Tuesday, July 7,2026 – afternoon
Pre-Conference Events
14:00-18:00 Registration is open
Check-in and register at the information desk
STW Schleswig-Holstein
Mensa I am Westring
1st Floor
Westring 385, 24118 Kiel
16:00 - 18:00 Briefings for speakers and moderators
Join our Speaker Briefing Session to connect with fellow speakers and prepare for your workshop. This informal session provides an opportunity to ask questions about your session, meet other speakers, discuss moderation and facilitation, and clarify any technical or logistical details. We look forward to supporting you in delivering a successful and engaging workshop experience.
Where: information desk
STW Schleswig-Holstein
Mensa I am Westring
1st Floor
Westring 385, 24118 Kiel
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Conference Day 1
From 8:00 Registration is open
Check-in and register at the information desk
STW Schleswig-Holstein
Mensa I am Westring
1st Floor
Westring 385, 24118 Kiel
09:00 - 09:30 Orientation session
EN-FR-DE
„Finding Your Way Around Student Affairs in Europe“ – Welcome and short introduction to ESAC and to the “three worlds” of student services in Europe by Sven Engel, Director of International Relations (DSW)
09:30 - 10:00 Morning coffee
10:00 Welcome & Opening
EN-FR-DE
Welcome & Greetings:
- Matthias Anbuhl, Chairman of DSW
- Susann Schrader, Managing Director of STW Schleswig-Holstein
- Bénédicte Durand, President of Cnous (Online)
Moderators: Sven Engel and Stefan Grob, DSW
10:30 - 12:00 Student Services in Europe: towards a joint strategy?
EN-FR-DE
What about the social dimension of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)? Equal opportunities, accessibility and affordability of higher education as well as student well-being and student success are an important part of higher education in Europe – and strong student services are crucial to achieve these ambitions. Where can and should we joint forces? Do we need a joint strategy for student services in Europe?
Panel discussion with interaction with the audience:
- Prof Dr Sunniva Whittaker, Board Member of the European University Association and Rector of University of Agder
- Matthias Anbuhl, President of the European Council for Student Affairs
- Emmanuelle Dubrana, Deputy Director General of Cnous
- Arno Schrooyen, Vice-President of the European Students’ Union
Moderator: Stefan Grob, Cluster Lead Communication and International Relations, DSW
12:00 – 13:30 Lunch Break & World-Café Roundtables
Round-tables in a world-café format allow you to meet colleagues in the same student services field, to discuss current challenges in an informal way, and to find international partners for further exchange, study visits, and cooperation. Confirmed student services fields: Management & Leadership, Student Housing & Residence Halls, Mental Health and Well-Being, Digital Student Services, Sustainability in Student Services, Social Work & Social Counselling, International Student Support, Research in Student Affairs, French-German Cooperation (with support of the French-German Youth Office).
Take a break, enjoy hot and cold drinks and small snacks, or network with colleagues.
During all lunch breaks, participants will be served a variety of healthy and freshly prepared meals at the serving counters of the main university canteen, which will be in full operation. Separate reserved seating for conference attendees is available.
13:30 – 15:00 Parallel Sessions 1
Parallel Sessions 1
EN-FR-DE
EN
EN
EN
Student Housing
The EU Affordable Housing Plan aims to boost supply, mobilise investment, and bring about immediate support while working on reforms. At the same time, governments are spending billions on affordable housing. But how can we shape these initiatives, and how can we make sure that affordable student housing will be the result?
Matthias Anbuhl, DSW Chairman, Berlin, Germany
Sophie Roussel, General Director of Crous de Strasbourg, France
Dr Daniele Maoddi, Executive Board Member, ANDISU network, Italy
Jakob Mæland, President & Sjur Selsvik, Board member, Student Service Organisation in Agde, Norway
Student Well-Being & Mental Health
Research indicates that students’ living conditions have changed in the pandemic and the following insecurities in economics and geo-politics have aggravated a growing mental health crisis among students in higher education. How are the students doing today? What kind of support is needed?
Dr Kristina Hauschildt, DZHW Researcher
Dr Isaora Rivierez, French Observatory for Student Life (OVE)
International cooperation
International students are enriching European higher education in many dimensions, but need targeted and well-developed services.
Sebastian Parte, Social counsellor at STW Hamburg
Olha Vakhrina, Specialist at Poznan University of Technology
Dr Melanie Van Oort-Hall, Lecturer and Researcher at UCLL University of Applied Sciences
Digital Services
Student services in a digital world – Examples of practical, yet innovative use of digital tools, robotics and AI in student affairs and services
Magali Doyen, Project Manager for the Student Accomodation Information System, Digital Division of the Cnous
Alexander Schmitt, Master Chef & Lucas Woll, Deputy Head of Dining Services, STW Kaiserslautern
Deirdre Parker, Career Consultant, University College Cork
15:00 Coffee Break
Take a break, enjoy hot and cold drinks and small snacks, or network with colleagues
15:30 – 17:00 Parallel Session 2
Parallel Sessions 2
DE-FR
EN
EN
EN-DE
EN
International Cooperation
French-German cooperation has been a pillar for European exchanges – how can we capitalise on this foundation to further multilateral exchanges and institutional change?
Jérémy Rossignol, Head of the Universities Department at the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ-DFJW)
Doreen Steudte, Managing Director & Nicolas Müller, Director of Communication and International Relations, of STW Lower-Bavaria-Upper Palatinate (Regensburg)
Mathilde Jacq, Deputy Director at Eucor – The European Campus & Clara Lebigre, Project Manager at Crous de Strasbourg
Student Well-Being & Mental Health
Innovative examples in student counselling services, in prevention and in mental health support.
Samantha Werthen & Sofie Giets, LUCA School of Arts
Dr Lorraine Tansey, Programme Manager, Student Volunteer Ireland, Riona Hughes & Mary O’Toole, Societies Finance Officers, University of Galway & Laura Woods, Societies Officer, Munster Technological University
Lore De Keersmaecker, Psycho-educational trainer / workshop leader at Odisee College
Social Cohesion & Inclusion
The fight against harassment has developed many creative initiatives but could a pro-active approach be more effective? What initiatives have yielded positive impact? How can we use data to improve our policies? What are the responsibilities of institutions, student services, and students?
Sofie De Smet, Head of Department Student Affairs & Kaat De Vis, Policy Advisor Student Affairs, Free University Brussels
Lucas Poirrier, National Equality Officer, Cnous (Paris)
Digital Student Services
The digitalisation of higher education offers new opportunities for students, and digital services can improve student counselling. But how can we balance opportunities and risks?
Lea Hildermeier, Project Manager, Forum on Digitalisation in Higher Education (HFD) and Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE)
Dr Christian Dirk Wiesner, Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Kiel
Management & Leadership
Sustainability in student services operations is a key responsibility for the leadership level, and requires a strategic approach. How can we make sure that we save energy, protect the climate, and deliver efficient services?
Gabriel Soleil, Project Manager for Environmental Transition, Cnous & Antoine Bloquet, Crous de Reims
Clemens Metz, Managing Director of STW Freiburg
19:00 - 21:00 Evening Reception & Dinner with cultural programme
Dinner at Schwentine Mensa: 19:00-21:00
How to get there
Option 1: Ferry F2 (scenic route)
Travel time: approx. 50–60 min
Walk to Reventloubrücke ferry terminal (approx 30 minutes walk).
Take Ferry F2 (Schwentinelinie) towards Dietrichsdorf (approx. 10 minutes).
Get off at Dietrichsdorf (first stop).
Walk about 5 minutes to Schwentine Mensa (Grenzstraße 14).
We recommend taking the 18:23 ferry from Reventloubrücke. Participants interested in walking to the ferry together with DSW staff are welcome to join. Please meet in front of Mensa I at 17:30. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes.
F2 Ferry Information
Runs approximately every 30 minutes (weekdays)
Crossing time: approx. 10 minutes
Single ticket: €1.00
Bicycles travel free of charge
Option 2: Bus X60
Travel time: approx. 20–25 min
From Mensa I am Westring, walk to the Uni-Westring bus stop.
Take Bus X60 towards Fachhochschule / HAW Kiel.
Stay on the bus via Hauptbahnhof.
Get off at Grenzstraße or Schwentinestraße.
Walk 2–3 minutes to Schwentine Mensa (Grenzstraße 14).
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Conference Day 2
09:00 – 10:30 Parallel Sessions 3
Parallel Sessions 3
DE-FR
EN-DE
EN
EN
EN
International Cooperation
Innovative examples of international cooperation – How can challenges relating to organisation, financing and project cooperation be overcome?
Andreas Vögele, Director of International Relations, STW Freiburg-Black Forest & Clara Lebigre, Crous de Strasbourg
Jutta Berger, Deputy Managing Director, STW Ulm
Kamila Chlebnikow, Culture & International relations, STW Düsseldorf
Social Cohesion & Student Housing
Student residence halls are a key element of the social dimension of higher education – innovative examples of equity, access, and social inclusion in operations.
Prof Dr Christoph Holtwisch, Managing Director of STW Münster
Marc Bruant, General Director of Crous Aix-Marseille
Ole Grönniger, Social worker, STW Münster
Student Well-Being & Mental Health
Increasing demand for counselling services is fuelled by growing neurodiversity among students, and the rise of wide-spread challenges such as ADHD, procrastination, exam anxieties, depression, and others.
In this workshop, we will look at innovative examples of supporting student well-being and mental health, with a focus on two considerable challenges in counselling.
Christine Bartho, Psychological Psychotherapist at University Clinic for Psychotherapy at Christian Albrecht University in Kiel
Anne-Marie Desmet, Psychotherapist at Student Services of LUCA School of Arts
Social Cohesion & Inclusion
Student affairs can create strong student communities in many ways, on the local but also the global level to supporting student in their endeavours.
Tine Vanveerdeghem & Elena Beellaert, Student support staff members at Artevelde University of Applied Sciences
Mathilde Jean, Culture and International Relations Officer, Crous de Versailles
Victor Olivier, Erasmus Student Network
Management & Leadership
Innovative examples in student services management, professionalisation, and training
Joeri Van den Brande, Director Student Services at Erasmus College Brussels
Dr Birgit Schreiber, President of the International Association for Student Affairs and Sercices
Jérémie Dupont, Data analyst – Crous de Lille
10:30 – 11:30 Coffee & World-Café Round-Tables
Round-tables in a world-café format allow you to discover the particular student services system, current challenges and innovations in one European country or region, such as the STW in Germany, the Crous in France, the Agencies for the right to university study in Italy and more. At each table, a student services professional will be available for informal communication, networking and finding partners for international cooperation.
Discuss current issues in student services in Germany, France, Italy, Canada, the Czech Republic, Belgium (Flanders), Ireland, Portugal, Poland, Switzerland and the USA, and discover the French-German Youth Office (OFAJ) and the international networks European Council for Student Affairs (ECStA) and International Association for Student Affairs and Services (IASAS).
Take a break, enjoy hot and cold drinks and small snacks, or network with colleagues.
11:30 – 12:30 Parallel Sessions 4
Parallel Sessions 4
EN
EN-FR-DE
EN
EN
EN
Student Housing
Accessing affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges for internationally mobile students – innovative examples of breaking down barriers for mobility
Michael Postert, General Director of STW Karlsruhe & Andrea Baldin, EDUCatt Student Services (Milan)
Victor Olivier, Advocacy Officer, Erasmus Student Network
Student Well-Being & Mental Health
Student services cooperate with other key actors in higher education and society to deliver efficient and comprehensive services for students. How can we manage these networks?
Severine Deliessche, Deputy Director at Crous de Lille
Bart Sahuc, Student Services, UCLL University of Applied Sciences
Social Cohesion & Inclusion
Effective student services rely on a good cooperation and mutual support among students, academics and staff – innovative examples of coherence services
Daniel Caldwell, Student Services Director at Atlantic Technological university (Mayo, Ireland)
Prof Dr Witold Pawlowski, Vice-Rector for Student Services, Lodz University of Technology
Student Well-Being & Mental Health
Innovative example of counselling and group training for students in an evidence-based comprehensive approach.
Katharina Böcker, Psychologist, STW Schleswig Holstein
Management & Leadership
Students are already using generative artificial intelligence, but how can we develop an institutional strategy that implements a coherent, ethical, and equitable practice model for student success and the preservation of human thinking?
Kelly Heather, Executive Director of Student Life Programs and Services, University of Toronto
Interactive workshop with practical elements for participants
12:30 Setting the course to new horizons – Interactive Conclusions
EN-FR-DE
Where do we go from here? Online live-feedback with interaction from the podium:
- Matthias Anbuhl, ECStA President and DSW Chairman
- Franziska Sophia Knogler, Vice-president elect, European Students’ Union
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break
During all lunch breaks, participants will be served a variety of healthy and freshly prepared meals at the serving counters of the main university canteen, which will be in full operation. Separate reserved seating for conference attendees is available.
14:00-16:15 Campus Tour: Student Services on the University of Kiel campus
Visit of student services facilities of STW Schleswig-Holstein on a typical large public university campus, with professional exchanges on challenges and innovations in Residence Halls, Dining Halls, Counselling Services, Child-care and more
Campus Tour 1: Dining services and cafeterias: Sustainable dining hall tour (including small tasting)
with Kristin Dahl and Marco Eckstedt, STW Schleswig-Holstein
On this tour, you will take a look behind the scenes at the largest dining hall, the Mensa (from the Latin word for table), proudly operated by STW Schleswig-Holstein, which serves around 300,000 meals a year. During the tour, you can visit the commercial kitchen, gain an insight into menu and promotional planning, and learn more from our colleagues about the sustainability measures being implemented in this area.
Group „green“
Start: 2.15 pm – Meeting point: in the Mensa Hall in front of the Mensa Counter, Mensa I
End: approx. 3.30 pm, Mensa I
The tour will be conducted in German and translated into French.
Campus Tour 2: Student Residence Halls: Presentation of the student village and the Max-Kade-Haus
with Jörg Maiwald and Christian Ernst, STW Schleswig-Holstein
Our team from Facility Management & Construction will guide you through two student halls of residence located directly on the campus of Kiel University. The Studentendorf provides a home for around 240 residents, whilst the Max-Kade-Haus offers around 140 places. During the tour, you will learn more about the regulations governing student accommodation construction in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, as well as current projects and challenges. Our colleagues will also discuss sustainability in housing construction.
Group „orange„
Start: 2.15 pm – Meeting point: in front of the cafeteria on the right at the bicycle racks, Mensa I
End: approx. 4.05 pm, Mensa I
The tour will be conducted in German and translated into English.
Please note that this tour involves walking short distances between the main building and the halls of residence.
Campus Tour 3: Psychological and Social Counselling & Family Services
with Diana Treiber and Daniela Evers, STW Schleswig-Holstein
Join this tour to get to know our Psychological and Social Counselling & Family Services department. You will have the opportunity to visit a child-care facility on campus and learn more about the department’s work. You will also visit Mensa II, where the Kiel Counselling Centre is located. Colleagues from Student Life Counselling and Psychological Counselling will talk about the issues they deal with and the services they provide for students.
Group „purple„
Start: 2:10 pm – Meeting point: in front of the cafeteria on the left by the outdoor tables / Mensa I
End: approx. 4.10 pm, Mensa I
The tour will be conducted in English only.
*Please note that this tour involves walking short distances between the main building, the Counselling Centre and the daycare center.
16:30 End of Conference
No further information.
Friday, July 10, 2026
Visit of Student Services in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg
The Campus Tour to Hamburg is an engaging post-conference event with in-depth experiences in student services, student housing and social life in residence halls. Participants will find it convenient to visit Hamburg on the way home, or to extend their stay for a weekend in Germany’s biggest harbour city. Participation in the tour requires specific registration in the online form and comes at additional costs.
More details here.
08:00 - Transfer to the Hanseatic city of Hamburg
Coach transfer from the B&B HOTEL Kiel-Wissenschaftspark in Kiel to the STW Hamburg, baggage drop-off, welcome and introductions
09:30-16:00 - Visit of student service facilities of STW Hamburg
- Welcome and introduction on the student services provided by STW Hamburg
- Campus Tour of Hamburg: University Campus with visit to STW dining halls, cafeterias, and central services
- Innovative and well-established student housing in Hamburg: visit of the „Tide“ and „Helmut Schmidt“ residence halls
exchange with student tutors in residence halls
16:00 End of tour
Departure or continue your individual stay in Hamburg