Tuesday, July 7,2026 – afternoon
Pre-Conference Events
14:00-18:00 Registration is open
Check-in and register at the information desk.
Contact us for briefings for speakers and moderators – hand in the latest version of your presentations, check any technical issues, and meet the other presenters in your workshop or panel – powered by DSW staff.
17:00-18:00 First-time attendees’ session
„Finding Your Way Around Student Affairs in Europe“ – Welcome and short introduction to the “three worlds” of student services in Europe by Sven Engel, Director of International Relations (DSW)
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Conference Day 1
09:00 Welcome & Opening “Why the North Matters”
Welcome & Greetings:
- Matthias Anbuhl, Chairman of DSW
- Susann Schrader, Managing Director of STW Schleswig-Holstein
- Bénédicte Durand, President of Cnous (Online)
Opening Key Note by Dr Dorit Stenke, Minister of Education, Science, Research and Culture of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein (CDU) – invited
10:30 - 12:00 Student Services in Europe: towards a joint strategy?
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 Cooperation, International Student Support, Research in Student Affairs, and more.
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
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
Sophie Roussel, General Director of Crous de Strasbourg
Dr Daniele Maoddi / Giuseppe Giuzio, ANDISU network
Jakob Mæland, President, Student Service Organisation in Agde (Kristiansand)
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 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
Christof Feith, Director 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
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 of STW Regensburg
Mathilde Jacq, Deputy Director at Eucor – The European Campus
N.N., Cultural Service of 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, Student Volunteer Irerland Programme Manager & Riona Hughes, University of Galway
Anne-Marie Desmet, LUCA School of Arts
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?
Marjoleine Breda, Social Affairs Officer, Flemish Inter-University Council
Lucas Poirrier, National Equality Officer, Cnous (Paris)
N.N., further speaker to be confirmed
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 Wiesner, Head of the Clinical Psychology Research Laboratory at 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
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Conference Day 2
09:00 – 10:30 Parallel Sessions 3
Parallel Sessions 3
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 & Crous de Strasbourg
Fabrice Pezziardi, General Director of Crous de Limoges
Kamila Chlebnikow, Leiterin Kultur, STW Düsseldorf & Crous de Nantes
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
Jean-François Maynier, Department for Quality of Student Life, French Ministry of Education and Research
Marc Bruant, General Director of Crous Aix-Marseille
Ole Grönniger, Social worker, STW Münster
Student Well-Being & Mental Health
Innovative examples of supporting student well-being and mental health in a joint approach of several stakeholders
N.N., Student Counselling, STW Schleswig-Holstein
Christine Bartho, Psychological Psycho-therapist at University Clinic for Psychotherapy at Christian Albrecht University in Kiel
Fiona Earley, Support Officer, Dublin City University
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, Student support staff member at Artevelde University of Applied Sciences
Mathilde Jean, Culture and International Relations Officer, Crous de Versailles
Tylor Schwaegler & Rachel Ni Dhugain, Global Community Support Manager, University College Dublin
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 Koenraad Keignaert & Thomas Marquenie, Head of Department, Student Affairs & Support at University of Antwerp
Dr Birgit Schreiber, President of the International Association for Student Affairs and Sercices
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, Norway, Belgium (Flanders), Ireland, Portugal, Poland, and discover 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
Presentations 4.3 - Building Supportive Communities
Workshop 4.4 - Evidence-based Counselling Services
Workshop 4.5 - Building AI Literacy in Student Services
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 & N.N., EDUCatt Student Services (Milan) (tbc)
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): Student-staff cooperation for well-being – examples of innovative projects
Prof Dr Witold Pawlowski, Vice-Rector for Student Services, Lodz University of Technology: Academic Support Zone as a response to the current challenges for LUT’s academic community
Student Well-Being & Mental Health
Innovative example of counselling and group training for students in an evidence-based comprehensive approach.
Catarina Newe, Psychological Psychotherapist, University Medical Centre Schleswig-Holstein: „ACT for Health“ – a model of group training for students
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: Beyond the bot – building AI literacy in student services at the University of Toronto
Interactive workshop with practical elements for participants
12:30 Setting the course to new horizons – Interactive Conclusions
Where do we go from here? Online live-feedback with interaction from the podium:
- Matthias Anbuhl, ECStA President and DSW Chairman
- Arno Schrooyen, Vice-President of the 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.
14:00-17:00 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
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.
Start: 2.15 pm, Mensa I / End: approx. 3.30 pm, Mensa I
The tour will be conducted in German and translated into English.
Campus Tour 2: Student Residence Halls
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.
Start: 2.15 pm, 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
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.
Start: 2.10 pm, Mensa I / End: approx. 4.10 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, the Counselling Centre and the nursery.
17:00 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.
08:00 - Transfer to the Hanseatic city of Hamburg
Coach transfer from the B&B Hotel lobby 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 Cultural programme (boat tour in the harbour or similar)
No further information.
18:00 End of tour
Departure or continue your individual stay in Hamburg