As part of the “SMILE” student ideas competition, all students at Mainz University of Applied Sciences were invited to submit ideas for improving academic programs and teaching.
This year’s focus was on digital transformation and sustainability. Students could choose a topic and submit ideas with concrete proposals for solutions.
Out of a total of 11 submissions, 8 ideas advanced to the final round. The top three winners were selected by an interdisciplinary jury of students and faculty. An additional audience award was presented during the “LEHRimpuls” event on November 13, 2025, at LUX.
The following four ideas were awarded prize money:
1st Prize (1,000 euros)
Installation illustrating resource consumption when working with language models – Out of Sight 2
Anastasia Verena Wilbrandt | Department of Design
With her idea, Anastasia Verena Wilbrandt aims to draw attention to the resource consumption associated with the use of AI. Through a visual installation, she seeks to demonstrate how much water (as a metaphor for resources such as energy, raw materials, and data) is consumed with every AI query. The installation demonstrates that AI use has environmental consequences and encourages a more conscious approach.
2nd Prize (500 euros)
GreenCycle Mainz
Fatma Erkut | Department of Economics
Fatma Erkut proposes the development of an app called “GreenCycle Mainz” that combines physical activity, sustainability, and digitalization. Students collect digital GreenCoins for every kilometer they travel on foot, by bike, or by train. These coins can either be redeemed for discounts or automatically invested in sustainable university projects. The concept is to be funded by sponsors interested in health and environmental protection. The goal of the idea is to create a win-win situation in which students, the university, sponsors, and the environment all benefit equally, thereby creating a positive cycle in which sustainability and digitalization go hand in hand.
3rd Prize (250 euros)
Study Mate
Annika Sue Lutz, Andreas Kolb | Department of Economics
The idea proposed by Annika Sue Lutz and Andreas Kolb involves the development of an AI-powered chatbot called “Study Mate,” which helps students navigate university systems. The chatbot answers study-related questions across platforms and assists with processes such as course selection. Students can get involved even during the implementation phase and learn how to program and train AI.
Audience Award (200 euros)
Campus on the Move—Sustainability and Practical Application Through Smart Mobility
Antonia Garg, Charlotte Bickel, Chiara Lammnett, Tim Reisnegger, Silas Beeres | Department of Engineering
The idea “Campus in Motion—Sustainability and Practical Application Through Smart Mobility” won over the LEHRimpuls audience. The project proposal suggests setting up bicycle and e-scooter stations on campus, along with a digital points system that rewards sustainable behavior such as cycling or the use of reusable items. In addition, short, hands-on field trips are to be integrated into degree programs, which can be carried out in a climate-friendly manner thanks to smart mobility. In this way, the idea combines environmental responsibility, digitalization, and practical learning experiences.
We would like to thank all the students who participated, as well as the members of the jury:
Prof. Dr. Katharina Kluge – Department of Engineering
Prof. Dr. Jens Reinhardt – School of Business
Prof. Holger Reckter – Department of Design
Antuanetta Mishenko – School of Business, Student
Mia Appel – School of Engineering, Student
We congratulate all the winners.
SMILE stands for “Shaping Your Studies & Developing Innovative Solutions.” In this ideas competition, which is held every two years, students can submit ideas for the sustainable design of campus life and teaching at Mainz University of Applied Sciences. The goal of the competition is to involve students in the university’s further development through a participatory approach.
Numerous ideas from the competition have already been implemented by internal project partners in collaboration with the winners, including, among others, the co-working tables on the Campus site, an information fair on opportunities for student participation, and a student lending station for items used in everyday student life, which is currently under development.
