Module 31-Neo-1 NEOLAiA – Focus Academy: Digital Transformation

A Focus Academy

• is a specially designed Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) within the framework of the European University Alliance ‘NEOLAiA’
• is a structured, short-term, financially supported mobility abroad that is integrated into the curriculum, at least via the Individual Complementary Area (free elective area).
• is developed and implemented by at least three higher education institutions from at least three EU member states and third countries associated with the programme.
• is an excellent way of gaining (initial) international study experience and developing your own language skills.
• consists of a virtual and a physical component: Students from the different universities work together the whole time. The highlight is the joint physical phase on site, which lasts at least 5 days.
• deals in particular with transversal and interdisciplinary topics in order to be of interest to many students of different disciplines.

This programme was developed with university partners of the European University Alliance ‘NEOLAiA’ (https://neolaiacampus.eu/).

With the Focus Academy students acquire basic expertise and methodological skills regarding digital transformation, in particular to get to know, analyse, understand and evaluate drivers, characteristics and implications from a (i) technological, (ii) entrepreneurial and (iii) social perspective. They receive an overview on central requirements of these change processes as well as possible 'tools' and possible approaches for dealing with such continuous change processes. In addition to gaining insights into the practice of entrepreneurial action in digital transformation, students also acquire basic design skills for the management of digital transformation (including entrepreneurial action taking / entrepreneurial behaviour). Presentation skills, entrepreneurial thinking and teamwork are also promoted.

The course provides an overview on selected topics on digital transformation, such as the fundamentals of change processes with a particular focus on the management of (digital) innovations, the development and effects of digitalisation, challenges from a technological perspective (such as the technologies and enablers of digital value creation), challenges from an economic / entrepreneurial perspective (such as digital business models and business model innovations), and challenges from a social perspective (such as the effects on employees / the working environment). In addition to providing practical examples, a transfer of the discussed concepts and findings into practical applicability is aimed. To this end, current and practice-relevant questions on digital transformation by and with companies are addressed, allowing students to get first-hand experience on effects that digitalisation can have on companies, employees and customers.

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