BLIC

Welcome to BLIC
(Blended Learning International Cooperation)

Why do we need innovative learning approaches?

Major trends associated with globalization such as technological innovations, demographic change, global warming, urbanization and the emergence of a knowledge society are accelerating the pace of change. New technologies are creating new markets and jobs at a breathtaking pace and, at the same time, ruthlessly destroying existing businesses (Menn, Voss, Kuhn, Dürand, & Rees, 2014). The work environment is continually under development. Capabilities enabling professionals to benefit from a technology rich work environment and cultural competence are not just nice to have but a precondition for participating in the global market place.

Why does BLIC represent an important partnership between industry and universities?

As important partners for the industry, universities qualify the managers of tomorrow. BLIC addresses the increasing need to integrate innovative learning approaches into the curriculum. In the School of Business at the DHBW, this involves creating realistic international business settings in the classroom combined with online learning using digital technologies, offering a variety of opportunities for students to develop their intercultural competence as well as skills in communicating internationally in English.

Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students

The Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students is a program established by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung and supports the international exchange of students and vocationally qualified people/young professionals. Since 2001, it has enabled more than 20,000 young people from Baden-Württemberg to spend some time abroad and allowed scholarship holders from other countries to get to know Baden-Württemberg. Each year more than 1,000 young people receive a Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students.
(www.bw-stipendium.de)

Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students – BWS plus

Through the programme Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students – BWS plus, the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung supports innovative joint projects between universities from Baden-Württemberg and their international partners. The programme, which provides funding of around 800,000 euros per year, began in 2011 and since then has supported more than 50 projects.

Baden-Württemberg Stiftung

The Baden-Württemberg Stiftung advocates a vital Baden-Württemberg with a high quality of life. It helps pave the way for top-class research, many kinds of educational measures and responsible dealings with our fellow man. The Baden-Württemberg Stiftung is one of the major foundations in Germany. It is the only foundation which invests exclusively and without partisanship in the future of Baden-Württemberg, and thus in the future of its citizens. (www.bwstiftung.de)

Going Global – Podcast-Interview:

The working world is constantly changing. Presently, the energy crises, rapidly developing technologies and the opening of new markets pose challenges for future skilled workers and employees. For the BW Cooperative State University in Villingen-Schwenningen this is a cue to integrate innovative teaching and learning approaches into the curriculum and thus enable students to acquire intercultural competencies – a prerequisite to participating in the global market.
Within the BLIC (Blended Learning International Cooperation) program this takes place in an especially authentic and realistic manner.
In this pod-cast, Angela Brusis, coordinator in the BLIC program, explains how participating students can immerse themselves in international communication and collaboration via real-life business scenarios and international teams, and so further their skills – thanks to digital technologies in online-teaching – directly from their own lecture rooms in Villingen-Schwenningen.

BLIC Network

A common idea together with pioneering spirit, motivation, and open mindedness energizes BLIC members to develop and implement an innovative new learning approach. Challenges such as different academic calendars and special curriculums can be translated into complementary strengths. Partners who strive for long term and enriching relationships strengthen the BLIC network. The network welcomes new members from other universities.

BLIC Program

The essential idea of the BLIC approach is to experience a realistic international business setting in the classroom. Students will be prepared to identify factors driving the success of international business. Based on theoretical knowledge and case studies, students will cope with international business needs and recognize the impact of cultural aspects. Modular and flexible assignments are tailored to participating universities. The entry-level course is named “Go Global I”. Variations of the course are based on the same concept. However, the number of involved parties might be increased. Other variations result from a focus on a specific topic such as marketing or finance or an increased face to face time. Working at different levels (program, course, cohort, cross boarder teams, local team) enriches the learning experience. Learning teams are a vital part of the learning concept. They provide rich opportunities to gain unique learning experience based on collaborative skills.