With its part-time, English-language MBA online courses International Business Management (IBM) and Logistics - International Management & Consulting (LIMC), the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society - in cooperation with the Graduate School Rhein-Neckar (GSRN) and the Center for Distance Learning in the University Network(zfh) - is consistently focusing on practical, internationally oriented management training.
Another component of this internationalization strategy was the network trip / study trip to Vietnam in November. It expands the existing network of international partner countries - including Finland, Morocco, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina - to include an economically dynamic region in Southeast Asia.
Implementation made possible thanks to the commitment of two #GSRNAmbassadors
The trip was made possible thanks to the commitment of two program members: IBM alumna Truc Quynh Dang and Jürgen Weber, currently a student at LIMC. Both have close personal contacts to Vietnamese institutions and companies; a successful example of how fruitful the exchange between university, practice and the alumni network can be. The aim of the study trip was not only to impart intercultural skills to students and alumni of the German and English-language distance learning courses, but also to give them an insight into international business practices and networking in an emerging market such as Vietnam. Truc Quynh Dang was accompanied by Prof. Dr. Andreas Gissel, head of the MBA IBM program, and Eva Nefen, responsible program manager at GSRN.
During their stay, which lasted several days, the participants gained comprehensive insights into the academic and business environment of Ho Chi Minh City. The program included talks with students and professors from various universities. These included the University of Transport HCMC (UTH), the International University - VNU HCMC and the HCMC University of Technology and Education. Of course, there were also visits to representatives of the local economy. Stops included the Siemens energy power plant, Clevermann EU and Deutsches Haus HCMC.
Ho Chi Minh City - a blend of tradition and modernity
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is considered the economic heart of Vietnam with a population of around 9.46 million. The metropolis impresses with its dynamism, entrepreneurial spirit and cultural diversity. By visiting numerous cultural sights, the participants experienced the characteristic mix of tradition and modernity as well as the visible shift towards digitalization and innovation.
The trip not only offered the opportunity to build business networks in Southeast Asia and deepen intercultural skills in an international context. It also provided important impulses for entrepreneurial thinking and laid the foundation for sustainable cooperation with players from business and science in Vietnam.
Many thanks first and foremost to Truc Quynh Dang and Jürgen Weber and all those involved in Vietnam. We would also like to thank the participants in our networking trip for their interest and the trust they have placed in us.
Feedback from our participant Jonas: "The networking trip was a complete success! I spontaneously decided to take part and gained an incredible number of valuable impressions within just one week. The academic exchange and the inspiring company visits in particular rounded off the trip perfectly. Thanks to the ideal group size, I was also able to make lots of new contacts. An experience that I would repeat at any time!"
