The meeting in May 2025 took place in Germany, where Riza Öztürk, Eika Auschner and Nermin Karaoglu from the IBSEN team in Bielefeld welcomed the representatives of the IBSEN network. Key points of the meeting were the update on the international activities of the business faculties, the IBSEN Summer School in Izmir in July and the IBSEN certificate. The second day was under the motto World Café: In three themed cafés (social media, student projects, research/transfer), interested colleagues from HSBI talked together with the IBSEN members about ideas on these topics. All participants had to visit all three cafés and share or discuss ideas. The results of the cafés were presented at the end and task packages were distributed within the network.

This year, new elections were held to lead the network, and a new president and vice president was elected. Because of the great work done in the past, the previous presidents were confirmed in office. Congratulations to Alessandro Spano and Armand van Oostrom!!! 🙂

The IBSEN meeting with representatives from eight partner universities was used several times for networking. The HSBI students were able to obtain information from the guests about the individual IBSEN universities in a question hour. In addition, a joint network lunch of the faculty staff and the IBSEN representatives took place.

The cultural aspect was also not to be neglected: Beyond a dinner in a German brewery, a city tour and a guided tour of the “Sparrenburg” castle were organized.

On November 3-5, 2024, the Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba hosted the latest IBSEN meeting in Winnipeg, Canada. After an exciting ice hockey game and some chilly autumn rain on the first day, members enjoyed bright Canadian sunshine on the last few days before the snow arrived.

The meeting was a huge success, and all members presented ideas on how to further relationships within the network, such as the IBSEN Entrepreneurship Series that is being piloted this year. We look forward to introducing some exciting new initiatives that will help engage our membership in innovative ways. Members also participated in interactive problem solving sessions with Asper staff and faculty, where the group discussed common institutional issues and ideas for solutions.

Members also participated in information sessions hosted by Asper unit leads on areas such as case competitions, career development, scholarships and awards, the Indigenous Business Education Partners program, the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, and the President’s Student Leadership Program. We invite all IBSEN members to stay connected to Asper presenters, and to offer all suggestions on possibilities for collaborations.

We look forward to another meaningful and impactful meeting in Bielefeld, Germany in May 2025.

At the meeting in Kouvola, after reviewing current news at the different campuses, the upcoming summer school in July 2024 was finally discussed and any remaining questions were clarified. This year it will be organised by The Hague University. This was followed by the results of the working groups. One group had thought about the realignment of IBSEN’s vision and mission. Another group reported on a series of seminars on entrepreneurship (starting winter semester 2024), whereby the member universities can register their lecturers and students. This would be a first example of a certificate of the IBSEN network. As in every meeting, funding possibilities were also discussed, and deadlines agreed.

Content-related inputs from the host university included a keynote speech on the efforts in the field of entrepreneurship, the use of a business game simulation in teaching and a presentation of the student magazine (Insider) of the departments. A workshop and some impulses on the topic of AI from a company and a member of the university rounded off the meeting.

The exchange in the unofficial formats such as the joint sauna visit after the first meeting day consolidated the fruitful discussions, which led to many great ideas and initiated projects

As always, the trip was worthwhile, and many to-dos were taken back with us. On behalf of IBSEN, I would like to thank the XAMK organisers, especially Sara, Mia, Hugh and Ari. With your great organisation we had very nice days in Kouvola with many memorable experiences. The preparations for the next meeting in Canada have already begun…

Prof. Dr. Riza Öztürk
Dean Bielefeld School of Business

Text: Riza Öztürk (edited Hugh Clack)
Photos: Hugh Clack

On 4 and 5 May 2023, the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU) will host the next IBSEN meeting. The last IBSEN meeting was held in November in beautiful Florida, where the Indian River State College hosted for the first time as the youngest member (see photo), but it felt like the university had always been in the network.

The Prague partner university CZU has organised a full programme for the members. Two special programme items should be highlighted:

First, the first IBSEN Summer School is coming up. It will take place in July 2023 for a fortnight at the Bielefeld and Prague locations. It will be organised jointly by the CZU and Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts. A total of 26 students from seven of the ten universities will participate.

The second important point is the application of a new candidate for the network. The University of Split is interested in joining the network. We are looking forward to the two days… 🙂