The week began at the Rotterdam Campus with sessions on internationalisation and innovative teaching approaches. A key takeaway was clear: universities today are not only working for society but increasingly with society—co-creating solutions together with partners from industry and the community. This approach was brought to life through a variety of activities. At the Urban Leisure & Tourism Lab, participants experienced how students, researchers, and external partners collaborate to address real-world challenges.
A visit to the Van Nelle Fabriek—a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of industrial innovation, transformed from an industrial complex into a hub for creative industries—offered inspiration on how historical spaces can be repurposed to foster innovation and cooperation. Student projects within Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), such as “Urban Transformation” and “Changing Cities”, showcased how international and interdisciplinary teamwork enables students to develop practical, forward-thinking solutions. Another highlight of the week was the interactive design workshop “Towards an impactful collaboration”, where participants explored ideas for future partnerships and discussed strategies for building meaningful, long-term cooperation between institutions. Hochschule Mittweida was represented by Prof. Dr. Pradeep Kumar, who leads the project under the Internationalization of German Universities initiative titled “Strategic Communication for International Business and Sustainable Educational Development: Catalyzing Social and Economic Growth in Germany and Beyond (STRATCOMM)”. His participation sparked valuable discussions and opened new perspectives for future collaboration.
This participation was made possible thanks to the strong vision and strategic approach of the International Office at HSMW. Special thanks go to the Head of International Relations, Ms. Saskia Langhammer, and the Deputy Head of the International Office, Mr. Tim Friedrich, whose support enabled participation through the Erasmus+ mobility programme. Their commitment continues to lay the foundation for efficient and impactful international projects. Looking ahead, further cooperation is already underway: Prof. Buser and Prof. Drowatzky from the Faculty of Media are planning a joint Erasmus+ BIP with Inholland for the 2026–2027 academic year. HSMW sincerely thanks all organisers and participants for an engaging and well-organised week. The experience provided valuable insights and strengthened international connections that will continue to grow in the years ahead.