A group of Business Management students from South West College’s Erne Campus in Enniskillen recently travelled to Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, to take part in the Sustainability in Business Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). The international initiative brought together university students from across the Netherlands, Latvia, Ireland, and Belgium for a week-long experience focused on sustainable business practices.
The participating students, from both the Foundation Degree and BSc Business Management programmes, delivered a well-received presentation exploring the relevance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to both individuals and businesses in Northern Ireland.
Throughout the week, students took part in the Edumondo Business Simulation, working in international teams to make strategic and sustainable decisions for a virtual mobile phone company. The simulation challenged students to interpret market research and act on sustainability data in real-time business scenarios.
The programme also included visits to a variety of sustainable businesses and social enterprises, where students engaged in problem-solving tasks and learned from real-world examples of innovation and environmental responsibility. Additional cultural visits included a trip to the city of Groningen and a moving visit to the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam.
Celine McCartan, Principal and Chief Executive of South West College, praised the students’ efforts and the importance of international opportunities like the BIP:
“We are incredibly proud of our students for representing South West College on a global stage. Their ability to engage with complex sustainability issues, collaborate with peers from across Europe, and showcase their passion for their community and future careers is inspiring. Opportunities like this are vital in preparing our students to become responsible, forward-thinking business leaders.”