An International Project Workshop took place at VAMK premises on 10-14 March 2014. The aim was to learn how to cooperate in an international team, how to combine international marketing and technology knowledge in teams and how to become aware of issues involved in international projects.
The workshop was planned and implemented as cooperation between Mechanical and Production Engineering and International Business study programs. The responsible organizers were Lotta Saarikoski, Head of Mec. Eng. Degree Program and Satu Lautamäki, Principal Lecture, IB Degree Program.
Students had the opportunity to listen to the international experts and company representatives sharing their experiences: General Manager Pauliina Palomäki from Wärtsilä Ship Power, Project Manager Petri Polvijärvi from Wärtsilä PowerPlants, Vice President Jan Tapanainen from Prima Power, Director Dolores Sanchez-Bengoa from Bengoa Consulting Ltd, Professor Hans-Rüdiger Kaufmann from Nicosia University in Cyprus and Principal Lecturer Adebayo Agbejule from VAMK. The main topics shared and discussed were: customer orientation, project models, the role of communication and leadership in international teams.
In addition, the students were divided into small teams, with two engineering students and two IB students in each team. Each team did a project plan to export and market a specific technical product to a foreign country, chosen by the team.
Students seemed to appreciate the workshop as they gave very positive feedback.
- Me and Lotta Saarikoski are very proud of our students working intensively for five days and making their project presentations on Friday, comments Satu Lautamäki.
In addition, cooperation with international guests was very fruitful.
- This was a pilot workshop, like never done before. We can only recommend it as an experience! Hopefully we can organize a shared European workshop in the future, says Lotta Saarikoski.
International experts and company representatives were giving lectures. Jan Tapanainen, Vice President of Prima Power, told about entering the Indian markets.
Teams prepared a project plan and marketing materials, which were presented in the end of the workshop.
Students gave positive feedback for the workshop. There were 12 mechanical engineering students and 12 IB students attending the workshop.
According to the international guest speakers Hans-Rüdiger Kaufmann and Dolores Sanchez-Bengoa, the workshop was successful and based on an innovative concept. On the right, the other workshop planner, Satu Lautamäki.
Text: Lotta Saarikoski and Satu Lautamäki
Photos: Lotta Saarikoski