Step by step
This summer semester, our university is once again participating in the “Kiplin Challenge”, a joint step-counting competition organized by the partners of the European university alliance EU GREEN. Working together and competing against one another, members of universities from nine European countries aim to “collect” as many steps as possible in their daily lives. Faculty and students plan to stay active together while taking walks, commuting to campus, walking around campus, or running errands. The challenge starts on April 14, 2025. Steps will be counted until May 5, 2026.
Katrin Burgmann, scholarship advisor in the Relationship Management department, wasn’t just a participant. She also organized the challenge at OVGU and explains in an interview what motivated her to take part, how the challenge is organized, and which activities count toward the step total. You’ll be surprised.
What motivates you to participate in the step-counting challenge of the European university alliance EU GREEN at OVGU?
Honestly? Spring! Last year, I realized how good daily exercise is for me, especially during this season, and counting steps together is a great motivator. I’m much more conscious of incorporating outdoor activities into my daily work routine, moving meetings outside, and taking an extra walk through Nordpark after lunch. It feels good and also helps clear my head.
I am also involved as a staff member in Work Package 8 — Sustainable and Healthy Campus — of the EU GREEN Alliance, under which the kiplin Step Challenge is being held for the third time.
How is the Step Challenge organized?
All members of the OVGU — taff and students — are eligible to participate. The challenge runs for three weeks from April 14 to May 5, 2026. During this time, steps are counted daily using the kiplin app, which can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the App Store. Registration opens on March 23, 2026. The registration code is EUGREENKIP.
In the app, participants form teams of up to five people and track steps both individually and as a team. After the three weeks are up, the results will be tallied, and the winners can look forward to a small surprise. The award ceremony will take place again this year on June 1. We will then pass the baton to the ABC Challenge, which starts on that day.
What makes the step-counting challenge special? Do we really need an activity like this to motivate people to be more active?
I think so. We all know that physical activity is important, even in our daily work lives, and that outdoor activities in particular boost mental health. A certain amount of regularity can help us incorporate health - promoting routines into our daily lives. A walk after a meal, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, for example. The Step Count Challenge is designed to encourage people to be more active — as easily as possible and at any time.
On top of that, as a team, we motivate and cheer each other on. Anyone participating for the first time will be surprised by which activities rack up the most steps. Dancing is right at the top of the list.
Ms. Burgmann, thank you very much for the interview. And for anyone who’s now interested in joining in, click here to register.