Around 6,000 visitors availed of the opportunity to experience science with all their senses when they attended Hochschule Geisenheim University's Open Campus weekend on September 7 - 8, 2019. More than 100 exhibits, guided tours and hands-on activities made studying and researching at the Rheingau-based state university a real sensory experience. On the Study Info Day, which was held in parallel, around 400 guests were provided with in-depth information on the University's Bachelor Degree programs in Horticulture, Beverage Technology, International Wine Business, Landscape Archictecture, Food Safety, Food Chain Management, Viticulture and Enology.
The main theme of the Open Campus weekend was "Climate, Sustainability, Digitization and Enjoyment: How we are Shaping the Future" and provided visitors with a look behind the scenes at Hochschule Geisenheim University. The program of events ranged from tasting the wine produced by the University's Grapevine Breeding Department and Winery as well as musts, juices, tomatoes and herbs to presentations and demonstrations of the latest technology and robotics used in viticulture and horticulture.
While the weather could have been better, it did not prevent visitors from exploring other attractions including a market selling luxury items and wide-ranging advice on proper soil management and landscape gardening, the irrigation of domestic gardens, sustainable gardening and plant protection. The University was supported in this regard by experts from Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen Gartenbauzentrum Geisenheim (horticultural center run by the state of Hesse's Agricultural Association).
The ceremonial highlight of the 2019 Open Campus were celebrations to mark the 125th anniversary of the foundation of VEG - Hochschule Geisenheim University's Alumni Association. Several speeches at the official ceremony held on Sunday underscored the high regard in which the association of former Geisenheimer students is held. Speeches were given by Professor Hans Reiner Schultz, President of Hochschule Geisenheim University, Petra Müller-Klepper, member of Hesse's federal state parliament, Christian Assmann, Mayor of Geisenheim and Dr. Franz Josef Jung, former German federal minister and Chair of Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Hochschule Geisenheim (the association promoting the university), as well as many representatives of associated partner associations.
In this distinguished setting, Hochschule Geisenheim University and VEG – Geisenheim Alumni Association e. V. also awarded the 2019 Professor Müller-Thurgau Prize to Professor Ernst-Heinrich Rühl, former head of the Grapevine Breeding Department at Hochschule Geisenheim University. The Professor Müller-Thurgau Prize is awarded to individuals who have shown many years of extraordinary dedication to maintaining and promoting research and teaching as well as to issues concerning the student body at Geisenheim.
