Press release
14. October 2021
New Project VIEL started with virtual kick-off event
On 14 October 2021, the new trinational project VIEL
of Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with Pwani
University in Kenya and the University of Limerick in Ireland started with a
virtual kick-off event. "Virtual International Exchange and Learning
(VIEL) Kenya-Ireland-Germany” is part of the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for
University Students – BWS plus, a programme of the Baden-Württemberg
Stiftung. The project runs from October 2021 until September 2024 and is
financed with an amount of 145.000€.
The
new project VIEL was initiated by Prof. Sissi Closs from Karlsruhe University
of Applied Sciences (HKA) in cooperation with Pwani University in Kenya and the
University of Limerick in Ireland. The project aims to create a cultural and
professional exchange for students from the three universities in a
future-oriented, virtual setting. Every semester, two students from each of the
universities have the opportunity to participate in an exchange round.The
virtual kick-off event on Thursday, 14 October 2021 opened the project and with
it the first exchange round. The event
focused on getting to know the students and the VIEL project team.
The
programme started with an official welcome and introduction of the organisation
and VIEL project team around Prof. Sissi Closs and Belinda Oechsler from
Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Dr. Yvonne Cleary from the University
of Limerick (UL) and Edith Miano from Pwani University (PU). Afterwards, the
exchange students from the first round also introduced themselves. In order for
the students to get to know the participating universities better, a
presentation of the respective cooperation partners followed. Dr. Michael
Wenzler, consultant in the education department of the Baden-Württemberg
Stifung, introduced the Stiftung (foundation) n and the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM
for students and BWS plus. For the next 3 years, he expressed his wish for good
cooperation in partnership and successful project implementation.
In addition to the private, cultural exchange, an important aspect of the VIEL
project will be the professional exchange, which will be carried out within the
framework of monthly virtual workshops on various topics in the field of
Communication and Media. In the previous project ADDI, such workshops were
already organised for Kenyan students. Collins Rubia, Bachelor student in
German at PU, gave a review of these virtual workshops. After a short coffee
break, Belinda Oechsler gave an insight into the general framework of the
project and how the exchange will take place on a cultural and professional
level. In addition to the monthly virtual workshops, the students will experience
a cultural exchange on a private level with regular contact via different media
and thus get to know each other's everyday life, culture and traditions. If
possible, there will be a short-term stay in one of the three countries at the
end of the semester.
The participants of the event, the VIEL team, the exchange students of the
first round, as well as the representatives of the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung ,
agree that the hybrid exchange programme is a very good alternative to the
classical student exchange and that it is a great opportunity to acquire
intercultural competences. Everyone is grateful to be part of such an
innovative, future-oriented and unique project.
Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM
The Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM supports the international exchange of students and vocationally qualified people. Since 2001, it has enabled more than 25,000 young people from Baden-Württemberg to gain experience abroad and allowed scholarship holders from other countries to visit Baden-Württemberg. Approximately 1,500 young people receive a Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM each year.
Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students – BWS plus
With the 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 is endowed with approximately 1.2 million euros annually. Since 2011, more than 104 BWS plus projects have been supported at universities in Baden-Württemberg.
The Baden-Württemberg Stiftung
advocates a vital Baden-Württemberg with a high quality of life for all its residents. It helps pave the way for advanced technological progress, high quality education, and a responsible relationship with fellow human beings. The Baden-Württemberg Stiftung is one of the major foundations in Germany. It is the only foundation which exclusively and above party lines invests in the future of the state of Baden-Württemberg – and thus in the future of its citizens.
