Codeshare Teaching and Learning Summer School

The first international digital Summer School 2021 was organized by Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg in cooperation with the University of Cape Coast, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule Koblenz, and Coastal Carolina University and took place from July 26 until August 20, 2021.

Over 180 students from the cooperation universities as well as students from further international partner universities registered for the eight Summer School courses.

An additional social and cultural program with a variety of online events was offered to all course participants to further connect and build an international network.

The Summer School courses mainly, but not exclusively, address students in the fields of Business and Management studies. Eight courses were offered on two main paths: "The Good Side of Finance" and "Digitisation in Business". Additionally, we offered the course "International Career Building".

All courses were fully taught online by professors and lecturers from four of the international project partner universities.

Each course was held in synchronous course sessions on five consecutive days, either in the morning or in the afternoon (local time H-BRS). In addition, students received asynchronous tasks to prepare for the course sessions.

The Summer School 2021 was funded by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) as part of the "Codeshare Teaching and Learning Project".

Since the received feedback was highly positive and the participants very much enjoyed the offered courses, the project is going to be successfully continued now.

Codeshare Summer School 2022 - tbd

In August, the time had come again: The three-week "Codeshare Teaching and Learning Summer School" took place as part of the international teaching project sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst). The Summer School is structured based on the codesharing principle in the airline industry. Codesharing refers to when multiple airlines jointly offer a scheduled flight and integrate it into their flight schedule.

As in the previous year, courses from the curriculum of H-BRS and the participating partner universities were offered to students from all institutions. From the four main focus areas: "Technology and Digitization in Business", "Special Topics in Global Finance", "Sustainable and Ethical Business Practices", and "Innovative Business Practices", a total of ten different courses could be attended and each completed within a week. These diverse courses were taught by professors and lecturers from the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University, the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, the Coastal Carolina University in the USA, Koblenz RheinAhrCampus, and the newly added partner university, Shenzhen University of Technology in China.

The courses consisted of mandatory sessions that took place online over five consecutive days. During these sessions, issues were discussed and worked on by international teams. For many students, this was their first opportunity to establish international contacts and to familiarize themselves with different cultural perspectives. Another component of the courses was the pre and post-course assignments.

The project team, led by Project Manager Prof. Dr. Ralf Meyer and consisting of Project Coordinator Jana Kohl and student assistant Shona Krötz, also organized an international "Get-Together" and invited all participants.

Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. The extensive course offerings on significant, current, and engaging topics not integrated into regular study content were particularly appreciated. Longer course durations were desired for the upcoming years of the project to delve deeper into the subjects.

Of the over 180 registered participants, 109 students, representing 16 nationalities, successfully completed at least one course and received a participation certificate at the end of the Summer School. Students from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University were able to credit the Summer School courses as an elective subject

In August 2023, for the third consecutive year, the "Codeshare Teaching and Learning Summer School" took place. This international educational project offers students from around the world a three-week educational opportunity. As in previous years, the H-BRS and its partner institutions provided courses from their curriculum. These courses focused on four main themes: “Technology and Digitization in Business”, “Special Topics in Global Law and Finance”, “Sustainable and Innovative Business Practices for the Future”, and “Professional Skills for the Future”. In total, students had a choice of ten different courses, each of which could be completed within a week. The professors and lecturers came from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences and our partner universities, the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, the RheinAhrCampus of Koblenz University of Applied Sciences and Shenzhen University of Technology in China.

The courses, spanning over five consecutive online days, not only offered students intensive discussions and team projects, but also the opportunity to make international contacts and experience diverse cultural perspectives. Additionally, preparatory and follow-up tasks were provided as part of the course program.

Behind the organization of the Summer School stood the dedicated project team led by Prof. Dr. Ralf Meyer and Project Coordinator Felix Wegen.

The positive feedback from over 250 participants from more than 24 countries confirms the program's success. Many particularly appreciated the diverse course offerings on current and relevant topics, often not included in regular study plans. At the end of the program, participants receive a certificate, and students from the Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg could even have these courses recognized as supplementary subjects.

With such success, we look forward to hopefully continuing the offer next year.

Program Overview

From July 15 to August 26, 2024, the Summer School program offered a total of nine courses in the fields of "Finance," "Data Science," and "Business and Management." Each course awarded either 2 or optionally 3 ECTS credits, giving students from around the world the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in future-oriented subjects. This year’s Summer School was organized in collaboration with our partner universities: Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU), University of Cape Coast (UCC), and Hochschule Koblenz.

International Participant Structure

• Applications: Over 1,500 applications from 71 countries

• Participants: More than 600 admitted participants

• Graduates: Over 250 successful graduates from 32 countries

Despite the limited number of available spots, the Summer School received overwhelming interest, with more than 1,500 applications from 71 countries. In the end, we were able to admit over 600 participants, out of which more than 250 successfully completed their courses and received a certificate of participation. The diversity and internationality of the participants were also reflected in the number of institutions involved: students from 23 different (partner) universities and colleges across various academic disciplines were represented in the Summer School courses.

International University Collaborations

A special highlight was the involvement of lecturers and academic staff, which was enriched through the collaboration with international partner universities SZTU, UCC, and Hochschule Koblenz. These partnerships significantly contributed to the realization, diversity, and overall success of the Summer School. The alliance of all four institutions not only enabled participants to experience a diverse and interdisciplinary learning environment but also fostered exchange between different academic cultures.

Successful Feedback Analysis

The Codeshare Teaching and Learning Summer School at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg once again demonstrated in 2024 why it remains an essential course highlight for students worldwide. The positive feedback from participants underscores the program’s success and highlights its significance for personal, academic, and professional development.

Convincing Numbers:

• 90% of participants were highly satisfied with the courses.

• 95% would recommend the Summer School to a friend or fellow student.

• 89% found the courses relevant and helpful for their studies or career development.

• 97% praised the lecturers for excellent course design and content.

• 91% enjoyed the international collaboration within learning groups.

• 90% would apply for the Summer School again next year.

Intercultural Exchange and Innovative Learning Formats

A key aspect of the Summer School is fostering international exchange. While more than 60% of participants had previous experience collaborating with international students, for many, the Summer School provided a new opportunity to benefit from global perspectives.

Selected Participant Feedback:

Participants particularly appreciated the practical and up-to-date content of the courses. The Summer School also impressed with its innovative teaching methods. The combination of case studies, group work, and interactive discussions created a dynamic learning experience. Another highlight was the flexible online format, which allowed participants worldwide to join at a low cost and in a time-efficient manner.

Below are three feedback statements from our students:

"I loved the course structure, where the classes consisted not only of lectures but also a great mix of case presentations, group work, reflection sessions, and live discussions."

"The topics were always clearly explained and well-prepared, which positively supported my learning experience! I found it amazing that the courses were offered online and free of charge, making it a time- and budget-friendly format."

Outlook and Acknowledgment

We proudly look back on the Codeshare Summer School, where over 250 successful graduates received their certificates and ECTS credits. Their commitment and passion made this event an outstanding success!

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, lecturers, and organizers who contributed to this success with their dedication, enthusiasm, and expertise.

The Future of the Summer School

The overwhelmingly positive feedback shows that the Codeshare Teaching and Learning Summer School remains a valuable milestone in the academic calendar. The high recommendation rate of 95% and consistently positive responses regarding the relevance and quality of the content prove that this program continues to inspire students and provide real added value.

Planning for the Codeshare Summer School 2025 will begin in January. We look forward to designing an even more diverse and exciting program while creating positive learning experiences in an international context for our students.

See you in 2025!