create actionable solutions that reflect the core of ESD: turning knowledge into impact.

Are you ready to lead, create, and inspire? Let's make sustainability a reality – together.

Join us this winter in the alpine region of Kufstein

The alpine region serves as the backdrop for our WinterSchool, a place known for its balance between urban development and environmental sustainability.

During this WinterSchool, you will work together in inter- and intra-disciplinary teams for a week. Real-world examples of sustainability, energy management, and facility development will be presented in the alpine setting of Kufstein. The WinterSchool offers the opportunity to explore these areas in depth and make international contacts. With online research components prior to participation and a post-week summary, this programme offers a comprehensive blend of virtual and on-site learning experiences.

The workload can vary individually. When participating in all tasks, the workload corresponds to 150 hours. This includes approximately 50 hours for the block week, 50 hours for preparatory online research, and an additional 50 hours on average for follow-up activities. Upon successful completion of all components, you will be issued a certificate of attendance.

Time Schedule

Intradisciplinary project & international expertise

During the WinterSchool, a wide range of topics is covered, including sustainability and energy management, real estate management, financing and investment, and technical and social aspects. With more than 200 students from international partner universities, you will work for a week in small groups on a project task. Experts and coaches support you in learning about new ideas and approaches, researching, analyzing, sharing experiences, learning from each other, and expanding your skills. You will present your ideas in interim presentations and receive feedback on them. At the end, you will present a sustainable concept in front of a jury that will evaluate the project and provide feedback.

Be part of the award-winning WinterSchool

In 2014, our WinterSchool was awarded the Austrian Sustainability Award for the structural anchoring of the project. The award was given by the Ministry of Life and the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy. In 2014, the Austrian UNESCO Commission awarded the WinterSchool for sustainable education as an Austrian UN Decade Project. In 2018, our WinterSchool received again the Austrian Sustainability Award as an award in the field of sustainable cooperation from the Federal Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism and the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.

Sustainable education

Your participation in the Winterschool is free of charge. At the same time you commit yourself with your registration to the obligatory participation. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration so that we can adjust the group allocation. Please organize your journey and accommodation in Kufstein independently and at your own expense in time. The cheap guesthouses are booked up very quickly. Kufstein and the University of Applied Sciences are very easy to reach by train. So please travel as ecologically as possible. In Kufstein you have many possibilities to get food: in the cafeteria of the university, many restaurants and snack bars around and of course we have a microwave to heat up your own food during the daily lunch break.

Essential working material

The tasks are to be created digitally. Please bring an internet enabled device (laptop or tablet) with the ability to edit presentations, share data via MS Teams, and communicate. Also have a headest with you! Warm clothes and waterproof and snowproof shoes are important, even though we don't know what the weather will be like today. We will spend some time together outdoors and on excursions. Please budget for some spending money as well. We are planning evening events together to get to know each other and socialize.

Module Description

Kufstein - great place in the alpine region whre eyou

Kufstein is surrounded by high mountains with a breath-taking panorama. The contrast between the historic old town, the fortress and the nearby mountains strongly contribute to the atmosphere and attraction of Kufstein. Thus the city’s nickname is “The Pearl of the Tyrol”. Kufstein and our Fachhochschule Kufstein Tirol - University of Applied Sciences welcomes you for the WinterSchool. 47.58396 / 12.17332 Fachhochschule Kufstein Tirol, Austria

Kufstein & our University is very well connected - take advantage of a sustainable arrival

In the context of sustainability, we look forward to your support and ask you to use environmentally friendly public transportation - the train station is a 5-10 minute walk away and is also fully barrier-free. Overall, the sustainable journey to the WinterSchool in Kufstein by public transport offers an excellent opportunity to take part in the WinterSchool.

Getting to the WinterSchool by public transport is very easy:

• Munich or Rosenheim: there is a regular train connection every hour between shortly before 5:00 a.m. and midnight.
• Salzburg and Vienna: are also well connected with the Westbahn, RailJet or BRB local transport.
• Innsbruck: You have up to two train connections per hour, where trains run from shortly before 5 a.m. until after midnight.
• Zurich: You also have regular, fast train connections via Innsbruck
• interantional connections: You can easily get to Kufstein by train from Munich, Salzburg, Vienna and Innsbruck airports. If you have any questions about your travel route, please contact us. We support your sustainable journey!

Direct links to public transportation services:

• ÖBB - Austrian Railways
• DB - German Railways
• MVV - Munich Transport Network : including the bus and train connections from Munich central station, Munich Airport MUC and Rosenheim up to Kufstein (last German train station)
• City Bus Kufstein

If public transportation is not possible due to the connection to your starting point, form carpools and carpooling options!

WinterSchool is an accessible event

• All relevant areas of the WinterSchool are barrier-free.
• There will be sufficient spaces available for wheelchair users and their companions.
• An orientation system for blind and visually impaired people leads from important points in the city of Kufstein to our university. Our university buildings are equipped with a tactile guidance system including university lecture hall signage.
• Portable induction loop system with microphone and headphones are available at our Infopoint in the main entrance.

Further information can be found on the university's homepage

Have questions about the Winter School? We are here for you!

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How to Connect

For any inquiries regarding registration, the program or other questions, please feel free to contact us using the contact details below:

Contact: Asc. Prof. (FH) Dipl.-Ing. Christian Huber [he/his #CallMeByMyFirstName]
Email: christian.huber@hok.ac.at
Phone: +43 5372 71819 0
Address: Andreas Hofer-Strasse 7, 6330 Kufstein, Austria

We're here to assist you and provide you with the information you need to make the most of your Winter School experience. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us - we look forward to hearing from you!