ESTIEM Magazine | Spring 2014 | E-learning

Why your job sucks and

How that will change

Page 18

The IEM perspective with

Lutz Heissler

An ESTIEM alumnus Page 30

Three years exchange with

Boutros Lama Page 56

The new learning

E-learning Page 10

European Students of Industrial Engineering and Management Issue 46 2014/1 | ISSN 0874-5242 | Price 0 Euro | www.estiem.org

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Table of contents

INTRODUCTION INSIDE ESTIEM

18

30

26

Introduction 4

Project Leader’s Speech

5

President’s Speech

6

Introduction to ESTIEM

Focus Topic: E-learning

56

18 Why your job sucks and how that will change 21 Outsourcing: Have corporations gone too far?

about and is not that Bad Dürkheim 33 Shaping the future is in the eye of an

Management

and playing hard!

51 Project, Committee and Initiative

30 Life after ESTIEM is nothing to wine

Industrial Engineering and Engineering

48 An event dedicated to working hard 49 TIMES Semi-Final in Moscow

26 Introducing Board 2014

16 Megatrends – Implications for

47 Europe 3D CoM insights

23 The „VWI 5 Kampf“

13 Politecnico di Milano: e-Learning from

Scene

Everything is possible within ESTIEM

Inside ESTIEM

10 Engineering the Future of Education the student angle

45 From IEM student to Polish teacher:

IEM professional 38 Interview with Smartster

updates 59 Event agenda

Explore Europe 54 Student life in Trondheim 56 Three years exchange!

40 Lily’s impressions from Europe3D Madrid 42 Baku, where ancient and modernism meet and blend with each other ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

3

INSIDE ESTIEM INTRODUCTION

Project Leader’s Speech

Imprint Project Leader Stijn Zanders Editorial Staff Lydia Binek Koen Koolen Alaz Ata Şenol Stijn Zanders Online editorial staff Ivana Drecun Funda Koca Rūta Slivkaitė Design Tomasz Czekierda Rūta Slivkaitė Stijn Zanders

Dear reader, Education is changing, both in quality and scale and access, all through technology. Anyone who has an Internet connection and the will to learn has the possibility to have access to online education.

Universities are using these opportunities to broaden their audience and field of education. Concerning this issue, Politecnico di Milano in Italy is showing us how Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) can be used to bridge the gap between different stages of student

Proof readers Claudio Buhr Guilherme Frias Jonas Frimmer Sorana Ioniță Mladen Lukić

curricula. Besides that, the MOOC platform iversity.

Advertisement Acquisition Sorana Ioniță

Management (IEM) field, a new section is introduced

With special thanks to Sanan Aliyev, Isabel Azcárate, Emilia Gębska, Ada Giannatelli, Lily Gubayeva, Csaba Hartmann, Lutz Heissler, Boutros Lama, Geert Letens, Arjen Martens, Mark Poppenborg, Nataliya Roskladka, Martin Schmucker, Laine Šildere, Svetlana Smirnova, Arjan van Weele, Ou Yan

deeper look into the implications of megatrends in IEM,

org elaborates on the challenges and opportunities for online learning.

Since a lot is happening in the Industrial Engineering and in this issue, named Scene. This issue we will have a a different way on how companies should operate and the risk of outsourcing.

At last, we have two ESTIEMers sharing their exchange Furthermore, an interview with Lutz Heissler, an

stories, Arjen Martens tells us about his student life

ESTIEM alumnus who quit his office job and pursued

after he left Eindhoven to pursue his Master degree in

his passion, was held. Lutz shows us the effect of IEM

Trondheim. Boutros Lama, from Local Group L’Aquila

on running his own vineyard. Sanan Aliyev, the Local

tells us about his experiences during his three years of

Contact magazine@estiem.org

Responsible from Guest Group Baku will show us

exchange after an earthquake shook the central Italian

the country of Azerbaijan. Ou Yan, from the Board

city of L’Aquila.

ESTIEM Permanent Office Paviljoen B-6 P.O.Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands

of European Students of Technology gives an insight

Fax: 0031-(0)40 2473871 info@estiem.org www.estiem.org Disclaimer The contents may not always reflect the opinion of the publisher. Any reproduction or copy is permitted only with the permission of the editors.

from his perspective on the Europe 3D Coordination

In this 46th issue we once again present a mixture of

Meeting held in the beginning of 2014.

exciting, informative, fun and serious topics. Enjoy reading it!

Besides that, many more experiences from our growing network of ESTIEMers are captured in the Inside ESTIEM section and as many as seventeen updates from our projects, committees and initiatives are shown.

Our Partner

4

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

In high ESTIEM, Stijn Zanders Magazine Project Leader 2013 / 2014

President’s Speech

INTRODUCTION INSIDE ESTIEM

Dear Reader, The development of a new industrial revolution based on high tech integration of the value chain is today pointed as a priority by most European leaders. The crisis Europe is going through, of which the most visible effect is the high unemployment rate and lack of competitiveness in a global market, is being regarded as an opportunity to restructure the traditional industrial base to use the most out of the new technological breakthroughs in communication and intelligent systems. It is clear for all that Europe’s future lies in reinvesting in industry and new ways of manufacturing.

This should be an exciting time to be studying Industrial Engineering and Management.

ESTIEM is seizing the opportunity by preparing Industrial Engineering and Management students with a rich set of skills that enhances their university education.

between Academia and Industry, in order to properly

ESTIEM seminars provide the students with state of the

prepare Industrial Engineering and Management

art technical knowledge and our multicultural network

students for their future careers.

enables this knowledge to disseminate quickly all over

The focus topic of the 46th issue of the ESTIEM

Europe. Moreover, our activities provide room for the

Magazine is exactly about one of the ways that the

mastery of important soft skills, developing students

education system is adapting to the possibilities

to become leaders of their personal and professional

provided by the new technologies. E-Learning will for

lives in today’s dynamic environment. Our organisation

sure be one big part of the education system in the

faces several challenges for the future, one of them

future and Industrial Engineering and Management

being the ambition to be recognised as a key player in

education will for sure also be influenced by it.

the Industrial Engineering and Management field while maintaining a lean and efficient student run network.

I am very happy to invite you to read our 46th issue of

Now present at 74 universities in 28 countries, ESTIEM

the ESTIEM Magazine, including a renewed section with

has the responsibility to continue fostering the relations

more content relevant not only for students, but for all

between students to spread values of tolerance,

the Industrial Engineering and Management community.

democracy and social responsibility.

I am sure you will enjoy it.

One of the important pillars of this industrial development is the matching between the skills

In high ESTIEM,

acquired at universities and the ones needed in this new paradigm in industry. We have to continue the transformation by strengthening the connections Nuno Carneiro, President of ESTIEM 2014

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

5

INSIDE ESTIEM INTRODUCTION

All over Europe...

Back in 1990, students from five different countries founded an organisation, which they named ESTIEM: European Students of Industrial Engineering and Management. Its aim was and still is to establish and foster interrelations among European students of Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) and support them in their personal and professional development.

After 24 years, it has grown into an organisation

The decision-making body of ESTIEM is the Council,

bringing together over 60 000 students from 74

which meets twice a year, in autumn and in spring. Each

universities in 28 European countries, and it is still

university, represented by its so-called “Local Group”,

growing. All these universities offer courses in IEM.

sends two student representatives. The six members

Based on this structure, ESTIEM forms links between

of the Board of ESTIEM are elected during the autumn

students, academia and companies in order to create

Council Meeting. The Board is responsible for the

a European-wide, multi-level IEM network. ESTIEM

management, coordination and administration of the

has continuously increased the number of its activities,

association.

thus being able to offer a great variety of events to IEM

Besides taking leadership positions in the Board and as

students and an opportunity to experience different

Project or Committee Leaders, ESTIEM members can

cultures, take part in international projects and become

also take up responsibilities by working in one of the

friends with other ESTIEMers from all over Europe.

Projects, Committees or Initiatives. With lots of teams and tasks to choose from, there is a place for everyone.

Naturally, the backbone of ESTIEM is the European IEM student. The students involved in ESTIEM incorporate

For more detailed information about our organisation

both the skills required for modern business and an

and its activities, please visit our website at www.

open-minded approach towards other people and

estiem.org. ■

cultural issues.

6

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

... Students involve themselves in various international Projects....

INTRODUCTION INSIDE ESTIEM

ESTIEM is also a playground for great ideas developed by highly motivated students. If a student manages to convince ESTIEM’s Council of his idea, he can start his own international project. Currently, there are 10 projects running. and

knowledge of ethics and sound leadership among

Engineering Skills (TIMES) is the largest pan-

the future leaders of Europe. It was set up to bring

European case study competition solely for the

international students together during summer holidays

students of Industrial Engineering and Management.

to engage in open discussions, group work, debate and

This prestigious, highly acclaimed event is the flagship

private study under a senior Academic Leader.

The

Tournament

In

Management

project of ESTIEM. It has successfully been organised since 1994 and attracts around 1000 top European

The ESTIEM Student Guide is ESTIEM’s guiding

students every year. After Local Qualifications in 74

service provided to any student who is interested in

different universities and 8 Semi-Finals in selected cities,

studying Industrial Engineering and Management in

the winning team of the Final is awarded the title of

Europe or in travelling to any of the ESTIEM Local

Europe’s “IEM Students of the Year”.

Groups: an online database filled in by students, sharing academic and practical information on universities,

Vision seminar series aims to improve the personal

cities and countries.

skills and capabilities of the Industrial Engineering and Management students in Europe. The seminars contain

The official publication of ESTIEM provides the perfect

a balanced mixture of academic lectures, workshops

platform to reach a target group of approximately 60

and company visits, which are combined with cultural

000 students of Industrial Engineering and Management

and free-time activities of the organising city. Through

at universities all over Europe. The ESTIEM Magazine

those activities, the participants of a Vision Seminar

is published twice a year and distributed among IEM

develop themselves both personally and professionally.

students, graduates and also professors and companies

Each year’s Vision seminar series focuses on one main

across Europe, through the ESTIEM network.

topic to which all Vision seminars are connected. This year’s main topic is Customer Relationship Management.

Business Booster aims at creating an environment where all needed information, experience and support

The goal of Academic Days is to share ESTIEM

to excel in your future professional endeavors can be

universities’ knowledge with the network. It supports

found. The goal of this unique environment is to boost

the personal and professional development of students

entrepreneurial spirit and engage ESTIEMers, Alumni

across Europe willing to complete their curriculum. In

and companies to collaborate with each other.

order to achieve this, each event provides participants deep insights into a specific topic in which the organising

BrainTrainer is designed to develop leadership,

Local Group’s university has a high expertise.

presentation, business and social skills of participants through professional trainings lasting one or two

Europe3D is a 5-day seminar series where the

days. Its aim is to coach and develop the participants

participants get a basic picture of the hosting country.

to become more professional and successful in their

A special focus thereby lays on national characteristics

organisation as well as in their own future career.

in politics and economy. Lectures given by experts from politics, science and economy shall provide the

The ESTIEM Book project is aiming to create a

participants with a theoretical insight while cooperation

Book about ESTIEM’s past and present it for ESTIEM’s

with companies for excursions and lectures include the

25th anniversary in 2015. Besides presenting all of

practical aspects as well.

our history, it will show all the Projects, Committees and Initiatives of ESTIEM and present all of our Local

Through the Summer Academy, ESTIEM recognises

Groups. It will be published at ESTIEM’s 50th Council

the importance of and takes responsibility for providing

Meeting in spring 2015. ■

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

7

INSIDE ESTIEM INTRODUCTION

... and European-wide Committee Work The committees support the Board in maintaining and developing the organisation ESTIEM further. Students from all over Europe engage themselves in various topics in one of our 8 committees.

Corporate Relations Committee

Knowledge Management Committee

The Corporate Relations Committee coordinates the

The

relations between ESTIEM, companies and universities

two things. First, updating & creating Best Practice

jointly with the Board. The Committee’s work covers

Documents (BPDs) by documenting the collective

a number of fields with the aim of improving and

experiences of ESTIEMers throughout time - from

simplifying ESTIEM’s relations with companies and

organising a Project to how to be a Leader. These BPDs

universities, such as updating co-operation proposals,

are available online on the ESTIEM Portal. Second,

creating and gathering results for different surveys or

managing the quality of ESTIEM events by collecting

training people on how to approach companies and

feedback from the event participants in order to make

universities. The Corporate Relations Committee

Event specific and Project Specific Reports, showing the

also plays an active role in supervising and supporting

development of ESTIEM’s Projects and events.

Knowledge

Management

Committee

does

Projects and other Committees with regards to sponsors and academic supporters.

Members Committee The Members Committee supports the members of

Financial and Legal Committee

ESTIEM and provides information for those students

The Financial and Legal Committee’s role is to ensure

interested in joining ESTIEM by forming their own

ESTIEM’s compliance with all laws and regulations.

Local Group (LG). It guides them through the whole

It supports the Board, other Committees, Projects

process, starting from establishing the contact

and Local Groups in all financial and legal matters.

throughout the guest and observation period, all the

On one hand, it consists of experienced ESTIEMers

way until fully pledged membership. It takes care of

and ESTIEM Alumni, who are motivated to provide

the LG Requirements, helps all LGs via the Regional

advice whenever requested. On the other hand, active

Coordinators, and supports LGs and central ESTIEM

Committee members work on creating and updating

in motivation and recruitment issues. It fosters

Best Practice Documents, trainings, templates, etc. for

connections between LGs, tries to figure out what they

all related topics. Since many people are unexperienced

need locally and cooperates e.g. with the Trainers on

with finances and regulations, the Financial and Legal

Tour concept to fulfil the needs for training topics that

Committee aims at helping them to deal with them

the Members Committee is an expert on, such as HR,

correctly. Furthermore, the Financial Controllers, who

PR, recruitment and fundraising.

perform every year the audit of the financial books of ESTIEM, are part of the Committee.

Public Relations Committee The aim of the Public Relations Committee is to take

Grants Committee

care of ESTIEM’s outer appearance. The Committee

The Grants Committee supports ESTIEM’s applications

is responsible for communicating the brand of ESTIEM

for EU Grants and aims to establish and develop

and increasing the awareness both inside and outside

knowledge on public funding opportunities and

of ESTIEM. The PR Committee works with several

their application procedures. It also wants to share

different tools to achieve this, for instance designing

the existing knowledge with as many ESTIEMers as

PR material, creating design templates and guidelines,

possible and to support more and more Local Groups

as well as working on press and social media visibility.

in applying for an EU Grant for their events.

Trainings Committee Information Technology Committee

Personal development is part of ESTIEM’s vision – and

The IT Committee maintains the mail, intranet, and

it is what ESTIEM trainings are meant for! By passing on

web servers of ESTIEM and coordinates all IT-related

knowledge, skills and attitude in their sessions, ESTIEM

development in the organisation, such as the IT back

trainers support ESTIEMers on their path in ESTIEM

end system (.NET platform/C#). In addition, its

and in life. The Training Committee provides training

members offer troubleshooting services and technical

support to all ESTIEM activities and Local Groups. It

advice to ESTIEMers.

also guides trainers and people who want to become trainers with their career through ESTIEM, and gives them personal support and feedback. ■

8

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

Perfect Finish

ADVERTORIAL

The body paint finishing line at BMW is a highly complex process. The people who work on the line rely on their eyes as their most valuable tool – because the quality of the paintwork can only be judged with perfect vision.

Author: Miriam Kapsegger, Photographer Klaus-Dieter Sonntag Source: ZEISS im Bild international

Everything at the BMW plant in Leipzig, Germany,

On-site check-up: BMW employee getting his eyesight

revolves around top-notch quality – and the paint

tested and measured

finishing line is no exception. This is where every inch of the body paint is checked to ensure that the paint exhibits a perfectly smooth transition at the edges

vision and eye health. The results revealed that some

and that the coatings have been applied evenly all

63 percent of the employees did not have optimal

over the vehicle. These processes require the very

vision and either needed glasses or were wearing the

latest technology – yet the final check still relies on the

wrong prescription. To check what impact this has on

human eye. To determine how successfully employees

the paint finishing line, the employees were provided

can perform this task when exposed to so many

with eyeglass lenses from ZEISS in MYKITA frames and

changing intensities of light, luster and color, as well

asked to evaluate their vision after a twelve-week trial

as reflections. Dr. Franziska Rauscher from the Eye

phase. The results were astonishing: the ZEISS eyeglass

Hospital at the University of Leipzig carried out a study.

lenses not only achieved improvements in terms of

Conducted in cooperation with ZEISS Vision Care with

sharper and more relaxed vision, but also produced

Dispensing Tools & Instruments at the helm, the aim of

a noticeable improvement in the employees’ ability to

the study was to analyze and evaluate the employees’

identify flaws in the paintwork. ■

Maximum quality is a must on the paint finishing line

BMW employee checks the paintwork with his new glasses ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

9

Engineering the Future of Education

FOCUS TOPIC

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) hold the promise to provide students with up-to-date and web-based learning methods that suit individual needs and adapt to different learning speeds. In the field of car engineering, Prof. Meywerk from Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg will offer a series of three free online courses about Vehicle Dynamics on the educational platform iversity.org, starting in April 2014.

Martin Schmucker

iversity.org

The engineering industry desperately searches for

help. At the MOOC platform iversity.org, they consist

talent. In Germany alone, there are currently more than

of lecture videos and different interactive formats such

50,000 open positions, most of them with excellent

as discussion forums, quizzes and exams, and peer

career perspectives and well-paid. However, students

reviewing. With online lecture videos, the audience

enrolments remain at a low level and dropout rates

can rewind and replay sections they didn’t understand.

are high. What is it that keeps people from studying

But that’s not all. MOOCs also provide valuable

engineering, mechanics, and other technology-based

learning analytics. With the online quizzes and exams,

or STEM professions in the first place? Why are there

professors receive direct feedback and know where

such high dropout rates in these subjects – in some

their students are, i.e.: which parts of the course they

age groups up to 50% of students? Can online learning

pass easily and where they get stuck. Based on detailed

contribute to increasing completion rates?

data sets, learning and teaching can become subject to empirical research that makes both transparent in

Maybe students tend to underestimate the challenge

unprecedented ways. Traditional universities could

of becoming a technology expert, which comes along

never reach this.

with lots of complicated mathematics and physics, equations and experiments. Perhaps it’s also a question

Prof. Martin Meywerk who will start a series of three

of different learning speeds. This is where MOOCs can

MOOCs in April, is not new to the world of distance

MOOC MASSIVE

OPEN

ONLINE

COURSE

Classes may

Registration

The course

They are

consist of up

is open to

is taken

similar to

to 100.000+

anyone around

completely

college courses

students.

the world.

online.

but don’t offer credit.

10

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

FOCUS TOPIC

education. At the Helmut Schmidt University in

will an automobile behave when the driver suddenly

Hamburg, Germany, he’s been recording his lectures

has to navigate around obstacles like animals on the

about car construction for more than a year and posting

street? How do tires need to be designed so that

them online. There he works on experimental research

the car doesn’t flip upside down? Prof. Meywerk is in

on cars and their components with the objective to test

charge of validating the models that simulate those car

and verify computer simulations. Whenever possible,

components.

car constructors try to rely on virtual simulations because they help avoiding expensive real-world example crash tests. Only after such simulations, physical cars are driven against walls to see how they behave in accidents. However, someone has to make sure that those digital models correspond with the analog reality.

“

Taking higher education into the digital age and seizing the multitude of opportunities that MOOCs offer

Examples for this kind of validation would be to predict

Students in Meywerk’s field have to start from scratch

vehicle behaviour, for instance: In which situation and

before they can address such problems. In order to do

at which amount of force would welding points fail?

that, they need to learn the basics – everything a car

Another example involves vehicle dynamics: How

technician needs to know. Usually, introductory studies

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

11

FOCUS TOPIC

OPENCOURSEWARE OCW consists of academic course materials created by universities that are shared freely on the internet.

MOOCS

WHAT IS AVAILABLE ONLINE?

ONLINE COURSES

ONLINE ACCREDITED COURSES These are usally subscriptionbases services that allow students to take accredited, generalized courses online.

Massive Open Online Courses involve thousands of students around the globe coming together online to learn for free

These include non-accredited courses that can help you brush up on basics or learn new skills.

DIY DEGREES Earn a bachelor’s degree by taking tests instead of classes.

in the field of vehicle dynamics deal with three different

iversity’s mission. As a MOOC provider, the Berlin-

sections: 1. Accelerating and Braking, 2. Cornering, 3.

based startup supports students in acquiring the skills

Vertical Oscillations. With his course series that deals

they need and the professors to learn about how to

with those three subjects, Meywerk’s Vehicle Dynamics

improve their teaching. All online courses are free to

MOOC is supposed to represent the structure of a

attend for everyone. In some courses, participants

traditional syllabus. Students in each of these courses

can acquire certificates that count towards their

are required to invest a maximum of four hours per

offline studies or as a proof of achievement in front

week. This includes watching course videos, taking

of potential employers. In the future, online certificates

quizzes and getting involved in peer-to-peer exams,

will see an even wider recognition, because self-

in which students mutually correct their essays. The

motivation is the key: Nobody will control if a student

teaching staff also benefits. They will have more time

really attends his classes, and whoever manages to stay

to dedicate there time to students individually, thereby

in an online course for its entire duration proves a great

preventing them from dropping out of their studies too

deal of determination and self-organisation. Next to

early.

talent in engineering, this is what employers appreciate as an asset. ■

Taking higher education into the digital age and seizing the multitude of opportunities that MOOCs offer is

12

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

Politecnico di Milano: e-learning from the student angle

FOCUS TOPIC

Politecnico di Milano has had a strong commitment to teaching and learning innovation since the 1990s. To this end, since 1996, a specific university unit called METID (Metodi E Tecnologie Innovative per la Didattica - Innovative Methods and Technologies for Learning) has operated to design, develop, and deliver e-learning and e-collaboration services.1

According to the practical experience of METID, involvement of stakeholders (above all professors, tutors, and students), is a key issue to consider when developing an online learning application. This article focuses notably on the good practices identified understanding of students’ needs and insights in three relevant projects: BeeP, IoL, and MOOCs. Generally speaking, student involvement is crucial in three stages of the service development process (Figure 1): ■■

concept design: focus groups2 with students allow to gather input data to design the application (e.g.

Ada Giannatelli

Politecnico di Milano - METID

by Politecnico di Milano in order to reach a deeper

most critical needs and constraints), as well as to deduce a benchmark level for online platforms from online tools of mainstream use by students; ■■

application testing: during the pilot phase, online questionnaires,

testing

of

prototypes,

and

data drawn from technical support channels

Figure 1 - Stages of service development and

(email, forum, chat) can be used to verify if

student involvement

the service, once implemented, meets student expectations in terms of features, ease of use, and technical performance (e.g. page load speed); ■■

service delivery: online questionnaires, customer support data, and (if available) feedback from student associations provide relevant information on overall satisfaction level, both technical and non-technical problems, improvement margins, so that it is possible to act accordingly.

1. TThe European Foundation for Quality in eLearning (EFQUEL) has honored METID with the EFQUEL Award 2009.

METID achieved UNIQUe (European University Quality in eLearning) Quality Label for the innovative and creative use of ICT in higher education. METID conforms to quality management system of the Politecnico di Milano and is in compliance with the standard UNI EN ISO 9001:2008 concerning design and development of e-learning products and services.

2. Focus groups can be operationally defined as small-group discussions that give in-depth information and opinions on a specific topic.

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

13

FOCUS TOPIC

BeeP - Be e-Poli

Figure 2 – BeeP homepage

Since 1997, Politecnico di Milano has had several platforms to support web-enhanced courses. needs, on most relevant Beep features, but also on BeeP - Be e-Poli (Figure 2) is currently the portal for

previously used learning platforms, so that it was

the network activities of students and professors at the

possible to define a benchmark of expectations of

Politecnico di Milano and it is based on the open source technology Liferay, which allows rich social media

students; ■■

integration and large interface flexibility.

questionnaires to students using Beep: about 1300 respondents gave their opinion on the platform (satisfaction level, ease of use, liking, and

BeeP and other Politecnico’s online services integrate

improvement margins) and provided information

via Single Sign-On (SSO); an online workspace to

on learning platform used in the past.

complement face to face activities can be automatically activated for each teaching assignment or activity, and

The above mentioned data were combined with the

students can download course material, interact, and

guidelines from the commission for learning innovation,

deliver student assignments.

which includes 2 student representatives, in order to identify the key scenarios of use and features of the

Beep has currently about 61.400 registered users,

platform, so that it was possible to target development

among students, professors, tutors, collaborators and

efforts accordingly.

other stakeholders, from which about 30% access from a mobile device (smartphone or tablet). 3

Currently Beep is used by the whole Politecnico di Milano and since December is available for mobile

In order to tailor platform to user needs, during the

devices. To keep its delivery process under control,

pilot phase lecturers and students of the Politecnico’s

students provide their feedback via the following

School of design have used Beep for 1 year (2011 –

channels:

2012). During this period focus groups and online questionnaires took place:

■■

official

teaching

assessment

questionnaires,

which integrate specific questions about ease ■■

•

focus groups: about 15 students selected via

of use, quality and quantity of online materials,

student associations gave their feedback on their

and learning usefulness of Beep (about 7.700 respondents in 2013); ■■

3. Data updated to March, 2014

14

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

•

report

from

students’

union,

which

FOCUS TOPIC

promoted

a

survey

on

the

platform;

3.

from university to labour market (soft skills) Conflict management and Change management

■■

knowledge drawn from students’ feedback via

(2 MOOCs). These subjects were identified

support email and chat.

with a questionnaire that the university career service previously circulated to identify the most

IOL - Bachelor of Science in Computer

relevant educational gaps spotted by enterprises.

Engineering IOL - Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is

The first MOOCs are going to be delivered starting from

the first online degree course in Italy, delivered since

June, 2014. The commission for learning innovation,

the academic year 2000/2001; about 200 students are

which includes 2 student representatives, defined some

currently enrolled in academic year 2013-2014.

guidelines and focus groups were planned in the crucial stages of the project:

Yearly students are asked to fill in a questionnaire tailored on the IOL online degree course, in order

1.

design – a focus group with 9 students

to provide feedback on their personal profile and

selected by students’ associations allowed to:

motivation, ICT facilities, learning activities, overall

■ test

satisfaction, improvement margins, and suggestions.

video formats (liking, clarity, and usability),

Data gathered from questionnaires provide information

previously

in order to solve problems and keep the overall quality

■ collect

level of the course. In 2014 multimedia contents are

of

going to be updated: to this end, further involvement

further

the

prototypes

of

selected data

on

MOOCs development

several

MOOC

by

professors;

perceived

usefulness

and

hints

of

the

for

the

project;

of students in both design and testing phase is already planned to identify the most suitable formats.

2.

before of

the

“bulk”

MOOC contents;

implementation

MOOCs According to the strategy defined by Politecnico di

3.

before the delivery of MOOCs.

Milano, MOOCs are aimed at supporting transfer stages across student curriculum:

Recurring customer satisfaction questionnaires are going to be delivered after each edition of a MOOC,

1.

from

entry

in order to identify the improvement margins of the

preparedness in Maths and in Physics (3 MOOCs)

high

school

to

university

-

learning offer and to tailor the workload according to the real needs of users. ■

2.

from Bachelor of Science to Master of Science MOOC subjects to be defined;

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

15

Megatrends – Implications for Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management

SCENE

Geert Letens

Institute of Industrial Engineers America

As production is moving away from the traditional

Lean health care will become very important for the

western economies, a new buzz word is starting to

next two decades

circle around in Europe and in the US: innovation. And indeed, we need to stimulate our businesses to adapt to the ever increasing pace of technology, developing

Lean Healthcare to become as important for the next

new products and highly customized services. This

two decades, as TQM has been to guide our industries

is not only important to offer opportunities and

out of the crisis in the seventies and the eighties.

employment to highly educated employees. It may be equally critical to pull part of the production that

But more will be needed. Especially in Europe,

was lost in the global battle for cost leadership back

governments will be forced to downsize their

into local regions, supporting the creation of jobs for

administration, first to free up capital for investments

employees with lower educational levels.

in innovation and thus stimulate economic growth, and second, to preserve the social rights that many

16

Clearly governments can support this through innovation

previous generations have been fighting for. In fact, this

friendly policies, e.g. stimulating the collaboration

movement already began, as many European countries

between universities and industries. However, this also

seek to introduce an overall budget that meets the

implies providing budgets for increased investments

stringent criteria of Brussels. The demographic

in research and development. Unfortunately this later

mismatch may in this case be an ally rather than an

element tends to be/become problematic. While the

enemy. Achieving restructuring targets over the next

debt rate and/or annual deficit of many countries are

years may not require a politically disastrous demission

already dangerously high, there is a new important

wave, but will be rather easily accomplished by a simple

distortion looming around the corner. As the baby-

control and/or reduction of the recruitment efforts.

boom generation starts to retire and life expectancy

This transition is certainly not without risks though.

continuous to improve, costs of Healthcare and Social

Many government organisations will be confronted

Security will reach unseen heights. As a result, I expect

with both lost knowledge and the limitations of

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

SCENE

Increase our attention to innovation in support of the traditional Western economies.

In order to align our thoughts with the megatrends that seem to be dominant over the next decade, we need to: Promote Lean Healthcare to support the demographic transformation of our societies

Develop a knowledge base on Lean Government

ineffective functional and hierarchical structures, when

These megatrends have important implications for the

they will no longer be able to preserve a critical mass of

profession of Industrial Engineering and Engineering

staff to provide specialised services. What this means,

Management. In order to align our thoughts with

is that while certainly the demographic evolution may

the megatrends that seem to be dominant over the

be helpful to achieve budget driven quota, government

next decade, we need to: 1. Increase our attention

organisations urgently need assistance to guide intelligent

to innovation in support of the traditional Western

transformations. The internal control systems (ICS)

economies. 2. Promote Lean Healthcare to support

methodology that is already heavily promoted by many

the demographic transformation of our societies. 3.

governments is certainly a step in the right direction,

Develop a knowledge based on Lean Government to

but in my eyes, underutilises the potential of lean

assure continuity in government services and liberate

transformations. Obviously ‘Lean Government’ will be

capitals for new investment and general economic

essential to eliminate waste in administration, but perhaps

growth. ■

even more importantly, the various components of true lean transformations such as lean leadership, culture and strategy will be critical to assure sustainable results.

Adapted from the article “Megatrends: What Do They Bring for our Society” in the September/October 2013 issue of Industrial Management. ©Institute of Industrial Engineers.

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

17

Why your job sucks and how that will change

SCENE

What we can learn from pioneering businesses that have reinvented how companies should operate.

When Jack finished his studies two years ago he was

So before I address this question and shake up some

determined to make a dent. He wanted to use all his

fundamentals of today’s work normalities I should

potential to help shape the future of an engineering

strengthen my case and also look towards the other

company he had chosen to be his first employer.

side of the equation: employers.

Today Jack has lost faith. He goes from being totally Mark Poppenborg

Founder intrinsify.me

overworked to being bored-out by the meaningless

When you study the average medium-size company

and dull duties his boss makes him do. He seeks

in the western economies you will find many

fulfillment outside his job by learning how to code apps

inconsistencies. They are complaining about their

and by riding his mountain bike whenever he possibly

own inflexibility and lack of innovation but they are

can. He tries to convince HR to introduce more flexible

introducing new regulations by the minute. They talk

working hours and is even pushing for a sabbatical to

about attracting extraordinary talent but apply more

get out of what seems to him like the wasted part of

and more standardised recruiting processes which

his life. His future plans involve escaping into freelance

encourage the hire of the exact opposite: the norm.

work, which he hopes will involve more autonomy.

They moan about the rapid change in the markets but try to anticipate the future of those very markets by

Jack is no exception. Actually, Jack is like 86 per cent

making 5-year plans and allocating budgets that become

of the population who are emotionally disengaged or

obsolete the minute they are decided upon.

show low signs of engagement towards their employer.

Let’s face it, for most of us work simply sucks. And

The good news is, there is an almost strikingly artless

even if you haven’t started working yet, you have a

explanation to this mess our world of work is in. The

daunting feeling that it will. Worst of all, most of us

bad news is, it is incredibly hard to bring the findings

don’t understand what causes our on-going discomfort.

that can be made into practice. Quite like Copernicus

We simply take it for granted that our lives will play out

struggled convincing us that the earth is not a disk.

something like Jack’s does.

But what if the modern outcry for corporate gym memberships, flexible working hours, sabbaticals and home offices are nothing people like Jack actually need? What if employees just learned to demand these popular goodies because, well, because that’s what you demand these days?

“

People like Copernicus, Galilei and Einstein have challenged the status quo and we all know how much sympathy they received when they first announced their findings.

Just for now, let’s assume these demands, that are

What we are experiencing today are predictors

heavily amplified by the media and promoted by

of a transformation so fundamental that it will fill

consultants who sell employer-branding campaigns,

history books in the future. We are experiencing the

are not an actual desire, but just symptoms and trained

precursors of a revolution of work.

answers. And if this was to be true, there is a very important question to be raised, which is: What is the

So what is wrong with the way most of us work today?

real cause of these symptoms?

Why do we need to rethink work?

This is a risky question to ask as you are challenging

The entire operating system companies run on today

the status quo. People like Copernicus, Galilei and

is determined by a paradigm that has its roots about

Einstein have challenged the status quo and we all

100 years ago. Around 1910, industrialisation was at its

know how much sympathy they received when they

peak and markets were offer-driven, i.e. demand was

first announced their findings.

so high, all the companies had to worry about was to produce in the most cost-efficient way. This meant not

18

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

SCENE

bothering about innovation or competitive advantage, as customers would buy their goods anyway. This was an unprecedented situation in which companies had the luxury to focus solely on their own optimisation.

This was the eve of a new operating system named management. Its core idea was to separate thinking from doing and thereby standardising operations into their smallest increments and letting poorly skilled workers do repetitive and simple work. Management turned companies into well-oiled machines and workers into cog wheels – most of all though, it brought them wealth. It was the foundation for decades of prosperous western economies. Management, also referred to as Taylorism, in honour of Frederick Winslor Taylor who is said to have been the inventor of this ground breaking and ingenious new operating system, was a major gift to all of us.

This short detour via our insightful past wouldn’t have

About the author

been for a reason though, if there wasn’t a bold BUT.

Mark Poppenborg is an expert on the new world of work and modern leadership. His company intrinsify.

BUT the idea that brought us decades of wealth has

me is both a for-profit business and a social movement.

become the very burden of today’s world of work.

For several years Mark has been studying pioneering companies that apply revolutionary operating systems

This has happened for a single and very simple reason:

and feeds his insights back into the economy by hosting

The preconditions that enabled Taylorism to flourish

events, giving trainings and conducting consultancy

are no longer existent. It is as if you had built wind

projects.

turbines in a breezy region that has come to be a haven of tranquillity. Taylorism was established in a time when

Mark is also a former board member of the VWI

markets held still and surprises in a company’s relevant

(German Association of Business Administration and

environment were rare.

Industrial Engineering), the German equivalent to ESTIEM.

In comparison, today’s markets are as dynamic and unpredictable as the weather in Northern Europe. You might anticipate the odd change in conditions but never

against their instinct. This is what drives many into

will you do so reliably for more than five days. Markets

frustration and bore- or burnout.

have become so complex that only the most agile of businesses survive. Evolution rules over those who

Why does my manager have to make the final decision

don’t innovate.

if I know the problem best? Why do we make project plans as thick as books when we know that they are

If, in this turbulent world, you hold on to a belief system

out-dated the minute we finalise them? Why is the

that suggests that every operation within a business can

purchasing department still measured based on their

be planned, commanded and controlled then you will

savings when our core problem is our suppliers’

be threatened by extinction much sooner than business

delivery quality? Why do we pretend to know the

schools can adapt their curricula.

future in order to allocate budgets when we have no clue what the year will actually bring? Why do we need

What employees suffer from today is working in

to deliver key performance indicators (KPIs) when they

systems that still suggest rules of operation that are so

don’t resemble our actual work in the slightest?

contradictory to their every day experiences with reallife problems that they can barely handle the tension.

The prevailing operating system of companies today

The management paradigm forces people to behave

still is Taylorism, aka management. But this operating ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

19

SCENE

system is imposing a conviction onto businesses that

The two founders of intrinsify.me

is long out-dated and the only way to change this is by overthinking the operating system at its core. We need to go beyond management.

but out of entrepreneurial necessity and foresight.

On closer investigation it comes to no great surprise

There are companies that we call “Intrinsifiers” like

that many sectors have already seen some changes

W.L. Gore, Toyota, dm Drogeriemarkt, Allsafe

in the way companies operate their business – some

Jungfalk, Svenska Handelsbanken and many more that

more successful than others. What distinguishes the

have reinvented how companies should operate in such

successful from the unsuccessful is simple to see in

a revolutionary way that it causes disbelieve to most

theory but so very hard to implement in practice.

of us. Even though these pioneers are outperforming their competition by far we find it hard to accept that

The true transformation happens when companies

something so different to what we grew up with can

question the core paradigm their operating system is

actually generate success. Again, just like we could not

built upon. This means making changes to the system,

imagine the earth being a sphere at one point.

not within it. Moving boxes in the departmental structure is still thinking in departments. Reducing

The most significant insight to be made when one starts

hierarchies is still thinking in hierarchies. Shortening

digging deeper is probably also the most promising.

planning cycles is still planning.

The new world of work creates environments that are tailored towards people’s real needs, i.e. autonomy,

True change to the system happens when companies

mastery and meaning. 100 years after Frederick

get rid off departments overall in favour of dynamically

Taylor revolutionised work we are witnessing another

established and functionally integrated cells that run

fundamental transformation. Only this time it will align

their own business within the business. True change to

the needs companies have in order to thrive in highly

the system happens when employees don’t just get given

dynamic and complex markets with people’s core

more freedom, but instead get actual responsibility,

needs for leading a fulfilled life. It is hard to argue that

whether that’s choosing their working hours, working

this is not a desirable outlook.

teams, working procedures, pay, training measures, etc. rather than taking orders from some distant superior.

If you want to participate in this transformation find movements like intrinsify.me around you, found

The major change in the new world of work is the

businesses based on the new paradigm, support

reintegration of thinking and doing. This means

pioneering companies by telling their story or try to

overcoming

dig deeper to understand the underlying forces that

formal

hierarchies

and

functional

separation of responsibility.

are shaping the next revolution of work at this very moment. ■

It is very important to note here, that these changes don’t happen as an act of mercy towards the employees 20

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

Outsourcing: Have corporations gone too far?

SCENE

From outsourcing and off-shoring to near-shoring and insourcing: after years of global sourcing, companies have started to bring their operations closer to home. Arjan van Weele, professor at Eindhoven University of Technology, shortly explains the developments in his field.

Photographer Bart van Eijden

Van Weele explains that the consequence of outsourcing is that suppliers determine the performance, and thus the competitiveness of companies. A company like ASML (ed. a chip-machine manufacturer ) has a purchasing quote of 90%. This means that 90% of the

the price of their machines, which has a big effect on their competitiveness. However, not only the price is important. If suppliers stop to innovate it will delay the development of the next-generation machines. “This is the reason purchasing and supply chain management is

Koen Koolen

When suppliers are too expensive ASML has to raise

Local Group Eindhoven

price of a chip-machine is determined by suppliers.

so important, it is not only about buying products and negotiating, it is about managing supplier performance and mobilizing their capabilities”, says Van Weele.

Arjan van Weele, besides being professor in Purchasing and Supply Management at Eindhoven University

Outsourcing has a lot of positive effects, but it has

of Technology, acts as an independent boardroom

negative effects as well. Van Weele explains that there

consultant to many large companies on procurement

seems to be an optimum in the degree of outsourcing.

strategy and governance issues. Before he worked as

This is reflected by the relationship between the

a consultant in the field of purchasing and supply chain

profitability of the company and the degree of

management for many years. Sitting behind his desk at

outsourcing, which is shown in Figure X. “Companies

the Eindhoven University of Technology, he explains

will first benefit when starting to outsource business

with great enthusiasm the developments and trends in

functions and processes, but there is an optimal point.

his field. “The contemporary world cannot be imagined

If you pass it, it will lead to less profitability. We still do

without outsourcing. In 1986 I came to Nedcar (ed. a Dutch car manufacturer) and in that period they were

Figure 1: Profitability vs Outsourcing

making their own components, chairs, dashboards, etc.

Everything had to be of the highest quality, thus they

Profitability

wanted to do everything by themselves. During the 2000s , they started outsourcing a lot of processes. For example prefabricated dashboards and chairs that were purchased from a supplier who supplied these to the manufacturing site just-in-time.” Another field in which outsourcing has become common, is ICT. Van Weele:

Lack Focus

Knowledge Loss

“Companies used to have big ICT departments but that is changing as well. For example, the ICT department of ABN AMRO (ed. a Dutch bank) is outsourced to IBM. We see that outsourcing is a widely spread phenomenon.”

Degree of Outsourcing

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

21

SCENE

not know exactly where that point is located and why

Which on its turn leads to a pressure on costs and

there is an optimal point .We think that this is caused

big vulnerabilities in the supply chain. The reaction

by a lack of control. Through outsourcing the company

of companies to this is near-shoring and insourcing.

becomes more dependent on its suppliers. If it has

Companies are locating outsourced functions close to

become overly dependent it is really difficult to get out

the market place or they bring these functions back in-

. It is incredibly dangerous for any company to be at

house. Van Weele gives an example: “It takes HEMA,

the mercy of suppliers.” An example of this is IBM, the

a retailer that operates fashion and merchandise stores

inventor of the Personal Computer. Since 1982 IBM

in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, 38 weeks to

became a huge producer of personal computers and

have women’s fashion delivered in the store. This is

laptops. Early 2000 it decided to outsource its entire

due to the long leadtimes caused by doing business

production to a small manufacturer in Taiwan, Lenovo.

with suppliers located in the Far East. Zara, the

Four years ago Lenovo took over the entire business,

Spanish women fashion retailer, on the other hand only

which, according to IBM, fitted in their strategy. This

sources all of its women fashion from Europe . Hence,

example illustrates that outsourcing ultimately may lead

their time to market is four to six weeks.” Bringing

to hollowing out part of a business or even an entire

production closer to the end user markets brings more

business, if suppliers become too powerful.

flexibility and responsiveness of the supplying partners.

“

This results in greater competitive advantage in that a

Oursourcing offers companies the possibilities to exploit their strengths and stay competitive in the future.

company is able to act and react quickly on changes in customer and market demands. Companies now choose to move production to countries near their core markets in Europe and amongst others Eastern Europe. These countries have well educated and skilled people who are motivated to work, at lower wages

In response to the question whether there is a

compared to Western Europe and it is only a two day

relationship between outsourcing and the reputation

drive to the Western European market.

of a company Van Weele replies that he has not seen any research about it yet, but he adds: “In case of

Concluding, companies have to examine outsourcing

irregularities at a supplying partner, the reputation of

really well. Outsourcing business processes and

a company can be damaged. Apple, for example, has

functions means a shift in the position of a company

outsourced its complete production of the Iphone and

in the supply chain, especially in terms of power.

Ipad to Electronic Contract Manufacturers (ECMs)

Outsourcing can be very lucrative, however companies

such as Foxconn and Jabil. When such companies

can go too far and experience the negative effects

take human rights rather lightly, it can damage Apple’s

of outsourcing. In reaction to the pressure on costs

reputation. Supply chains can become so complex that

and big vulnerabilities in the supply chain, companies

it becomes almost impossible to control them. The rise

are starting to bring functions closer to the market

of social media amplifies this effect because they make

or in-house. Van Weele concludes: “Outsourcing is a

supply chains more transparent. That transparency will

multidisciplinary process and a complex change process

not go away.”

in the organization. Nonetheless, when carefully implemented, it offers companies the possibilities to

In other words, there is an ongoing process of specialization going on, which leads to outsourcing.

22

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

exploit strengths and stay competitive in the future.”

The „VWI 5 Kampf“

INSIDE ESTIEM

The VWI is an organisation of German industrial engineers, whose aim is to build the connection between all German universities, students and professionals of industrial engineering. The VWI has supported ESTIEM since it was founded and has been a cooperation partner for a long time. Therefore it is no wonder that there are events, which VWIers and ESTIEMers can participate in.

One of them is the “VWI 5 Kampf ” or F.E.C.T.S. It

parties, and for the last VWI 5 Kampf, participants

consists of 5 disciplines: Fun, Economics, Creativity,

had the possibility to join the famous Las Vegas

Technology, and Sports, which should be overcomed

party in Ansbach. The consequential lack of time

from teams from all over Germany. In most cases

is compensated with less sleep. Nevertheless, no

three persons build one Team and represent one

motivation is dropping because at the end the winning

Hochschulgruppe . The event is always organised by

award waits.

1

a different Hochschulgruppe which has not only the task to find sponsors, but also to define the exact rules

Competing in a team is especially supporting the group

of each discipline for this year. For example, at the

dynamics. Therefore it is no wonder that it is difficult to

5-Kampf in October 2012, the task for Technology was

say goodbye after the gala dinner and the winner award

to build a tower only with paper, strings and adhesive.

ceremony.

The winner was the team with the highest tower. In most cases, the discipline Creativity demanded from

This year the VWI 5 Kampf will be organised by the

the teams to create a marketing campaign or perform

Hochschulgruppe Bremen and of course every VWIer

power point karaoke,

is anxious to know what is behind the disciplines Fun,

where you can show your

improvisation skills. Also Sports and Fun require full

Economics, Creativity, Technology and Sports.

commitment: From group dynamic games or Ultimate Frisbee to beer pong everything is possible. At last you

The VWI would be very glad if ESTIEMers would come

have the ‘king discipline’, Economics, which consists

and join the VWI 5 Kampf and offer to the VWIers

very often of a case study.

their ESTIEM spirit. Do not be afraid of the linguistic barrier. Sure there is a lot in German but the disciplines

But also the supporting program does not come off

connect people from all languages and it would also be

badly in a VWI Event. Besides constant catering and

nice and a challenge for VWIers if everything was in

a gala dinner, there are special local parties at all the

English. ■

events, for example parties of the university, Tram

1. Identical with ESTIEM Local Groups ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

23

ADVERTORIAL

Isolux Corsán, A global company Isolux Corsán is a global benchmark in the areas of concessions, energy, construction and industrial services, with a track record spanning over 80 years of professional activity. It operates in 43 countries on four continents and has a backlog of more than €49.10 Bn.

Expansion to Combined cycle for the Ensenada Barragan Power Plant I Argentina

Isolux Corsán reinforced its commitment to growth

complex ever undertaken by Isolux Corsán. It was

and

and

necessary to build special infrastructures, such as two

increasing its presence on five continents. This decisive

295 metre towers weighing 2,500 tonnes each to cross

orientation towards foreign markets has meant that

the Amazon River over a stretch of 2,000 metres or

86% of the company’s business in 2013 came from

the building of rafts to raise the towers that will carry

outside of Spain. In addition, 75% of the total Group

the power lines. In this country, the Group operates

revenue stems from international projects.

in all its core business areas. It builds and operates

international

expansion,

strengthening

more than 680 km of toll roads in the state of Bahia.

Brazil

The company is currently building the first part of the

In the Americas, Isolux Corsán has completed some of

northern section of the only ring road of via São Paulo,

its most important projects. In Brazil, the company has

the Mario Covas Beltway and 4 sections of the BR-381

completed the construction of 1,191 kilometres of 500

highway in the state of Minas Gerais. The company also

kV and 230 kV high voltage lines and is also managing

operates 3,279 kilometres of transmission lines and

and connecting the cities of Manaus and Macapá

associated substations.

(capital of the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Amapá respectively) with Brazil’s Interconnected System. The

Mexico

difficult terrain of this project makes it one of the most

Isolux Corsán has over 50 years of experience in Mexico, one of the countries with the highest growth

1,191 kilometers of electricity transmission in Amazonas -

prospects worldwide. In this country, the Group

Brazil

is carrying out several major projects. The recent awards include the construction and installation of 26 kilometres of transmission lines and 10 substations in Mexico City, in the states of Mexico and Hidalgo, for a total of $90 million, as well as the rehabilitation and modernisation of units 1 and 2 of the Altamira Thermoelectric Power Plant in Tamaulipas, in the state of Mexico, which has a budget of $380 million.

United States In the U.S., one of the most competitive markets in the world, the company has increased its presence and achieved the first concession ever awarded to a foreign company in the country. Specifically, this is the WETT project (Wind Energy Transmission Texas), in which the Group achieved successful completion

24

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

ADVERTORIAL

of the construction, operation and maintenance

The project was awarded by the Ministry of Electricity

of six substations and seven 345 kVA transmission

and Water of Kuwait and has a budget of €80 million.

lines, with a length of over 600 kilometres. This is in addition to the new award, Isolux Corsán since has

Africa is another continent where the Group has

been named a “preferred bidder”, for the completion

established operations in many countries. Currently

of the design, construction, financing, operation and

the Group is working on new contracts for a total

maintenance of the 21-mile extension of Highway 37

value of €86 million. This has allowed the company

between Bloomington and Martinsville, including links

to consolidate its activities in Africa and increase

and overpasses. The works are part of the national I69

the number of projects carried out in this strategic

corridor and has a concession period of 35 years.

continent.

India In Asia, India is another key country for the company and, in this country, the Group is the leading European developer of

large infrastructure through 700

kilometres of highways among the four highways that are under construction and concession.

Bangladesh In Bangladesh, the company has recently inaugurated a 180 MW power plant in the city of Khulna, and the connection of the plant with the electrical grid and the

NH1 Panipat-Jalandhar Highway I India

existing diesel and gas networks in the area. This plant is of great importance for the region and covers the

South Africa

energy demand of more than five million people. In this

Another milestone in the last year has been the first

country, the Group is also carrying out the works on the

contract awarded in South Africa, where the company

335 MW combined cycle power plant in Siddhirganj.

will build a 60 MW solar PV power plant and the substation and interconnection facilities necessary to

Kuwait

connect to the 132 kV ESKOM network in Boshof City,

The Group achieved a new milestone with the award of our first contract in Kuwait. Specifically, this is

Isolux Corsán today operates in over 40 countries,

a turnkey project for the engineering, supply and

five in Europe, 15 in the Americas, 8 in Asia and 14 in

construction of 172 kilometres of 300kV transmission

Africa. These projects are the result of the company’s

lines and strengthens Isolux Corsán’s presence in Asia.

internationalisation

The works will take place in the town of Al-Rawdatain.

undertaken over the past five plus years. ■

and

diversification

strategy

Wind Energy Transmission Texas I Usa

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

25

INSIDE ESTIEM

Introducing Board 2014 An interview by Board 2013

Nuno Carneiro, ESTIEM

Which type of fish do you think suits your personality the

President

most?

Interviewed by Csaba Hartmann,

Ahah, this is a very intriguing question! I know how

ESTIEM President 2013

interesting the fish in Hungary is! I would risk it and go for Tuna, everyone loves Tuna!

What do you see the as the biggest challenge in an ESTIEM Board year?

If we were to meet in one year and I asked you tell me the

My time in the Board of ESTIEM has been a fantastic

three most important things that changed in Nuno, what

experience so far. Of course we also face challenges,

would you say?

but it would not be exciting if there were no challenges.

I hope we do meet in one year! I would probably tell

I expect that the biggest challenge for this year will be

you about how I got used to working while travelling

to keep questioning the way we are taking and have the

through three different countries in one day or how I

clarity to understand which strategy we should follow

learned about the weather difference between Portugal

for a sustainable development of ESTIEM. I also expect

and Finland in the Winter. In earnest, I hope that I

big challenges in keeping everyone inspired during the

would tell you that I became more persevering in face

whole year.

of obstacles, a good friend of my fellow Boardies and a better dancer (getting some tips for that from Marija,

How do you see the responsibility of the Board in shaping

Sorana and Esin already!)

the future of Europe together?

I see the Board having the responsibility to lead our

Marija

organisation in the direction of fulfilling our Mission.

President of Finance

Turanjanin,

Vice

As the most active students in ESTIEM this year, we

Interviewed by Natalie Gyรกrfรกs,

have to guarantee the engagement of everyone who

Vice President of Finance 2013

is committing some time to the development of our

26

network: our Leaders, central ESTIEM active members

Tell me some of the best things that happened to/with you

and all the ESTIEMers who take part in our Local

since you got elected as a Vice President of Finance?

Groups. As Boardies, we are also responsible for

The new, challenging and a bit stressful experience

being a role model for other ESTIEMers. In particular,

in ESTIEM has definitely helped to improve my

we should pay attention to be an example of having a

competences and encompass my knowledge of

balanced work and personal life and pay special attention

different characters and characteristics, originating from

to the distinct difficulties faced in the different countries.

different cultures. This diversity constantly brings new

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

INSIDE ESTIEM energy, joy and enthusiasm to me, to further improve

to finish an internship, continue with master and PhD

the functioning of the organisation. The meetings in

studies, gain new experience from traveling etc.

Lappeenranta, Warsaw, Kaunas, Siegen, Dortmund, Belgrade and Kragujevac have, aside from numerous

Tibor Weigel, Vice President

cultural, national and individual differences, showed me

of Administration

the marvelous dedication of individuals to foster the

Interviewed by Israel Pohl, Vice

same values and use science and practice to build and

President of Administration 2013

maintain general human values.

What is the first page you open in your web browser in the If you could have one entry in the Budget entirely up to you

morning (if the answer is ESTIEM Portal, also state the

and nobody would ever question it, what would it be for?

second page)

I would indubitably allocate it to education in the field

It is indeed most of the times the portal first. But then

of fine arts, which would be embodied through cultural

I also like to turn on some wake up music on VK.com,

events, museum and gallery visits, and also individual

read some IT news on heise.de, general news on zeit.de

creation of art, which I believe would improve the

or tagesschau.de. The last one is quite inspiring IT-wise

work of the organisation, moving it up to an even

with some smart things. For example you can actually

higher level.

type the address with any number of “s” between 1-3 and you still come out to the appropriate page. Ideas

What else do you do next to ESTIEM, and if you happen to

like this I also want to implement into the ESTIEM IT.

have some free time, how do you like to spend it?

In my spare time, I like to read classical literature and

If I met you at an event and wanted to express my thanks

anything related to irrational behaviour. Furthermore, I

for your work by buying you a drink, which drink would

like visiting cultural happenings, but what I cherish most

that be?

are the moments spent with my family and friends, long

Well that should be either a Whiskey Sour, the classic

walks in intact nature, and beautiful sunsets, viewed

Board drink Gin Tonic, which you would then have to

from Kalemegdan in Belgrade, Porto or Bosphorus.

get for yourself too or, if you really want to make an impression, some decent rum.

What’s your favourite song and why?

If music is food of the soul, it would not be good to

What makes ESTIEM special to you and motivates you to

feed it with only one kind of music, so, my choice

put so much effort into the organisation?

depends on my current mood, the moment, people I

I see ESTIEM as a great platform to be able to develop

am with and varies from e.g. John Coltrane or Bon Jovi

yourself and to travel. Travelling itself is in my opinion

to Beyonce.

some kind of education which a lot of people neglect.

Why is it a actually a “great” platform? Because is has

How does a VP of Finance’s future look like, any plans for

the so called “ESTIEM spirit”. The potential of this

your post-Boardie life?

spirit can be best experienced in bigger events like a

As the poet Crnjanski would say: “When acacia blooms

Europe3D or a Council Meeting.

next year, who knows where I will be.” I am planning

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

27

INSIDE ESTIEM

What would you do if you reached the end of the internet?

me want to find better paths to walk on for the year.

I would tell everybody to calm down, remain seated,

The other half of my motivation concerns the “giving

fasten the seatbelts and wait for orders by the admins.

back” aspect. I have a moral obligation to voluntarily work one year of my life, because of all the amazing

Rade Pantelić, Vice President

personal and professional opportunities ESTIEM has

of Activities

offered me.

Interviewed by Jonas Enlund, Vice President of Activities 2013

Biggest personal challenge for the year?

Time management vs. prioritising efficiently. How to

What is the most memorable ESTIEM moment you have

manage the tasks better and do as many as possible

experienced so far and what do you think will be the best

vs. how to select which ones to do and leave some of

one during 2014?

them out. Biggest mystery of my life.

The best one was of course being elected for the Board, that first ESTIEM Song that we sang together is

So I know you have been around for a while - what were

something that I will never forget. I don’t really think

the most important stations in your study and ESTIEM life?

that much about what will come, every moment that I

The “stations” in my ESTIEM life have been quite

spend on ESTIEM events is very precious to me.

clear: from active member to Local Responsible to ESTIEM Magazine Project Leader to Vice President of

You are a very diverse board. What benefits and challenges

Public Relations. In my studies I hopped from being a

do you believe that brings?

regular Bachelor student at the “Politehnica” University

Yes, we are very, very different, in everything - culture,

of Bucharest to being an ERASMUS student at the

character and working styles. Actually a lot of our

Technical University of Vienna to returning to Bucharest

internal jokes are about this. We are definitely the

to write my Bachelor Thesis to being a regular Master

“Balanced Board” or the “Random Board”, which ever

student at the Technical University of Vienna.

you prefer. There are a lot of different opinions that make you say “Ah, I have never thought about this”.

Tell us a bit about Romstria!

I definitely think this is one of our biggest advantages.

Well, considering the previous answer and because I was active in

Do you hate Wappu?

two Local Groups at the same time,

Hahah I don’t hate Wappu, I actually love the Nordics.

at some point I started getting the

Our first Board Meeting was in Lappeenranta and it was

Romstrian flag on my nametags

perfect!

at some events. I also used it in my Vice President of

Public Relations application when naming the country Sorana Ioniță, Vice President

that I come from (Romania+Austria=Romstria, for the

of Public Relations

ones who did not get it yet). It is a good gag to make fun

Interviewed by Edmund Salzmann,

of somebody when they ask you where do you come

Vice President of Public Relations

from, especially when you want to be evasive. “What?

2013

You have never heard of Romstria? Your geography knowledge is very limited. It’ even a European country!”

Recently, a lot of cats showed up on ESTIEM flags. Did you

convert to Local Group Istanbul-Boğaziçi?

Esin Korel, Vice President of

(smiling) No, not yet. Maybe after the historical Council

Education

Meeting Istanbul-Boğaziçi, I might want to swap Local

Interviewed by Raphael Eder, Vice

Groups. However, this could convince people to quickly

President of Education 2013

adopt a cat before they host me, because then it’s going online for sure. (just ask Sanyi or AjdaKezbanSu while

You have visited almost all LGs - why don’t you get tired

they were cuddling with the ESTIEM flag)

of traveling?

The phrase “getting tired of traveling” does not exist

28

What is your motivation of being Vice President of Public

in my terminology. I love travelling, I love seeing new

Relations/in the Board of ESTIEM?

places, I love meeting new people, I love spending

Having the possibility to have one of the most intense

quality time with ESTIEMers! Travelling gives you

and best years of my life. The first half of my motivation

perspective; meeting ESTIEMers from different cultures

is seeing the accomplished end results. Even if I do not,

has taught me that the way you look at the world is not

this will only make me want to strive for better or make

the same for everyone. Seeing quite many countries

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

INSIDE ESTIEM

and cities in Europe has provided me with a source of

is it a chance to have many opportunities to make big

in-depth knowledge on politics, history, economy and

changes in our network and shape the board position

geography, all of which are impossible to obtain in a

but there are also quite many ideas out there to be

lecture room! Visiting quite many Local Groups and

investigated and implemented. Keeping up with the

meeting endless amounts of ESTIEMers has enabled

great work that was done during the past 3 years, this

me to build long-lasting relationships with the people

year my focus is very much on the development of

outside of my Turkish circle of friends - some of whom

EPIEM, strengthening the relations with IIE America &

have become one of the most valued ones in my life.

Ireland, kicking off a new event series called “Events

Moreover, it is such a great feeling to have friends in

on education” which you’ll hear more about later, and

whichever corner of Europe you are travelling to. Even

establishing contacts with new educational institutions

though I sometimes happen to visit the same country

- let’s see what will come out of that in the following

more than once, my level of excitement never goes

months.

down as I know that there is always something new to see, learn and experience! P.S.: There is still quite some

Once you will be an ESTIEM-oldie like me - where will you

countries - and Local Groups - that I have not visited

be heading then?

yet but that are all on the first lines of my to-do list.

After my board year, I’ll still have one more year to be completely done with my Bachelor studies. Under

You know many former boardies - what did still surprise you

normal circumstances I should graduate this year, but

about the boardie-life when you eventually ended up there?

due to me travelling quite often and being very busy

To be honest, after talking with a bunch of former

with all of the ESTIEM activities I took only a few

boardies, hearing what they went through before

courses now, so next year I will be going back into

applying for the Board and observing their work, I had

the mindset of a normal university student. I am also

a broad picture of what it takes to be a boardie. What I

planning on working part-time at a company along with

have experienced so far is exactly what I was expecting

my studies. I have not decided whether I will continue

to happen. However, I am very much surprised with

my studies with a Master’s degree or if I’ll try to land

me being able to travel with a backpack for more than

a job and start working at a company right away. In

10 days on the road as I used to bring almost my whole

any case, I am not planning on staying in Istanbul but

wardrobe with me to the ESTIEM events. I would have

instead going abroad (I don’t have any special location

never imagined myself doing that before! Nowadays it

preferences at the moment) and living there at least for

is of course out of the question due to the sake of

a couple of years. ■

travelling cheap.

Education is ESTIEM’s most exciting field - how will you keep this out-of-the-box spirit and what comes next?

Yes, by now I can confirm your argument about education being ESTIEM’s most exciting field. Not only ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

29

Life after ESTIEM is nothing to wine about and is not that Bad Dürkheim

INSIDE ESTIEM

Spring is already here and everyone who has been in Finland knows about Wappu. Interesting that this celebration was one of the starting points how the success of Lutz Heissler started. Let me tell you more about how the best wine is made by an ESTIEM Alumnus.

The Vision

Lutz Heissler an ESTIEM Alumni having a vineyard in

Back in 1995, a simple guy from Germany came

Bad Dürkheim, Germany

to Helsinki via the International Business Linkage

Laine Šildere

Local Group Riga & Local Group Helsinki

30

programme. Joining the ESTIEM Council Meeting in

ago, he is still connected with ESTIEM Alumni and active

Tampere was the turning point in his ESTIEM career

as a member of the Advisory Board. “I remember at

and now he can look back to a lot of challenges,

ESTIEM’s 15th anniversary, Martin Schimpke stated in

adventures.

his speech: Soon we will be together with students who were born when we started ESTIEM”. Surprising how

You would ask me who am I talking about now, but I am

quickly time has passed! But what has changed since

asking back – have you seen those nice bottles of wine

then?

which are given as appreciations in Council Meetings?

Let me share with you some history, some key points

The fact how the management of ESTIEM was organised

which all of us should know about ESTIEM and Lutz

without an organisation-wide internet is hard to now.

Heissler.

Lutz was the Vice President of Administration when the newsletter was sent to some Local Groups by fax.

Even though Lutz was active in ESTIEM almost 20 years

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

“Communication is the key thing in the organisation,”

INSIDE ESTIEM

“

Lutz was the Vice President of Administration when the newsletter was sent to some Local Groups by fax.

he emphasises. The main difference is globalisation

explains Lutz, when asked about how to make a good

which determines other ways of working, since most

wine. The production chains looks like this:

of the things can be done virtually.

Lutz is sure this was a great decision – what can be Lutz says ESTIEM was something visionary, that did not

better than doing the job which you love?! Motivation

exist, but people were working hard to make it real. “It

and fun at the same time is when a winemaker sees the

was extraordinary, but possible!” says Lutz.

result in his hands.

But how comes Lutz spends his life in such a traditional

Hand craft of Nature

industry – winery?

Life is subordinated to the Nature. Yes, with a capital letter, because there is no “today I don’t want to...”

Switch

For me, as a simple girl from the countryside it is easy

After being “one wheel of many wheels” in a global

to understand that you can easily destroy the work of

manufacturing company, he decided to take over

years in one day. Nature is your boss, which you cannot

his uncle’s winery with his sister and start their own

negotiate with. It is not the programming, where you

business. That was not the first touch with wine – Lutz

can push the “undo” button. Either you do your job

spent all his childhood in wineries and kept working

now or you will have the next chance in a year. In order

with his uncle for four more years to get the best

to make the perfect product, there should not be too

possible practice.

many people interacting. Lutz’s winery is producing 150 000 bottles per year. The wine is totally their hand craft

“It is all about theory, experience and innovation,”

and he is responsible for that with his and sister’s signature.

The production chain of a good wine

Vineyard

Fermentation

Bottling

Marketing

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

31

INSIDE ESTIEM

Production of ESTIEM Wine in 2013

Effect of IEM You may ask what does winery has in common with Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM). Lutz explains it to me: “IEM gives you basic skills on how to acquire knowledge for solving the problem. You

“

IEM gives you basic skills how to acquire knowledge for solving the problem. You are also enough skilled to choose the right person to work with and how to evaluate his work.

are also skilled enough to choose the right person to work with and how to evaluate his work.” Lutz as a self-employee can manage the winery with 4.5 people,

Early ESTIEM Strategy Meeting at Heissler-Winery in 2000

where a wide background of IEM helps a lot. What we also want to say is do not be afraid of going opposite

life. Technologies are coming and passing by, but how

the traditional way of working in companies. Do your

about people? Lutz is still in touch with old friends and

own in your unique way.

what he says to ESTIEMers: “Come and visit me, we can talk more then with a glass of good wine.”

The key Sometimes you cannot know everything about the

The article shows how everyone from our network can

process, especially in winery, but the key point in making

go different ways in their careers, how to understand

the perfect wine is continuously a process of improving

the real values of work and to see how amazing Alumni

from vintage to vintage and to have always new ideas

we have. ■

on how to change. Thus, it is not always needed when you have already invented successful practices. I think it is the key of every single thing which we are doing in

32

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

Shaping the future is in the eye of an IEM professional

INSIDE ESTIEM

Have you ever wondered that the name ESTIEM is yet to become a byword for professionalism and responsibility? Have you ever thought that there is a way to ride the waves of others and at the same time produce waves for them? Our organisation is a beacon of hope and development and we all shall be aware of the fact that we can, what is more, should make Europe a better place in the future together.

a moral society where you learn to dream and make

Some people perceive ESTIEM as a party organisation

things real, or a dynamic situation in which intertwined

which sustains a great portfolio of ‘exciting holiday

series of happenings are leading young enthusiasts to

activities’ for students who are keen on travelling

see and reach the light at the end of the tunnel.

Csaba Hartmann

Local Group Budapest

You cannot judge a book by its cover

and exploring new things. Another group sees it as a place or ‘company’ where you are given the chance

Lively organisations can be understood when compared

to acquire soft and hard skills, thus become ready to

to holograms. Imagine that one is looking at a thing from

excel in career. Others experience it as a pan-European

a ‘different, individual angle’ so he or she establishes

family and convivial atmosphere with ubiquitous values,

his or her own portrayal of that thing. Creating a

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

33

INSIDE ESTIEM

“

supporting others in their development is an all-important, amazing activity

hologram requires multiple beams of light, but all of

people you can explore the opportunities and reflect

them come together at the end and shape a living thing.

upon the main aim of your existence. Later, when you

When thinking about organisations, we should bear in

will graduate and leave ESTIEM, you should not forget

mind that every one of us develops a unique way for

that you step in the role of supporting the newcomers.

perceiving the happenings and this keeps that person

Believe it or not, supporting others in their development

motivated and committed to the organisation. In

is an all-important, amazing activity.

ESTIEM, some of us are driven by different motivators, whilst others do not even know about those. In such

Where there is a will, there is a way

situations it is highly important to establish a platform

In a rare moment of candour it is reckless to say that

where the members can surreptitiously share their

panegyrising on the pleasures of pleasant happenings

thoughts and viewpoints, thus allowing others to

is utterly wrong. Recent situations in Europe, the

rediscover similar opportunities. If you don’t see the

scarcity of resources, debates around energy efficiency

values in ESTIEM at first sight do not be disappointed.

and issues of unemployment do not bode well for the

Look for opportunities to ask and start your endless

future of our continent, so what can we do?

discovery.

First of all, we should remain calm and spend some With the support of more ESTIEM-experienced

34

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

time to reflect upon ourselves. The profession of

INSIDE ESTIEM

Industrial Engineering and Management is marvellous.

Why? We learn how to understand ‘what’ needs to be delivered to customers, how to produce this ‘what’ on a high quality level and deliver it to them in the fastest way. So the question comes whether this is a broad or narrow scope of our future work?

In my opinion we should not approach the problem from the customers’ point of view, but from the society’s one. Our education, connections, technologies and ESTIEM allows us to obtain an amazing skill set throughout our early years of career, so why not using it for making profit for the society? In fact, it is not that difficult, however to see it you might have to alter your thinking from a pure economic to a more social-profit centred one.

I would recommend you to take a couple of hours during one of your evenings and think a bit about what is a ‘profit’ for your country or the society among

recycled elements. The process itself is useful to cut

you. After that try to come up with ways how you can

cost and to cut the environmental impact as well.

contribute to it. Then make yourself believe in it and share it with your friends. Finally, take your will and act.

Needless to say that our skill set supports us in competing for the best available jobs on the market,

As an example I would like to share with you the

but have you ever wondered that it supports us even

concept of ‘circular economy’. Due to the scarce

more to create jobs?

amount of resources (especially metals) industrialists conceived such processes, where the used materials

“

All the lessons I personally learned in ESTIEM and reflections upon them, helped me a lot to unveil my

Look for opportunities to ask and start your endless discovery

hidden incentives and realise what is the main aim of my existence. It is sometimes inspiring to evoke impactful memories from the past and see in what they resulted.

are entirely circulated back to certain stages of the

A lesson learned is a lesson earned. Take your time

value chain. This ensures that material waste and – in

to reflect upon yourself and the community, society

many cases – environmental pollution is kept at a low

around you. It will not simply pay off, but will make you

level. In such situations, however, many products have

grow as a wholesome person. ■

to be redesigned to be ready for the assembly with

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

35

Training and Development at Schaeffler

ADVERTORIAL

Our world is moving. An airplane disappears into

Human Capital Excellence

the clouds. A high-speed train glides past with barely

The people who work for us are our most important

a sound. A railway crossing gate opens and the car

asset. Across the board, from trainees to top managers,

engines start. Our products always play a part.

we are making targeted investments in the promotion and development of our staff on top of all the internal

Spencer Hockeborn

Specialist Product Development, Schaeffler

Wooster

Schaeffler develops and manufactures precision

training and advanced training and this means they are

products for everything that moves – in machines,

well prepared for the respective requirements at all

equipment, and vehicles as well as in aviation and

times, professionally, methodically and personally. We

aerospace applications. For over 60 sectors worldwide.

attach great importance to fostering a safe, healthy and motivating working environment. After all, we owe our

As a partner to all of the major automobile

success to the commitment and expertise of our staff.

manufacturers, as well as key players in the industrial sectors, we offer you many development opportunities.

Working With Us During your internship or employment as a student

How could your professional development look like?

worker you work on demanding, real projects.

“Training on the job” enables you to apply theoretical knowledge to specific tasks. As participant of the initiative “Fair Company”, we support you during your

Spencer Hockeborn, USA, Specialist Product

internship not only with an appropriate remuneration

Development, Schaeffler Wooster

but also with regular working-times and a collegial

Spencer participated at the “cross-cultural training

working-atmosphere.

Germany”: “Learning about the country-specific culture is a matter of respect and responsibility, when you are going to act as an expat. In this training I learned a lot about mutual perceptions and cultural differences both in a private environment and at work. This knowledge is especially important for communication because it helps to understand the actions and thinking of the German colleagues. This facilitates the interaction and daily business.”

36

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

ADVERTORIAL

“Our employees have always been our greatest

globally-active company refers not only to operational

asset. And this will remain so.”

skills and knowledge, but also to intercultural expertise.

Kurt Mirlach, Member of the Board, Labor Director No matter what your professional development Schaeffler Academy: Building blocks for your

at Schaeffler will look like, you will be laying the

professional career

foundation for a successful future with new challenges

Highly qualified employees are a key success factor in

and opportunities for development. Let us help you

global competition – now more than ever. Schaeffler

shape your future. Together we move the world!

has opened the Schaeffler Academy, a new advanced training center to house its range of training courses.

Schaeffler with its product brands INA, LuK and FAG

The Schaeffler academy is first and foremost a virtual

is a leading global provider of rolling bearing and

platform and a worldwide network. All training activities

plain bearing solutions and of linear and direct drive

in the Schaeffler Group will be bundled together here –

technology, as well as a renowned supplier to the

even across national boundaries.

automotive industry of high-precision products and systems for engines, transmissions and chassis. The

One of Schaeffler’s strengths is the fact that everybody,

group of companies with operations around the world

from trainees all the way through to top-level

generated revenue of approximately 11.2 billion euros

management, possesses a thorough awareness of

in 2013. With around 79,000 employees worldwide,

change and progress and of the need for permanent

Schaeffler is one of the largest German and European

improvement – and that includes advanced training and

technology companies in family ownership. With

lifelong learning. Especially lifelong learning within the

approximately 170 locations in 49 countries, Schaeffler has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, sales companies, engineering offices, and training centers. ■

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

37

Interview with Smartster

INSIDE ESTIEM

An interview with Andreas Swahn, founder of Smartster, a website where retailers can publish their offers in an easy way. Smartster proposed their idea during TIMES Semi-Final Gothenburg back in 2013 via a case study.

Isabel Azcรกrate

Local Group Gothenborg

What do you now about TIMES?

where they can actually get ahold of those products

TIMES is one of the largest case competitions in Europe.

and services in the physical world.

It was started back in 1994 as a way to try to help the students of ESTIEM to work more with companies

How did Smartster benefit from your participation in

and to give them a reason to get sponsorships from

TIMES?

companies and so on. One of the objectives was, of

Well I think the main benefit was the youthful energy

course, also to help the students to compete and get

from all the students that we had in Gothenburg, at

better at solving problems where engineering, business

the Chalmers University of Technology, eight different

and management come together in a proper context.

teams that competed in this specific case and could evaluate our business proposition. They had four hours

What made you as a company take part in TIMES and

to solve the case and then 20 minutes to give the jury

create a case?

their suggestions on how Smartster could develop a

We were able to get a very good contact with the

better product or ideas surrounding this product. And

project team from Chalmers University of Technology

also the fact that we could have this filmed and later

and they had a very good interesting proposition to

reviewed what the students had presented to us.

us where we could partly design our own case that was linked to a business idea and to actually launch

How do you think TIMES can help you in taking your

a company. In fact, we thought it was a good idea if

business to the European market?

we could have the support from a high number of

We believe that the way we can take take benefits from

European IEM students to actually test our idea with us.

TIMES and the ESTIEM network is the fact that there

And on the basis of that input and feedback see if we

are 60 000 students on top level across Europe and a

could develop our company and idea about Smartster

few of them might actually become future employees

into a real business.

of our company. And now since we have these good links between ourselves, ESTIEM and TIMES a few of

Tell us a bit about Smartster, what does Smartster do?

them already know Smartster , which means they can

Smartster is a digital galleria or ecosystem for offers

already , as a result of the case, tell friends of them

where we gather offers from physical stores and

about it. There was a team from Istanbul, Finland , and

e-shops and we are making these offers available online

all different parts of Europe, I think that will really help

through a website, mobile site as well as an app in the

us go forward.

future, where the consumers get a chance to actually

38

visit the site and view the most relevant offers for

What do you think about the quality of the case

them. And if they find something that is very good

competition?

they can purchase the items directly online and either

I think the quality is really high, on the one hand these

have it delivered to their home or they would find out

are very high and ambitious students studying IEM,

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

INSIDE ESTIEM so generally they are an interesting group of talented individuals, then of course those who decide to take part in the competition, I guess they traditionally are above average among their peers. So it’s an interesting group within the talented group which we are actually addressing. And those who actually make it to a Semi-

About Smartster

Final or the European Final are, of course, very talented.

The main reason that Smartster was created was the constant bombardment of all direct mail to all

What are the biggest advantages for a company to take

households. There are many great deals that are

part in TIMES?

included in these flyers, but the process of cutting down

I think the main advantages are simply that you may

trees, make paper, design, print and distribute these are

have an existing model, or a new business model, tested

both expensive and environmentally bad. Smartster is

or in various ways checked whether it is something that

a web site where retailers can publish their offers in

this particular target audience feels it as a good product,

an easy way. By having all deals gathered on one site

a good thing to launch. Can they make a financial

makes it considerably easier for customers who instead

estimation on the basis of that particular product? And

of going into each and every online shop to see what

I don’t really see any negative sides for the companies

discounts they have, now can go to one page to find

taking part in this type of competition. It thus of course

them all.

requires a little bit of investment, in terms of time to prepare the case and having a few company delegates attending the event. But the up side is definitely worth

can open themselves up more, so when the student

a lot more than the actual investment.

organisations contact them, they should listen more to what they actually have to offer. There are many

How would you compare it towards having an outside

things the companies can benefit from, but that also

consultancy?

requires that they should ask something in return.

I think that with the outside consultants you can maybe

So when the students come and ask “can you please

reach a certain degree, get more expected results since

sponsor anything?”. Don’t ask what the price is, ask

they do more research. By having here, in this case, 8

instead what you can get in return from that. Because

different student teams working on it, you get a big of a

the students very often are willing to work hard on

variety of answers depending on their level of studies,

delivering something for you.

how long they studied, which part of Europe they are from. And that is a very interesting element. And also

How do you think companies can benefit from having

the students, they dare to say things which the mature

contact and cooperation with ESTIEM?

consultants wouldn’t necessarily tell you.

I think the main benefit that companies can get from ESTIEM is of course the fact that it is a European

What positive aspects do you see in having students as

network of students. So if you are already some sort

consultants?

of company with a reasonable size and you want to

Well I think in general the true advantage for the

expand your brand, your recruitment or other things

students here is that they will be able to work together

that relate to going international, I think linking up with

with the companies and at the same time for the

ESTIEM can really help you do that. It is most likely a

companies is being able to get the added value from

very cost and time efficient way to get access to the

the young dynamic students, that really tell us what

most talented students in Europe, but this can be driven

we want to hear, but we may not necessarily get those

from the students having ideas, or you as a company

answers from the established consultants.

getting in touch with the local student organisations, and since ESTIEM now has around 74 local groups, that

In which way could we get it easier for a company to adapt

means that in all European countries you have a local

the idea of taking part in TIMES, or to be a part in the

ESTIEM group and they can open the doors for you to

ESTIEM network?

other countries. ■

Well I think number one, either for the companies to actively get in touch with ESTIEM, TIMES or similar other student organisations is the help they can get from all of these talented individuals, or the way they ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

39

Lily’s impressions from Europe3D Madrid

INSIDE ESTIEM

I am Lily and I am a non-ESTIEMer. Until the previous summer I had no idea that such an organisation exists. I am really thankful to Yusuf Taşlı, who told me about ESTIEM.

Lily Gubayeva

Non-ESTIEMer, Russia

I could not believe it at first. I applied and I got accepted,

Once I came to the hostel, a friendly atmosphere

considering myself really lucky and happy!

welcomed me. The organisers were smiling in anticipation and I saw that they had been waiting for

Arriving in Madrid earlier than everyone else, I wanted

that day for a long time. The Spanish course (Tienes

to walk around, to look at life, at the people, to feel

unos ojos preciosos – we will remember it until the end

the city. It was my first time visiting Europe. Two days

of our lives I suppose) and speed dating, dinner at a

later it was easier for me to speak English than Russian.

nearby pub, watching Real Madrid playing. Disco and

Everything was just perfect. All the Spaniards seemed

first acquaintances, photos and great mood! I felt like

incredible. On the first day I saw a manifestation against

‘yes, I am in the right place! I did it!’

Coca-Cola on the main square and a “laughing” flash mob. My beautiful host Maria was always singing and

The next days were quite productive. Every day we

I adored that positive thinking. I did not even feel the

woke up very early, in our room the song “Happy” was

time passing by. My dream felt like it was finally was

being turned on, listening to it I felt in high spirits. The

coming true. Madrid is such a soft, easy, quick and slow,

organisers divided us into two groups, trying to hurry

beautiful, bright, different city. Everyone should go

us, but we were enjoying it so much, that we did not

there to feel it.

want to yield to leaving, justifying ourselves with “we

At the same time I longed so much for this upcoming

are in Spain, relax”.

event. I did not know what to expect from it, what

40

people I would meet, what we would do, that it would

We learned a lot about the economy and politics of

be as awesome as I was told. Well, I was worrying in

Spain, visiting different companies, the Senate, listening

vain.

to lectures of ETSII’s professors. The organisers

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

INSIDE ESTIEM

arranged an interesting excursion to the Prado

me of a camp, we were like children with the organisers

museum, which helped a lot to be imbued with the

as our leaders. They really led us. They let us discover

Spanish art. We understood why the crisis had come,

new amazing places and things about Spain and Spanish

learned the right way to taste wine and how ro cook

people. They planted the ESTIEM spirit in me, in a non-

tortilla. We ate jamon and drank sangria. We were told

ESTIEMer. Big thanks personally to Javier Casco (as a

about the enormous differences in culture (about the

project leader of E3D Madrid) and all the organisers!

cultural shock in particular) and in perception about the

You did an excellent job.

world by different nationalities. The organisers asked us to speak our native languages at the awareness training

The last days I was very tired, but really happy.

so that we had to ask each other and write down some

Europe3D Madrid was unforgettable for me. So many

necessary information, trying to understand what the

friends from all over the world who were saying “hey

others are saying. We watched bulls teasing - and

Lily, if you want to come to my country some day just

supported the bulls. We tasted fideua at one of the

write me on Facebook and I will arrange everything”. I

organisers’ house, and I think we did not reduce much

love these people. Each one of them is ambitious, kind,

of the stock, as there was enough for another hundred

positive, merry, singing ESTIEM songs and doing what

hungry students. We were singing ESTIEM songs

he or she really wants. It is their life. It is my life.

in the metro, making common people feel curious, embarrassed or irritated - it depended. We almost

And thanks to Europe3D Madrid, for me, the world

did not sleep and tried to survive the various parties,

doesn’t seem that big anymore.■

pub crawlings and this was the most difficult thing, the International night.

Every day was very busy – everyone together like one big family. We travelled around the city, from the hostel to different places and did not only see the ‘tourist’sights. Sometimes our organised crowd even reminded

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

41

Baku, where ancient and modernism meet and blend with each other

INSIDE ESTIEM

Baku – the farthest eastern part of ESTIEM has been officially introduced at the Council Meeting in Ankara Bilkent as a Guest Group. From the very start we got extensive support and interest from the university board and we could even receive written recognition from the Ministry of Youth after a year. Our event participation increased in the course of time and ultimately, we organised an Exchange with Local Group Budapest in February 2014.

Sanan Aliyev

Local Group Baku

Despite the fact that it is already the 3rd year since the

almost Europe but is also Asia, and this contradiction

existence of LG Baku, the big distance from other Local

of sorts is what makes the country distinct from

Groups prevents a more agile development. Hence, we

its neighbours. Azerbaijan is an incredible tangle of

work hard to get more active and spread ESTIEM spirit

contradictions and contrasts. It is a fascinating nexus of

within the Azerbaijan Technical University.

ancient historical empires.

Apparently, the conventional people outside Azerbaijan

5 reasons to visit Azerbaijan

know very little about this country, especially those that

1.

are not part of the Baltic region or from former USSR blocs. Below, I will give some interesting information

Fire 2.

about Baku and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is located in Eurasia’s Caucasus Region,

42

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

Monuments included into UNESCO World Heritage list

3.

9 out of 11 world climatic zones are found here.

4.

The largest salty lake of the planet - The Caspian

flanking Eastern Europe and Western Asia. This is the reason why Azerbaijan is having an identity crisis. It is

The spirit of fire and the secrets of the Land of

Sea 5.

A unique national cuisine of Azerbaijan

INSIDE ESTIEM

The centre of the nation is its capital, Baku. The city lies

looking out over the vast Caspian Sea, the world’s

on the southern edge of the Absheron peninsula on the

largest lake. There is a distinctive Mediterranean

shores of the glittering Caspian Sea. This is where the

ambiance in this part of town, where the café culture is

action is, so to speak. The petroleum-fueled wealth is

king. You can also make a real sea-voyage by pleasure-

on displaying on the skyscrapers dominating the city. At

boat along the Baku Bay. From there, you will be taken

its centre, however, is a UNESCO historical site.

by cable-railway to Upland Park, which commands a breathtaking panorama of the city.

The heart of Baku is the Old City, a UNESCO heritage site and this inner city is one of the few surviving

The city has the reputation for providing an energetic

medieval towns in the country. Within its walls, a maze

nightlife, and a lot of nightclubs that are open till dawn

of narrow cobbled streets, ancient caravanserais and

are situated all over Baku. The majority of the bars

courtyards surrounds the 12th century Maiden Tower

and pubs are situated close to Fountain Square and are

and the ornate Palace of the Shirvanshahs.

regularly open till the morning’s early hours. There are numerous Irish, Scottish, and British style pubs.

The central part of Baku forms an amphitheatre that slopes down to Baku Bay and the Boulevard. The

The energetic pace of the city runs on past dusk, when

Boulevard is a focal meeting place and has a buzzing

the three Flame Towers come to life with their giant LED

social scene, with al fresco dining and bar terraces

displays to signal the start of the evening. Fragments of

Source: http://www.baku2015.com

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

43

INSIDE ESTIEM

live music can be heard on the street corners enticing music-lovers to experience home-grown rock bands, the ever-popular karaoke bars, Baku’s unique jazz or some traditional mugam folk.

A three-hour drive takes you to local villages teeming with green orchards with the Caucasus Mountains as their backdrop. Here, one will feel the striking contrast of laidback country life against Baku’s fast-paced city life. Cattle replace the limos and teahouse terraces edge out skyscrapers.

Even though Baku is a bit far from most of the Local Groups, we are willing to spread the ESTIEM spirit in our university and we hope many students will live the ESTIEM spirit in Baku by participating in a (possible) Europe 3D Azerbaijan in the future.■

44

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

From IEM student to Polish teacher: Everything is possible within ESTIEM

INSIDE ESTIEM

My adventure with the Language Programme began when Malna, the project leader of Europe3D, told me that she would like to have a Polish language course during the Europe 3D Coordination Meeting in Warsaw.

took me two days because I wanted to take care of

accepted the challenge. Afterwards, I started thinking

every detail so I would not disappoint Malna and the

I had no experience in this field and no knowledge on

participants.

Emilia Gębska

Local Group Warsaw

The idea was really appealing to me and that is why I

how to prepare the course, so this was the main reason for contacting the leader of the Language Programme Initiative. She sent me an example of the presentation and gave me advice on how to create this course.

“

Polish grammar has exceptions than rules.

more

It helped me to make the first step. I started searching

Finally, the 29th of January came and I was standing

on the internet and looked for information about the

in front of 25 students from all over Europe and had

Polish language. This searching session taught me more

one single aim: to teach them a few words in Polish.

facts than I have learned during elementary school.

I was really stressed and began with the question:

Did you know that an average Pole becomes fluent in

What comes first to your mind when you hear the

Polish at the age of 16? This surprised me, too. Another

word “Poland”? There were several different answers

thing: many people think that the Polish language is

such as “Polish apples” and “Robert Lewandowski”.

the most difficult one in the world. This made me a

Afterwards I checked their knowledge about Poland by

bit nervous and I thought: “It will be a real challenge!”

holding a small quiz. I was surprised since they knew the

But nonetheless, I started creating my presentation. It

answers to every question.

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

45

INSIDE ESTIEM

Some Polish sentences English

Polish

Pronunciation

To Your Health!

Na Zdrowie!

Na strovia

Hi, Hello, Bye

Czesc

Chesht

How are you?

Jak sie masz?

Yac shye mash?

Good

Dobrze

Dobzheh

So, so

Tak sobie

Takh sobieh

I don’t understand

Nie rozumiem

Nyeh rozoomieah

Yes

Tak

Takh

No

Nie

Nyeh

Good morning

Dzien dobry

Djane dobryh

Good evening

Dobry wieczor

Dobryh veechoorh

Good night

Dobranoc

Dobrahnots

Goodbye

Do widzenia

Doh vitseneeah Later on, I explained how the Polish language works and they were a bit shocked when I told them that the Polish grammar has more exceptions than rules.

After that, to terrify them even more I showed them the Polish alphabet and made them read it. I felt like a teacher, asking them to repeat the words and pointing out people to ask someone else’s names.

At the end I asked them to read out some difficult Polish sentences and even members of Local Group Warsaw read them wrong. After the course, I gave participants the handouts and it made me happy when some of them tried to use sentences in Polish during the rest of the event. This meant that my hard work had not been for nothing and therefore I recommend it to everyone else. If you have an opportunity to do it, do not hesitate because you can learn a lot, have fun and help students to understand your language a little bit more. ■

46

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

Europe 3D CoM insights

INSIDE ESTIEM

Three times the value: that is what the Europe3D Coordination Meeting in Warsaw gave me. My name is Ou Yan and I was a participant of this wonderful event that happened between 29th of January and 2nd of February 2014.

very well prepared and left me something to remember,

what to expect from these five days. I did attend

nothing will be more memorable than the Corporate

another ESTIEM event before this CoM, but the

Relations session I delivered with Marija. I remember

type of event was different, so I felt like exploring an

working on the presentation the night before, right after

uncharted part of the world. Also, about the project

coming back from a party. I remember the participants

itself, I knew the basics of how Europe3D worked, but

and I remember them being amused during the call

nothing substantial, so I was also curious to learn more

simulation (female voice, for all the people who were

about it. On a general note, I wanted to give my input

there and do not remember).

Ou Yan

Board of European Students of Technology

Since I am a member of BEST, I did not really know

to the project as a BEST member and take something back home.

I can now say that I know what Europe3D is and

“

what it represents. In these few days I learned a lot

I wanted to give my input to the project as a BEST member and take something back home.

more about Poland, Warsaw in particular. We had lectures about Polish language and economics, learned more about its history and tasted the local cuisine.

We worked together on social media, delivered and

Now I can proudly say that whatever expectations

attended training sessions, saw the city of Warsaw on

I could have set, this event would have fulfilled them

-10 degrees and sang all together in a karaoke bar. The

all. I arrived and I immediately felt the Europe3D spirit

definition of what I would call “Work hard, play hard”.

in the air. Everyone was friendly and open minded about everything, eager to learn and give their input

Thanks to ESTIEM, and a special thanks to Málna for

to improve the project. It was a familiar sensation, as if

giving me the chance to attend this event and making

I was attending one of our own events. I felt at home.

me gain memories and friends. ■

While all the sessions and activities of the event were

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

47

An event dedicated to working hard and playing hard!

INSIDE ESTIEM

Trainers on Tour

Nataliya Roskladka

Local Group Kiev

All events in ESTIEM always give excellent emotions and

but in our everyday life - everything what you are doing

good experiences. One of the most important events

- facilitating meetings, giving presentations, speaking in

for personal development is ToT. Within this project

front of big crowds, negotiating situations, something

we can find diverse benefits for every participant! This

about family relationships, dealing with crisis, change

is a really good opportunity for not only personal, but

management etc

also for the ESTIEM development.

Trainings give a great motivational boost to the In the middle of December 2013 Local Group Kiev

participants by showing the professional side of ESTIEM

organised Trainers on Tour and despite the turbulent

in a practical way. All participants of ToT increasingly

political situation, it seemed that we were doing so

learned and acquired new skills and competences

great.

outside the traditional setting of the classroom. Only challenges and the self-motivation to engage in those

Trainers chose their favourite training topics and

challenges will transform us. And every challenge we

covered them not only with memorable examples,

face creates a more skilful self. It all really enhances

but also with bright comparisons. We spoke about

professionalism and favours self-improvement.

teambuilding and teamwork, the art of presentation, leadership and company relations and partnerships.

Except the learning part, ToT also includes amazing

Trainers taught us interesting rules and tips on how

activities after trainings. It is possible to show the culture

to give some useful advice. So trainers shared their

of your country for the guests. You improve your hard

knowledge, skills and attitude.

and soft skills and you feel spiritually enriched. In Kiev we visited the Museum of Historical Treasures and saw

And all of this happened in the awesome ESTIEM spirit

the famous gold Pectoral, many astonishing decorations

with exciting games and magic energisers, that give one

of princes and hetman wealthy families, As well as any

the necessary positive energy and inspire new ideas, so

other event, this one offered the opportunity to see

that one can be ready to work again.

the next new or familiar city in which one can have a wonderful time and hang out with his/her European

Also trainers should develop themselves and look for

friends.

new challenges. Throughout the training sessions they improve many skills as well. Trainings would be more

So it is really great when all participants are together

efficient if a trainer has a bright and clear picture in his/

discussing a fascinating subject, share different opinions,

her mind about what he/she expects from it. So it helped

learn to perceive feedbacks from others and thus grow

to redefine presentation skills as well. Besides improving

together. Consequently, on ToT all people gained

communication, leadership, psychological, teaching and

important experiences, worked on their personal

adapting skills, there was also one very important set of

development and of course had a great time and lots

skills that were discussed – negotiation skills. All of this

of fun. â–

can be used not only when organising ESTIEM events, 48

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

TIMES Semi-Final in Moscow

INSIDE ESTIEM

It was a sunny winter day quite unusual for the

just the most interesting, logical and beneficial. Later on

northern city, where the citizens are used to the grey

Case Tacklers presented their solution to the jurors.

sky and to the cold wind blowing from the shore. Three

The jury members asked many questions and required

girls carried the hand bags and walked to the Central

for the detailed answers. Later on every team received

railway station. Their secret name was Case Tacklers.

a constructive feedback from the judgers.

When the case-solving part of the first day was finished,

Tacklers had a mission: to win TIMES Semi-Final.

the participants went to prepare for the informal evening. The meeting took place in the city centre

Case Tacklers had the idea to participate in TIMES

and Case Tacklers had time to see Moscow’s sunset.

Semi-Final long time ago. It did not seem to be easy.

Their tutor made a walking tour from the dormitory

Case Tacklers had won the Local Qualification stage

to the Sadovoye circle, the central road of Moscow.

in Saint Petersburg. However, the competitors of

The street lights turned on and the night life started.

the Semi-Final were supposed to be much more

Thousands of cars were driven, citizens were walking;

experienced. Girls expected to face challenging cases

shops, bars and clubs invited everyone to come in. It

and strict jurors.

seemed like «Moscow never sleeps»!

“

TIMES offers inspiration decision making

in

Svetlana Smirnova

They were a bit nervous but excited, because Case

Local Group St Petersburg

Girls caught the train from Saint Petersburg to Moscow.

The Case Tacklers went to the club where TIMES participants were parting. Finally the girls got acquainted with the other teams. There were many students from

The train “Blue Arrow” arrived at Moscow late in

Sweden, Germany, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Serbia and

the evening. Case Tacklers were warmly welcomed

Finland. It was a truly international atmosphere and the

by the organizers and drived to the dormitory. The

girls were very pleased to be the part of the project!

night before the case-study was sleepless. Every

They even heard that one Swedish girl came from

team member was thinking about the competition.

Tokyo to Moscow specially to take a part in TIMES!

Case Tacklers saw none of the other participants, they couldn’t even predict their opponents. That was

The next day was eventful. The organizers of LG

mysterious.

Moscow prepared the city tour included Kremlin visit, excursion to the University museum and to the Space

Early in the morning the team was ready to the first

museum.

part of the tournament. It is worth to tell that the Case Tacklers had a team leader. He was responsible

In the morning, TIMES participants took a metro to

for helping them , especially during the first days in the

get to the centre. It was a crowded subway, people

unknown city. The team leader always took care about

were in a hurry and kept poker faces! The guys left

the food for the girls, the way from the dormitory to the meeting place and back.

That morning in Moscow was sunny as well. The smell of the spring soared into the air. Semi-Final took place in the Moscow State Technical University. Case Tacklers heard a lot of positive references about the University.

They were inspired to see that. The University was huge and had many buildings where the students of different specialties could study. The girls were guided to the chosen place for case-solving and provided with the necessary equipment and the case itself.

The team had only three hours and half to read the case, work it out and describe the appropriable solution. Case Tacklers applied the professional skills as well as time management. The working process was fruitful. Many ideas were suggested. The girls selected ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

49

INSIDE ESTIEM

the metro and came to the heart of Moscow. They

them and join the activities. That relaxed us and gave us

could see wonderful view on the red walls of Kremlin,

self-confidence» - Case Tacklers explained later.

Bolshoy theater, the roof of the huge underground shopping center Ohotniy Ryad and other picturesquare

The time went by fast. Soon the most impressive and

sightseeing. The organizers guided the participants

unforgettable part of TIMES – Gala Dinner had started!

through the Alexandrovsky garden to the Kremlin

Everyone was waiting for the Gala, because it provided

entrance. The territory of Kremlin was full of historical

a chance to contact the jurors informally and ask them

churches; from the viewpoint we saw Moscow river,

for their personal feedback, to have fun, and to enjoy

huge modern skyscrapers and old multistage buildings

the last project day. Lastly we all wanted to know the

covered with fog. TIMES participants also visited

results of the tournament!

the Red Square where they built Vasily Blazshenny Cathedral. When everybody had enough, after many

Gala Dinner took place in Georgian restaurant. The

group photos on the camera, the participants went

participants tried traditional Georgian food mixed with

back to the University to grab some lunches and

hospitality of LG Moscow.

continue the day!

“

TIMES awarding ceremony started. The jury had a

For sure TIMES gave them a unique experience.

positive feedback for every team. Case Tacklers got the sixth place! The girls took part in the first serious casesolving competition, that’s why the result motivated

The most excited part of the daily agenda was the

them. Serbia, the team from Stockholm, Finnish guys,

Space museum. TIMES participants could see the

Munich became four best teams of the Semi-Final. The

small models of the spaceships and satellites and a

girls from Linköping became the winners of TIMES

real spacesuit. Case Tacklers found the pattern of the

Semi-Final and will continue to compete in Final in

capsule used by spacemen when going into space. The

Norway! None of the participants and organizers slept

guys even saw the spaceship from the inside! Moreover

that night! They had the best time of their lives!

every museum hall was accompanied with the pictures of planets; they made a real cosmic atmosphere!

The very next day, Case Tacklers sat in the train on its way back to Saint Petersburg. The girls discussed the

The work of the organizers should be emphasized.

unforgettable moments and shared their impressions.

They always were energetic,enthusiastic and they invented various teambuilding games! However the

For sure TIMES gave them a unique experience.

participants kept in mind that TIMES tournament was

Firstly the girls strived to apply theoretical knowledge,

going on. Everybody went to bed earlier to recover

develop analytical and presentation skills. Secondly,

from the exhausting day.

they communicated with the experienced students from various countries. Case Tacklers are definitely

There was the last day of February and winter but

planning to foster those contacts! Thirdly, the girls had

not the least! Coincidentally, it was the final day of

an opportunity to contact directly the representatives

TIMES Semi-Final, thus the most important. The

of the companies. Furthermore, the participation fee

participants got the case from the large consulting

of TIMES Semi-Final was covered by the organizers!

company. Case Tacklers found the task difficult. In spite of the numerous numbers and data, time limits,

Case Tacklers truly believe they will take a part in the

the girls managed to find a solution. It is worth to tell

tournament next year. TIMES gives inspiration to make

that the second presentation was much better. «It was

decisions! ■

significant to get to know the other participants, contact 50

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

Project, Committee and Initiative updates Vision

Knowledge Management Committee

After Council Meeting Portugal, within the Vision

It has been a busy and eventful start of the year for the

Central Team we have worked very hard to achieve

Knowledge Management Committee (often shortened

many of our goals. In the Vision Project we have

to KMC). In addition to introducing a new Committee

INSIDE ESTIEM

Leader we have also selected new Team Leaders ■

Created Vision PR Materials (Poster, T-Shirts, ties)

for both the Feedback System and Best Practice

■

Set up seven different task groups: Academic,

Documents teams. We have also had the pleasure

Corporate Relations, Public Relations, Feedback,

of taking in many new enthusiastic members into our

Media, Grants, Cocktail

Committee and continuing our important work with

Organised 6 Vision Events in Istanbul, Karlsruhe,

our existing team of hard-working knowledge keepers.

■

Gothenburg & Lund, Helsinki &Tampere, Ankara ■

■

and Novi Sad

One of the most important topics that the KMC will be

Started to make preparations for Vision Gdansk,

involved with this year is setting up a new Task Group

Vision Calabria and Vision Final Conference

that has the main task of gathering knowledge from the

Skopje.

different bodies of ESTIEM. Currently the initiative is

Prepared event reports for the already organised

being evaluated and refined into its final form, but we

Vision

can proudly say that the end result will be something

Customer

Relationship

Management

events.

■ ■ ■

that ESTIEM has never witnessed before.

Had individual chats with the organisers and had strong communication with the organisers.

Apart from letting our imagination fly off with passionate

Established the Vision newsletter email system for

new ideas, we are also continuing the steady and hard

promoting upcoming Vision events

work the KMC is best known for: covering all events

Improved the Vision Buddy Concept : writing

with Feedback and providing ESTIEM members access

event reports, evaluating and preparing feedback

to a wide selection of Best Practice Documents. We

reports, preparing academic reports, etc

can happily announce that with the tweaks that have been applied already and the upcoming plans we have, 2014 will be an unforgettable year for the Knowledge Management Committee.

Public Relations Committee

ESTIEM Book

So far, the Public Relations Committee has had a good

The ESTIEM Book is closing in with the finish line in

start for 2014.

sight, at this Council Meeting we will elect the host of the Spring CM 2015 – the 50th in ESTIEM’s history, 25

The Design Team created with utmost care the T-shirts

years after the idea of ESTIEM was born in Darmstadt.

and posters that will be distributed at the Council

That will also be the place, where the 25 years of

Meeting in Istanbul-Boğaziçi. It has been also assisting

ESTIEM-Book will be presented in all its glory for the

Local Groups, Projects and Committees with a variety

first time.

of other designs (stickers, roll-ups, nametags).

During the last semester, we worked hard on the During the Coordination Meeting, the team evaluated

articles, in cooperation with all Local Groups and with

the ESTIEM Online PR survey, which was sent out in

many Projects, Committees and Initiatives and even

February, resulting to 350 replies from active ESTIEMers.

with some Alumni. We managed to gather a lot of

The results lead to the creation of a database that

content and are looking forward to present you many

contains sources for ESTIEM’s social media channels.

great stories from all generations.

Currently we work on defining ESTIEM’s Online PR strategy for 2014.

We wrote many articles ourselves (and are still continuing to do so) and started working with different

The current Team is motivated and excited to promote

design ideas in order to make the Book look as good

ESTIEM on all levels. With only one aim in mind: Take

as ESTIEM is. Additionally, we started investigating

ESTIEM to higher grounds.

different options and offers on how to print the ESTIEM Book and finance the whole concept.

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

51

INSIDE ESTIEM

Europe 3D

Members Committee

Europe3D has been aiming for the stars this year,

The year kicked of with approaching all Guest Groups

every Europe3D Family member started off with huge

to make sure they are still motivated to contribute to

expectations and determination to achieve something

ESTIEM, so we now have a very good overview of all

special together. With the help of the new team leaders

our Guests. We also have been working on supporting

and responsibles we made the life of the project very

the Guests and Observers by having a chat with them.

eventful.

So we hope to see our Guests and Observers taking big steps these year.

We have two successful Europe3D events behind us, where we introduced brand new concepts like

Furthermore we have two new Guest Groups since

Europe3D Mate, Social Media Responsible (follow our

Council Meeting Portugal, Sarajevo and Târgu Mureș.

events in real time!), mid-term feedback and knowledge

So ESTIEM is still growing and due to our high growth

and perception questionnaires.

rate during these past years the Membership team has now begun discussing the Growth Strategy of ESTIEM.

Our finance team was working hard to find companies to sponsor our T-shirts and our booklets, and the joint

The Human Resources Task Group is working on

effort of grants task group and organising LGs resulted

creating a Get Active video, which we hope to have

in an awesome application.

ready soon. Furthermore they are also working on new tasks like posting event reports and sharing videos with

Meanwhile, our PR Team was very active, we not

recruitment tips on Facebook.

only enhanced the Facebook visibility, but brought our promotion to a next level. PR Guidelines for organisers,

After a great Coordination Meeting in Braunschweig,

webpage redesign and creating new gadgets are having

the Members Committee now has several new ideas

rapid progess as well.

to implement during the year, so stay tuned. Because we care!

Training Committee

Grants Commmittee

It has been a very special year for ESTIEM Trainings

The last half a year was not a silent one. The Local

Committee - a year full of new stars, new hearts and

Responsible Forum in Bremen got granted. Joris took

new destinations.

over from Denitsa as Grants Committee (GC) Leader.

The new Erasmus+ programme of the European

Shining stars can be seen in the eyes on new Trainings

Committee was introduced. The Finance Forum will be

Committee members who joined our team this year

organised in Eindhoven from 5 till 10 September.

and have already implemented a lot to help the youngest Committee of ESTIEM advance one step further.

The GC’s goal is to help Local Groups, Projects and Central ESTIEM with applying for grants. To be able

Even more hearts were fascinated by trainings and

to do this, we need to know all about the grants

ESTIEMers were united thanks to the new Trainers

opportunities, so the Erasmus+ programme was an

that entered the magical Training World to deliver even

important change for us. We managed to get familiar

more trainings all over our network.

with it and applied for grants for Europe3D Poland and Braintrainer Kranj in the first round of the new

New destinations were reached by Trainers on Tour,

programme, just after our great Coordination Meeting

including Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal and Italy and even

in Kaunas. We are now working on applications for the

more countries are waiting for Loveleaves to come in

second round (deadline 30 April) for the Finance Forum

2014.

and Braintrainer Groningen. Also, we are working on a new type of grant: Strategic Partnerships.

ESTIEM Trainings Committee – with passion to grow in 2014.

Thanks to our great and motivated people we will continue our great work and make this year successful!

52

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

INSIDE ESTIEM

Social and Environmental Initiative

Financial and Legal Committee

The Social and Environmental Initiative (SERI) aims at

Financial and Legal Committee put a lot of effort in

making a change within ESTIEM and raise awareness on

improving the local support this year. The Budget

the challenges that our planet faces.

Task Group has become active and currently helping local organisers on budgeting. The Legal Team has

In these past months, our Green Event Consulting

tackled with many legal issues. Most importantly, a

Team has been encouraging organisers to reduce their

newborn event concept to give financial knowledge to

event’s ecological footprint by gathering easy to use

ESTIEMers, the Finance Forum, was created and was

& cost-saving approaches. A new Local Group Green

already scheduled for September.

Ranking System has also been developed.

After having a very productive Coordination Meeting in Updating the CO2 Calculator is another topic we are

Kragujevac and working on important financial and legal

working on. Carbon emissions of any trip between

topics, the Financial and Legal Committee has a more

Local Groups according to the means of transportation

powerful structure and a bigger team now.

are calculated; this can always be checked before Information Technology Committee

making a booking or before travelling.

When you hear this you can be sure a nerd is right Furthermore, we are currently looking for an organiser

behind you. Everything is about people. About the

to develop the SER event: a really efficient event totally

people which are in the team. Which are around. Who

focused on responsible actions such as volunteering.

supports or criticizes. In the end ITC just tries to do its best.

Lastly, the team is discussing the idea of a Responsibility

We recently set up a new server. Did you notice that

Committee and will start with a trial after Council

any page on the Portal opens before you even think

Meeting Istanbul to check if it would help ESTIEM. It

about it? It’s faster than Usain Bolt now! Special thanks

will be great to see all your contributions to take SERI

go to Israel Pohl, Tibor Weigel, Alp Altinturk and Local

one step further.

Group Berlin for this.

I still think that everyone in the IT Committee is a

BrainTrainer

unique person. They do the hard work. Day by day,

BrainTrainer had a really great kick-off in 2014 thanks

every week. They try to make the Portal comfortable

to the fact that after Council Meeting Portugal quite

and easy to use for any ESTIEMer. They are always

a few motivated ESTIEMers joined our team and we

ready to help. And I’m proud to work with all of them.

immediately started our work together.

Superheroes are in the ITC team!

In the beginning of the year we chose the organising

Summer Academy

Local Groups for the upcoming BrainTrainer events:

A year of change, that is how we could describe a

Groningen

“magnifico”

year in the Summer Academy project. This summer

Coordination Meeting (CoM) -organised by LG

and

Kranj.

During

our

we will have 2 new events and our professor

Milan in Como - our main focus was to set goals and

Dietrich’s Academy shifted the topic even more

guidelines for these events and to find a way to improve

towards leadership. We looked for possibilities for

the visibility and the understanding of the project in

the ERASMUS+ grant and during the Coordination

ESTIEM. We started the CoM with an amazing training

Meeting in Dortmund all the Summer Academies came

delivered by our guests from Local Best Group Milan.

to be viewed under a different glance as it use to be. So, to be more specific:

After the Coordination Meeting we worked on the Grants application for both events that will take place

■

in Kranj and Groningen, started the elaboration of

Excellence: Deep Systems Thinking for the Future

the BrainTrainer company brochure and updated the internal and external portal pages. Furthermore, one of

Dr. Larry Stapleton - “Engineering Management of Europe”, June 16th – 25th in Novi Sad, Serbia.

■

Prof. Dietrich Brandt & Toon Ariens - “Leadership

our most important goals for this year is to plan a 3rd -

for

joint event together with another student organisation.

technology“, July 26th – August 9th in Lisbon,

the

Future:

People,

organisation

and

Portugal.

■

Gregory H. Watson - “The Intellectual Roots of Industrial Management“, June 30th – July 6th in Helsinki, Finland.

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

53

EXPLORE EUROPE

Student life in Trondheim

Arjen Martens

Local Group Trondhoven

My journey in the beautiful Norwegian city of

University Life

Trondheim started on the 1st of August 2013 with

At NTNU I started a Master’s program, which is

probably the most exciting and longest trip of my life.

called Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety

It started with packing my first 22 years on this earth

(RAMS). The program is offered by the department of

into one car. What followed was a two and a half day

Production and Quality Engineering. I am therefore not

long car ride towards a new chapter in my life. At this

part of the IEM department anymore, which is here in

moment I have no regret writing that new chapter for

Trondheim seen as one of the most competitive studies

a single second. For the last 8 months I have said at

at the university. This combined with NTNU being the

least once a day that moving to Trondheim was the best

best university for engineering in Norway means that

decision of my life.

studying in Trondheim for an exchange or Master’s is a great asset on one’s CV.

After getting my Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) at the University

The first positive aspect I have experienced from the

of Technology Eindhoven (TU/e) I had the urge to

first day onwards is the open and friendly atmosphere

explore something new in life, to broaden my horizon.

between students and professors. The classes are

Studying a Master’s program abroad seemed to be the

fairly small in regards to the number of students,

next logical step. However, I was restricted in options

which makes it possible for professors to guide you

due to my love for ESTIEM. Despite having limited

personally. Besides that, they seem to be very flexible. I

options, the choice was not an easy one, since I knew it

managed to change some mandatory courses for other

would determine the future of my life. Finally I decided

electives, because I believed those electives would

to continue my future at the Norwegian University of

be more beneficial for my future career. During this

Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim.

process I really perceived as the professors are really there for you, that they really want you to achieve the highest you can, rather than they are there just for their own proud and benefits.

Most of the things felt the same as at TU/e, which made adapting to NTNU very easy for me. However, I noticed a big difference in the division of the semester.

There are only exams at the end of the semester, with a study time of approximately one month before the exams start. This is exactly the reason why the semester itself feels rather relaxed and therefore I have enough free time to experience as much of the student life as possible.

54

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

EXPLORE EUROPE

Student Life And exactly this student life is flourishing here in Trondheim. The fun started the first week with the orientation week (the so called “fadderuka”) and ever since then, it never stopped. This is mainly due to the fact that almost all of the international students (approximately 1300) are living together in one student village, which creates a vibrant atmosphere. Every day there are some activities going on and it is therefore impossible to become bored.

Becoming bored is definitely impossible when you are

About myself

studying in Trondheim during UKA, Norway’s biggest

Name: Arjen Martens

cultural festival. UKA lasts 25 days and is organized

Place of Residence: Trondheim (Norway)

by 1500 students who volunteer. I had the fortune

Age: 22

to be one of those volunteers, which resulted in UKA

Nationality: Netherlands

being the best experience of my student life. I worked

Studies: MSc Program in Production and Quality

as bartender in the big tent, where artists like Calvin

Engineering

Harris, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Röyksopp were

University: Norwegian University of Science and

performing. However, the best experience was being

Technology (NTNU)

eligible to enter the “hyblene” at Studentersamfundet.

Previous

Samfundet is the student society in Trondheim, which

Management (IEM) at University of Technology

houses a café, a restaurant, some bars and it hosts

Eindhoven (TU/e)

several concerts each semester. The “hyblene” is the

ESTIEMer since: 2010

studies:

Industrial

Engineering

and

private area of Samfundet, where over 200 different rooms are. They are known for their complex architecture and therefore everyone gets lost at least

other activities organised for Erasmus students and I

a couple of times. This happened to me as well, but as

usually tried to not engage in their parties either.

an open-minded ESTIEMer it was a great experience to meet hundreds of different Norwegian students. One

It brings me immediately to perhaps the only

could say that at the “hyblene” one really gets to know

shortcoming of Trondheim: it is hard to engage with

the student life in Trondheim.

the Norwegian students. This is probably due to the fact that almost all international students live in one

Exactly this student life is dominating the city, since

student village together, like I mentioned before. This

there are around 30,000 students for 180,000

creates an environment where international students

inhabitants. Therefore, wherever you go, there are

cluster together, without any local students. Quite

always students around. Also in the weekends, since,

often they only have house parties, since they find

unlike where I come from, students do not go home.

going out to bars too expensive. Since the Norwegians

They only leave the city to go into the nature, to ski

students are focused on their own, you will really have

or hike to a cabin, which are owned by the students’

to be proactive to get to know some of them. I have

sports association. These cabin trips are very popular

to say that it is worth the trouble and energy, because

amongst exchange students who want to experience

once you know them Norwegians are the best! Besides

the beautiful Norwegian nature. I have been on some

that, can you really say that you studied in a country

of these trips and it is definitely a must-do when you

without getting to know hardly any native student?

study here. I think this is also the only part of a typical exchange student life I have.

Back to my own life, where I enjoy the nature, do sports, party, study the subjects I want and where I

My Life

started to orientate myself on my professional career

Since I knew I would be in Trondheim for at least two

as well. No matter at which stage in your life you are

years, I figured out that living a life as pure exchange

or no matter what you like, Trondheim has so many

student would not be sustainable. I therefore tried to

different aspects that there will be at least one (and

live the life as I would normally live it, with a good, yet

most probably more) you will fall in love with and that

sometimes unbalanced, mix between studying, sports

will keep you hooked to this amazing city. ■

and partying. I did not participate in the field trips or ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

55

EXPLORE EUROPE

Three years exchange!

The English philosopher Francis Bacon said: “Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.” And education is what I was seeking when I first decided to leave my home university in Italy.

After the earthquake shook and destroyed L’Aquila,

the organised campus and all the other curiosities

a small city of 70.000 inhabitants in the Apennines,

that American movies fill in our heads. I was ready to

exactly five years ago, the university lost most of its

discover the USA.

structures and got displaced to temporary locations. I

Boutros Lama

Local Group L’Aquila

still remember the exams that we had to take in the big

Almost over Miami, I began seeing swimming pools,

blue tents the government prepared at the beginning

lakes, huge palm trees everywhere. It was fabulous to

of this emergency. The campus was also filled with

contemplate the sunset, one of the best moments I

commuter students’ tents that wanted to turn back

enjoy of the day, as my airplane was approaching the

to normal daily student life. I, as well wanted to turn

airport of Miami. The sun seemed different, bigger and

back to normality as soon as possible and to finish my

the light coloured shades were exotic.

studies. As a working student I had some money sad and I decided it was the occasion that I need in order to

First days at the university were hectic. I had to choose

go out of this routine and discover the world. It was by

the courses that would match my home university

chance that there was an exchange student scholarship

exams and to talk to the professors. I also had to

for some American friend universities. I applied for it

memorise the Campus map, the rules, services and

and won as destination the University of Miami.

offices. Everything was extremely organised and all services were efficient. Nevertheless, I left the

“I’m in Miami Bit**!”

university at the end of my exchange period and the

After taking the required English exam, I booked my

direction of the university was making some changes to

flight and I was ready, motivated and so excited. I

make things even better.

always heard talking about the American study system,

“

56

As a working student I had some money sad and I decided it was the occasion that I need in order to go out of this routine and discover the world.

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

EXPLORE EUROPE

Finally, at the Welcome day I had the chance to meet all exchange students from all over the world. This was the beginning of the period that we used to call, after the famous song at that time, “I’m in Miami Bi**h!”. Most American students did not interact with us so much, so we organised ourselves and had fun as much as we could. I wanted to be independent. I rented a room in a residential flat where I had a shared terrace with little palm trees, dim lights, a fridge and a big barbecue grill.

An amazing place to enjoy a beer with friends having as a background the skyline of Miami Downtown.

First time I went to a party it was a blast since the very

Back to Europe

beginning. We had an awesome “pre-gaming” at the

Even if the University of Miami offered me another

dorm in some guys’ room. It was not allowed, but we

scholarship for the following semester, I have already

managed to keep our voices down. Around 30 people

decided to come back to Europe, I missed it too much,

in a room for 2, sitting and standing everywhere, each

and to go to Spain for one year of Erasmus study

with his cup, sharing our drinks. We had to finish

period.

drinking before going out of the building doors because in the USA alcohol drinking is prohibited in public. Even

Seville was my choice. I always wanted to visit

if we were still within Campus limits, the University

Andalusia for its history. A mixture of cultures led to

Police, (Yes, the university of Miami has its own police

this heritage that this land has in custody. Phoenicians,

department), used to hang around and check students.

Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, French, English… All

The buses we rented to go to one of the world’s best

contributed somehow to make Andalusia what it is

clubs, Mansion Nightclub, were the very classical yellow

nowadays and shaped its culture that is different from

American school buses. It was really exciting to hop on

other parts of Spain.

one of these.

People in “Sevilla” are friendly, easy going and fun. It’s Nevertheless, I was there to study, for this reason I

easy to make friends there. I did not speak Spanish very

could go out maximum once a week. I decided to study

well, but speaking Italian and French, it was therefore

hard and at the end of the semester I thought I would

very easy for me to understand it and later on to speak

rent a car and travel across the states. As soon as I

it well in few months.

finished my classes, my brother came to visit me and we rented a car and travelled through the states of

Sun, flamenco, “toros”, tapas and lots of fun! These are

the east coast. It was truly amazing. We began the trip

the words with which I define Seville. A lot of parties

from the southernmost place of the United States, Key

are organised for exchange students and it’s easy to

West and ended in New York City. It is crazy how big

become addicted to this fun life. From time to time, I

this country is and how many economical differences

also wanted to get in touch with the real essence of the

there are between a state and another, even between a

mystical Seville. I would compare Seville to the strange

neighborhood and another.

case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In some cases it’s a city ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

57

EXPLORE EUROPE

apparently extremely religious, but in others it’s a Sin

weekend I was able to visit a new place. Málaga and

City, where delirious fun is consumed.

its costa del Sol, Granada with its Alhambra, Gibraltar, Càdiz, Córdoba... This time I had also the chance to go

All year round, religious processions and activities are

to a bullfight, a cruel tradition but still so exciting, and

organised. The Holy Week, the week just before Easter,

it’s a must see if one goes to visit Andalusia.

is the most spectacular. Lots of people from all parts of the world come to live this unique event. Some of them come to renovate their faith, while others come to take part in satellite celebrations. Another amazing event is

“

the pilgrimage of the “Rocío” that gathers more than one million visitors coming from all over the world.

When I first began this adventure I was another person that I’ve never thought I would become the one I am today.

It’s a pilgrimage on the second day of the Pentecost to the Hermitage of El “Rocío” in the countryside of

After almost two years living in Spain it was difficult for

Almonte, Province of Huelva, in honor of the Virgin of

me to come back home. I left in Seville dear friends

El “Rocío”. I will never forget the candles room and the

and part of my heart. It was a great occasion for me to

thousands of candles lit in the honour of the Madonna.

backpack my stuff and decide to travel. I met a lot of

It’s easy to see people crying and praying loudly or

people; I learned more about respect, about cultures

flattering during similar events.

and about myself. When I first began this adventure I was a different person than I have ever thought I would

On the other hand, Seville is famous for its “April

become. I didn’t know what to expect and I learned to

Fair”, generally begins two weeks after Easter and runs

manage all situations that a traveller may face every day

six days. Each day the fiesta begins with the parade

in a foreign country. Definitely it’s the best experience

of carriages and riders, at midday, carrying Seville’s

ever.

leading citizens which make their way to the “Casetas” (individual decorated marquee tents which are temporarily built on the fairground), or to the bullring, La Real Maestranza, where the bullfighters and breeders meet. Women dressed in colorful Flamenco Style dresses, the sexiest dress that shapes magnificently any feminine body, dance all night long “Sevillanas”. Parties in the private “Casetas” go on until sunrise.

At the end of this great year discovering southern Spain, I received an internship offer as a project engineer. This time I was determined to visit all cities and sites that I couldn’t visit during the previous year. Almost each 58

ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

See you somewhere in Europe! ■

Event calendar See you somewhere in Europe!

May 2014

July 2014

■

5th-12th “Data Mining in the Social Media

■

6th-11th Eindhoven visits Lisbon, Lisbon

Marketing Age”, Calabria

■

6th-12th BrainTrainer, Kranj

7th-11th

■

■

9th-14th EXIT Activity Week, Novi Sad

Enschede

■

13th-19th Europe3D Turkey, Ankara & Izmir

■

8th-12th Milan visits Aveiro, Aveiro

■

22th-28th Farming Activity Week, Pavilosta

■

11th-17th Business Intelligence Logistics Days,

■

26th-17th August businessbooster Summer

■

Batavierenrace Activity Week,

Eindhoven

Entrepreneurship Training, Budapest, Catania and

13th-18th Ice Hockey World Championship

Lappeenranta

Activity Week, Minsk ■

■

17th-21st North-West Motivational Weekend,

26th-9th August Summer Academy 2014 Lisbon, Portugal

Groningen ■

19th-26th ESTIEM meets EPIEM, Vienna and

September 2014

Graz

■

5th-11th Finance Forum, Eindhoven

■

20th-25th Vision Final Conference, Skopje

■

28th-04th October BrainTrainer, Groningen

■

25th-30th Local Responsible Forum 2014, Bremen

November 2014 ■

3rd-9th XLIX Council Meeting, Budapest

June 2014 ■

7th-11th Hamburg visits Enschede, Enschede

■

16th-25th Summer Academy 2014 Novi Sad, Serbia

■

30th-6th July Summer Academy 2014 Helsinki, Finland ESTIEM Magazine | 46th issue - E-learning

59

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