CBS International Business School, 18 March 2022

Flooding relief in the Ahr Valley of Germany: CBS takes on social responsibility

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Cologne, 18.03.22 / 40 tables for the primary school in Swisttal-Heimerzheim, which was completely destroyed by the flood, another 30 for the vocational college in Euskirchen, which was also badly affected: How seriously CBS International Business School takes its social mission is once again demonstrated by the fundraising campaigns in favor of educational institutions in the Ahr valley, which were affected by the flood disaster last summer.

"As a university, we play an essential role in society and thus also bear a great social responsibility," says CBS Managing Director Prof. Dr. Christoph Willers. "And we want to live up to this." Being present during the acute rescue from the masses of water was therefore just as natural as subsequent relief operations. Supported by his team, Willers personally brought the tables to the Swistbach School for handover.

Immediately after the disaster, the university had already given its employees three days off to help with the clean-up work. The management itself also lent a hand on site. A few months later, the CBS ordered "flood wine" produced on the Ahr as a Christmas present for its employees, thus helping to save the livelihoods of local winegrowers. Because the grapes from the higher-lying steep slopes were the only capital left to many wine producers in the region - in a single night, the flood had destroyed more than 40 hectares of vineyards.

Helping hands and an open ear on site

It was also a matter of course for Julia Krumbiegel, management consultant at CBS, to lend a helping hand after the night of the catastrophe. One day, she helped a family to clear the cellar and courtyard of mud, rubble, and bulky waste. On other days, she helped a restaurant serve donated food to the flood victims and helpers, and collected PET bottles and broken glass scattered far and wide by the masses of water for a beverage shop.

"Especially because I am from the area myself, at first I was just happy that it didn't hit us," she says looking back. "I can't even imagine what it's like to lose everything - your home, your professional livelihood, or even family members or neighbors." On the other hand, she says, it was a touching experience to see how people formed chains and organised help together with complete strangers in a very pragmatic way so that a close bond was felt very quickly. "It was also very important that there was always an open ear for those affected, for example when food was distributed," she recalls. "And when you experience how grateful people are for every little thing, you realise very quickly that you will always help on site."

Social responsibility has a tradition

Thus, assuming social responsibility is also an ongoing and fixed part of the CBS agenda: Under the motto "Donate instead of giving presents", the university had already motivated friends and business partners in previous years to donate to selected initiatives that are committed to the future of disadvantaged children and young people instead of giving presents at Christmas. In addition, students, as well as employees, were activated to collect donations in kind for the aid organisations, such as gifts for children or laptops for needy pupils.

And of course, this tradition will continue: After the most recent Christmas gift met with a positive response from the employees, "we are sure that there will be a larger charity campaign for those in need of help this year as well," the management announces.

About the CBS International Business School

CBS International Business School is an internationally oriented private business school located in Cologne, Mainz, Potsdam, Aachen, Solingen, Brühl & Neuss. It specializes in business administration degree programs according to international standards. Today, it offers its approximately 4,000 students from 75 nations Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, most of which are taught in English, with numerous specializations as well as MBA programmes.

All study programs are regularly accredited by FIBAA and the German Council of Science and Humanities. Since 2018, it is the only university in Germany to hold the international accreditation of the IACBE. In the ranking of the magazine "WirtschaftsWoche" (WiWo Ranking 2021), CBS International Business School was voted the best private university of applied sciences in the field of business administration in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate for the third time in a row.

CBS International Business School has been part of the Stuttgart-based Klett Group since 2016. The Klett Group is a leading education company in Europe and is represented internationally in 17 countries. Its product range includes classic and modern educational media for everyday school life as well as lesson preparation, specialist literature and fine literature. In addition, the Klett Group operates numerous educational institutions ranging from daycare centers and schools to correspondence schools, distance learning colleges and attendance universities. Further information can be found on the Internet at www.klett-gruppe.de

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CBS International Business School

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E-Mail: presse@cbs.de

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CBS International Business School

CBS International Business School is a state-recognised private university of applied sciences for business. We offer accredited Bachelor's, Master's and MBA degree programmes in German and English on a full-time or part-time basis. Throughout Germany, the university is represented at three locations in Cologne, Mainz, and Potsdam.

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Flooding relief in the Ahr Valley of Germany: CBS takes on social responsibility

Helping hands and an open ear on site

Social responsibility has a tradition

About the CBS International Business School

CBS International Business School

Download a brochure & learn more about us

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