The virtual components of the program were held on March 24 and 27, 2025. These sessions were designed to prepare students for the physical week. The first session introduced the international week and outlined the assessments to be prepared during the second online session. The results of these online sessions were presented during the physical week. The detailed program included an introduction to the international week, providing an overview of the week’s objectives and activities. There were presentations on cultural diversity, covering the university, region, people, and country. Students engaged in a case study, working in small international groups and culminating in a report and final presentation at the end of the week.
Expected learning outcomes included gaining an overview of the interrelationships between entrepreneurial activities and optimization possibilities in production and logistics processes. Students understood the influences of ERP systems and Business Intelligence and learned about topics such as Human-Centricity, Sustainability, and Resilience in Industry 5.0. They experienced advanced technologies like Exoskeletons and XR for enhancing workplace designs in Industry 4.0 and 5.0. Additionally, students learned to use project management principles to optimize company projects and processes, explored the latest trends in Artificial Intelligence, and gained hands-on experience with 3D printers and laser cutters. They also identified similarities and differences in international teams and learned to manage conflicts in intercultural settings.
During the carousel week, we welcomed 29 students from EU4Dual partner Savonia UAS (Finland), Jade UAS (Germany), the University of Economics in Bratislava (Slovak Republic), Vilnius TECH (Lithuania), and the University of Lorraine (France). Simultaneously, our bachelor students from the study year IWV23 participated in three different international weeks at Vilnius TECH in Lithuania and two campuses (Nancy and Epinal) at the University of Lorraine in France.
One of the most exciting aspects of the week was the intercultural exchange and the particularly friendly atmosphere. Workshops such as “Current Trends in Supply Chains” and the “Beer Game” were both engaging and educational for our engineers. Hands-on experiences with cutting-edge technology in the Smart Production Lab provided many “aha” moments and practical insights. The social program, including visits to Oberkapfenberg Castle and the city of Graz, perfectly complemented the technical sessions and offered numerous opportunities for networking and cultural exchange.
Organizing a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) offered numerous benefits to students, staff, and institutions. It allowed students who may not have been able to go abroad for a full semester to still gain international experience through short-term mobility and virtual collaboration. BIP brought together students and experts from different fields, teaching them how to solve problems and look for new perspectives.
Overall, the Carousel Week 2025 was an enriching experience, full of new impressions, stimulating discussions, and valuable connections. It was an excellent opportunity for students to broaden their horizons and gain practical insights into the latest trends in industrial engineering.
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