This exchange program will give you the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary and multi-cultural teams with students from all over the world. You will use creative and innovative methods to develop creative business solutions and grow in your role as a leader. You are invited to work in teams on a real life assignment for an International Watersport company called Jobe. For this company, you will work on creating a feasible export plan with a supporting (profitable) business case.

Creating Sustainable Business Solutions has been designed for students who wish to promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in their personal and professional lives. The exchange program is primarily based on (virtual) e-learning with 2 weeks face to face sessions with students and teachers in Finland (Vaasa) and the Netherlands (‘s-Hertogenbosch). In these 2 weeks workshops and lectures will provided by the Finnish and Dutch lecturers. Also some guest lectures will be provided.

By the end of the Creating Sustainable Business Solutions programme, you will:

• have learned how to work in a virtual team and manage a project in a multinational environment
• understand the pivotal role that Corporate Social Responsibility can play in a modern business, particularly as an opportunity for the company to influence environmental and ethical issues
• be able to describe the peculiarities of doing international business and know which skills are needed in order to succeed in international environments

• be able to advise the management team of a multinational company regarding legal issues if that company is considering expanding (some of) its business activities abroad

• know the key financial aspects and indicators when doing business internationally

• know how to select the most attractive country to export to, using an extensive (external) analysis

• have developed a clear view on you leadership skills and potential to engage people in your (business) environment

• understand the institutional and intercultural context of an international company and how that affects international HR policy and HR practices

Admission requirements:

This programme is suitable for students with a business background. Students must be comfortable working in an all-English environment and they must be proficient in the language.

Admission is open to students in their  third and final year of a Bachelor’s study programme.

English language requirements:

You require a statement from your university confirming that you have followed a full-time English study program for 2 years or that your level of English is equal to an IELTS score of 6.0. This equals Cambridge B2 level. For motivated students with an IELTS score lower than 6.0 an interview may be part of the admission procedure. For detailed information, please read the English Language Requirements page.

Please note that enrolment for this program will depend on availability and will be assessed by the Avans minor coordinator.

Schedule:

In this minor you will primarily cooperate with your fellow students virtually while you work on an assignment related to the topics that are mentioned below. You will also be required to complete a number of these e-learning modules.

The minor will begin in early February 2024. Around March, all students and lecturers will go to the University of Applied Science in Vaasa, Finland. In April, the same group will visit Avans University of Applies Sciences in 's Hertogenbosch.

This 30 ECTS program is primarily project based. Students receive a real-life business assignment regarding the international operating company Jobe Watersports. We do our best to create project teams that comprise students from different multi-cultural backgrounds in order to broaden their perspectives. Each project team is assigned a dedicated, experienced lecturer from one of the two participating universities. Students are also encouraged to complete a number of interesting modules (listed below) as part of this minor.

Module (ECTS)

Project Assignment (incl coaching) 8

Cross Cultural Management 5

Corporate Social Responsibility 6

Business Law 2

Business Economics 2

Effective Leadership 1

International Business/Marketing and country analysis 4

International Human Resource Management 2

Assessment:

Creating Sustainable Business Solutions challenges you to develop your own perspective on international business and Sustainable Development Goals. This programm uses a variety of modes of assessments; exams with open and closed questions, writing papers and advisory reports, and giving a presentation to the stakeholder(s) of the assignment.

At the end of the programm, you, your peers, and coaches will also give you feedback on your strengths and areas in which you can develop further.

Student Profile:

• Good social and teamworking skills;
• Analytical power;
• Experience with projects and team assignments;
• Drive , curious and ambitious;
• Open for personal reflection;
• Diplomatic skills, empathy and a customer oriented attitude;
• Flexible and having good  time-management skills

Job market prospects:

What positions can you end up in with the competencies gained?

In this minor you will work both on your individual assignments as well as on your group assignment.  You will be exposed to the most recent information about the most important business disciplines and you will be strengthening your consultancy skills.  Furthermore you will gain insight in your own teamworking skills working on a real assignment in a multicultural team of students

Successful completion of the Creating Sustainable Business Solutions programme opens up a variety of opportunities. It qualifies you for a range of leadership positions in the 21st-century economy, such as Chief Sustainability Officer.

This programme is also suitable for students who want to become a general manager who is able to steer and implement Sustainable Development Goals within an organisation. The unique approach to teaching and learning used in this programme allows you to develop the skills needed for any position in which you are expected to contribute to this important theme.

For any questions please send an email to minoren.AMBF@avans.nl

Note: Avans course linked to this minor module is: Business Administration (Bedrijfskunde)