As part of the English-language MBA program International Business Management, a networking trip could finally take place again in June 2022. Eva Nefen, Director international MBA office of the Graduate School Rhein-Neckar organized together with the program manager Sophia Richter a trip to Scandinavia.
The first part of the trip was to Copenhagen, where the ISPIM Innovation Conference took place. The Junior Research Lab offers young scientists the chance to exchange ideas and set new impulses for research approaches. Workshops, thematic discussions and panel discussions offer exciting insights into the latest academic research results and are combined with practical case studies from industry. With their course director Prof. Dr. Andreas Gissel, the students had the opportunity to synchronize these impulses with their study content on site.
The group of students was expanded in the second part of the trip to include lecturers and alumni from the German and English-language continuing education programs. The partner university SAMK, Satakunta university of applied sciences, is located in Rauma, Finland. There, the delegation was welcomed by Marina Wikman, who, together with Eva Nefen, pushed for the double degree of the two universities last year. With an additional semester, students can earn a double degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. SAMK's study program is very diverse and includes a master's degree in Maritime Management for captains and marine engineers who want to deepen their management knowledge. At the Maritime Simulation Center, participants were able to sit at the wheel of the ship and simulate setting sail.
How the linking of theory and practice can be successfully lived became clear during the company tour of Kongsberg Maritime Finland Oy. Teppo Lundell, Senior Lecturer of Business Competence, encourages his students to develop their skills outside the classroom. A SAMK alumnus gave a tour of the impressive factory premises, where the latest technologies are developed to provide solutions and products for everything from the ship's core digital system to the propeller. So SAMK students will be employed is not just a marketing claim.
Kari Sallinen, the owner of Motoseal Components Oy and long-time business partner of Prof. Dr. Rainer Busch and Christian May, provided exciting insights into his family business. His Masi snow tools are the leading brand on the Scandinavian DIY market.
Finally, Daniela Tanhua, Head of Teaching, technology and maritime management, guided the group through the historic old town in Rauma, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for over thirty years.
Testimonials
Faouzi Ouled Belgacem:
"It was a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world, what made it special is the fact that it came after the COVID lockdown and related uncertainty. Students as well as teachers have had an equal passion to exchange ideas and information about different topics. It was a very rich experience where we got to know the culture, traditions, and habits of each other's.
The warm welcome by the SAMK team and the university as well as the city tour were of great value to all the participants. Thanks to the good organization, we were able to visit two medium sized companies, where we have met their senior management, got to know their field of applications, their solutions, and the challenges they are encountering whether routinely or due to the global events (pandemic, war) and the severe consequences it had on their respective businesses."
