This all-day creative initiative involves JKU students working on new corporate social responsibility (CSR) opportunities to help (OIC partner) companies meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Based on a course, "Management and Marketing", taught by Dr. Christiane Steinlechner, MA (regional manager of Teach For Austria, opens an external URL in a new window), the Student Plastics Challenge stems from a semester-long study of the topic from various perspectives. In addition to the legal parameters, students in the course discussed ESG criteria, SDG goals, greenwashing, and the plastic industry's recycling process.

Following input by Ammar Makic and Johannes Fellner (Plastic Garage, opens an external URL in a new window) on the subject of recycling plastics, students will be given a "hands-on" challenge to generate new approaches to solving specific corporate social responsibility issues. With the support of experts at the JKU, tech2b, opens an external URL in a new window and Sinnbilder, opens an external URL in a new window (graphic recording), the students will deliver their respective pitches. Following a keynote speech by Chris Thaller, opens an external URL in a new window, a high-profile selection panel of JKU and company representatives will select the most compelling pitch and present the winner(s) with a Thalia voucher.

In the spirit of a circular plastic economy, we would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to the LIT OIC community - and anyone else interested - to spend an evening with us on January 22, 2024 (beginning at 4:30 PM), and take part in inspiring discussions and engaging dialog.
 

Contact:

Dr. Christiane Steinlechner, MA
Regional Manager Teach for Austria
Baumbachstraße 21, 4020 Linz
christiane.steinlechner(at)teachforaustria.at

Valentina Schmelzer, MA
Partner Management LIT OIC Johannes Kepler University
Altenberger Straße 69, 4040 Linz
valentina.schmelzer(at)jku.at