Corporate Social Responsibility
Best Paper Award
Every two years, the VDI Wissensforum GmbH awards three young engineers a prize in the total amount of 10,000 Euros at the ELIV (Electronics in Vehicles). The prize is awarded to engineers younger than 35 years for outstanding contributions.
Charging Station for electric Vehicles at the VDI Branch in Stuttgart
On the so called Day of Technology, and the 40th anniversary of the VDI branch in Stuttgart on 13th June 2015, Uwe Michael, Program Committee Chairman of ELIV (Electronics in Vehicles) from Porsche and Dr. Wolfgang Frech from the VDI Wissensforum GmbH opened a charging station for electric vehicles at the VDI branch in Stuttgart. On behalf of the conference, ELIV supported the VDI Wissensforum GmbH with a donation for the construction of the charging station. It is now available to seminar participants at the VDI branch and the public in Stuttgart urban district of Vaihingen.
Support of the Earthquake ‘Victims in Nepal
In the earthquake in Nepal in late April 2015, 8,000 people lost their lives and more than 17,800 people were injured. Millions of people were in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The need for tents, blankets, food, clothing and hygiene kits was enormous.
For this reason, the VDI Wissensforum GmbH decided to donate 2,000 Euros through Aktion Deutschland Hilft, Germany's Relief Coalition. "We want to contribute our part with this donation," explains Timo Taubitz, CEO of the VDI Wissensforum GmbH, "and hope to be able to support the people of Nepal in this way."
Conserving Resources
Conserving resources and using them more efficiently are central topics of many VDI Wissensforum GmbH events. The entire booklet printing since August 2013 is only done on FSC certified recycled paper. Ecological awareness is clearly visible in on all the brochures - which are labelled with 'FSC Recycled' and the 'Blue Angel'. The label of the non-profit organization Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) guarantees that the paper used in the printing consists entirely of recycled materials. The additional 'Blue Angel' on the program publications also covers the sustainability of the entire production process. It stands for an environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically sustainable use of the resource wood.
VDI Wissensforum GmbH was able to save more than 650 spruces within half a year with the conversion of wood for paper production. Since October 2013 Timo Taubitz has supported the initiative CEOs Pro Recyclingpapier as Managing Director of the VDI Wissensforum GmbH under the auspices of Dr. Barbara Hendricks, the German Federal Minister of the Environment. The utensils available at the events such as notepads and pens have been adapted for production with recyclable materials.
VDI ELEVATE!
With the program VDI ELEVATE!, the VDI promotes students of engineering and natural science. In cooperation with industry partners, the VDI accompanies them until they begin their careers. The participants of the funding programs receive, among other things, training in software and management skills,contacts as well as internships and thesis work in the partner companies. The VDI Wissensforum GmbH annually donates a training voucher for the participating young engineers, which the participants can then redeem in the portfolio of the VDI Wissensforum.