Fourteen students from the BUS 426 Strategic Management course of the MSc Business Administration study program visited TU Dresden, Germany, for the kick-off of an international course project activity on case study design arranged by the two institutions and funded by the European Commission. 

This 2-month project is organized in a hybrid way, 

• Kick-off and 1st workshop in Germany @ TU Dresden was held from April 03 to April 08, 2023 (EPOKA students were hosted for one week at TUD).
• Virtual collaboration in groups via MS Teams (asynchronously/virtually) from April 10 - June 02, 2023.
• Final workshop and Case Presentations in Albania @ EPOKA University from June 05 to June 09 (TUD students will be hosted for one week at EPOKA)

The goal of this project is to have students from different backgrounds come together with their distinctive competencies and Design and Solve a Business Case study on a specific topic related to the Albanian/German market/industry context, adaptable for Virtual Collaborative Learning modules.

EPOKA students are supervised by Dr. Esmir Demaj, lecturer of the Strategic Management course, and their engagement load and credits for this activity are to be earned and allocated for the said course.

The 1-week visit to TU Dresden was an unforgettable experience for our 14 students. They were part of an international team working on this exciting project that challenged their skills and expanded their knowledge. They collaborated with students from different study backgrounds and cultures, learning from each other's perspectives and approaches. The project was intellectually stimulating and helped them improve their teamwork and communication skills.

Apart from the project work, they had plenty of opportunities for fun and exploration. Dresden is a beautiful city with a rich history and cultural heritage. They had a guided tour of the city, visiting its famous landmarks such as the Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace, and Semperoper. They also explored the city's vibrant art scene, enjoyed local cuisine, and participated in various cultural events. As nature lovers, they went hiking in the nearby Bastei, Saxon Switzerland, which offered breathtaking countryside views.

As students state, "This week in TU Dresden was a fantastic way to broaden our horizons, make new friends, and gain valuable experience that will benefit us both personally and professionally. We worked on an exciting project with an international team, explored the city's cultural offerings, and enjoyed the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside. It was an adventure of a lifetime that we will always cherish".

We look forward to hosting TU Dresden students for one week at EPOKA during June 05-08, 2023, and going through the well-prepared Case Scenarios the groups will have to showcase.This project arrangement will continue for three years in the context of the inter-institutional Exchange Agreement funded by the European Commission.