Research project
Global South Cooperation in the OST study programme
We integrate GSC in the study programme through different formats. Current opportunities include project work and an interdisciplinary one-week course. External partners are invited to provide their challenges to the students to develop applied and practice relevant solutions.
Project works
Students get the opportunity to implement their projects such as semester projects, bachelor or master thesis in the context of GSC together with external partners. The supervisors from OST establish the partnerships and framework for the project and supervise the student. The aim is to develop solution-oriented approaches with real impact in practice. By applying their knowledge in different (challenging) situations, students gain
Different scenarios include:
- Lab or desk study in Switzerland with interaction with partner in GSC during the semester
- Support for implementation of the solution onsite during semester break
- Full semester project combining onsite solution development and implementation.
Interdisciplinary one-week cours and project work on sustainable development in the Global South
This annual block course is addressed at all OST students of all degree programs. The course focuses on how to engage in GSC based on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the associated challenges around. Specific practice examples for basic services provisions are used to develop in mixed teams interdisciplinary solutions around water, wastewater, solar (energy), construction, health, education. Practice partners from GSC are invited to present their challenges at the beginning of the week.
Students prepare and present their solutions during the week to an expert panel for 2 ETCS. Additionally, they have the opportunity to further work on their projects in close collaboration with practice partners for additional 2 ETCS.
In addition a half-day excursion and various presentations are organized by OST lecturers and professors as well as external experts. The external guest speakers are actors with many years of experience in the context of the Global South.
The aim of this course is to provide students with a possible field of activity for their future careers. They will also be shown what concrete contribution they can make to a fairer and more sustainable world. At the same time, they are specifically prepared for assignments abroad with complex problems.
Students from the Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Social Work, Physiotherapy and Nursing degree programs are usually involved.
The next block week Know-how and technologies for sustainable development in the global south will take place in the week of September 9th to September 14th, 2025. The module is open to all OST students. Registration takes place between March 18th and April 1st, 2025 on Adunis. External partners are welcome to contact Dorothee Spuhler via email.
Duration: Since 2024 - ongoing
![[Translate to English:] Studierende präsentieren ihre Arbeit vor den OST-Dozierenden und externen Expertinnen und Experten.](/fileadmin/_processed_/1/9/csm_ikts_wissens-_und_technologietransfer_fuer_nachhaltige_entwicklung_im_globalen_sueden_studierendenarbeit_ca94b9a32c.jpg)
Funding:
OST – Ostschweizer Fachhochschule
Partner:
Team:
Dr. Dorothee Spuhler
UMTEC Institut für Umwelt- und VerfahrenstechnikProjektleiterin, Dozierende globale Zusammenarbeit, Wasser & Abwasser
+41 58 257 17 11dorothee.spuhler@ost.ch

Andreas Reber
SPF Institut für SolartechnikProjektleiter SPF, Dozierender
+41 58 257 48 18andreas.reber@ost.ch

Prof. Simone Stürwald
IBU Institut für Bau und UmweltProfessorin, IBU
+41 58 257 41 59simone.stuerwald@ost.ch

Prof. Dr. Stefan Kammhuber
IKIK Institut für Kommunikation und interkulturelle KompetenzLeiter IKIK
+41 58 257 45 53stefan.kammhuber@ost.ch

Prof. Andrea Cejka
ILF Institut für Landschaft und FreiraumProfessorin, ILF
+41 58 257 49 53andrea.cejka@ost.ch

Dr. sc. med. Eleonore Baum
IGW Institut für GesundheitswissenschaftenDozentin
+41 58 257 15 45eleonore.baum@ost.ch

Cornelia Moser-Stenström
WERZ Institut für Wissen, Energie und Rohstoffe, ZugTeamleiterin, Mitglied der Institutsleitung
+41 58 257 41 76cornelia.moser@ost.ch

Raimund Kemper
IFSAR Institut für Soziale Arbeit und RäumeDozent
+41 58 257 16 41raimund.kemper@ost.ch

Participating Institutes:
UMTEC Institut für Umwelt- und Verfahrenstechnik
SPF Institute for Solar Technology
IBU Institut für Bau und Umwelt
IKIK Institut für Kommunikation und interkulturelle Kompetenz
ILF Institut für Landschaft und Freiraum
IGW Institute for Health Sciences
WERZ Institut für Wissen, Energie und Rohstoffe, Zug