Students of the Faculty of Economics Participated in the International Autumn School on European Management and Business Consulting in Germany
In October 2025, sixteen students from the Faculty of Economics (Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Management, Entrepreneurship, Business Economics, Digital Audit and Consulting) took part in the international Autumn School EMMIDIR. European Management (in Practice): Market Innovation, Digital Change, and Resilience, held at Chemnitz University of Technology (Germany).
An International Program and Cross-Cultural Collaboration
The school was the final stage of a business consulting mini-program within the German-Ukrainian project Lernbrücke Chemnitz–Lviv 2025, supported by the DAAD and the Harald Christ Foundation for Democracy and Diversity. Throughout the year, instructors from the Faculty of Economics and German colleagues co-designed a learning concept tailored to the needs of Ukrainian students and international research requests from business stakeholders.
Hands-on Business Consulting in Intercultural Teams
During the Autumn School, Lviv University students worked in international teams with German students from the Faculty of Economics at Chemnitz University. They tackled real-life consulting cases of five Ukrainian companies from different sectors: the postal operator Meest Post, the architectural and engineering firm AVR Development, the conceptual restaurant network “Piana Vyshnia” (by !FEST Group), the café chain Kredens Café, and the stationery and toy retail chain MONAKO.
The students conducted field research in Chemnitz and Dresden, explored the Saxon market specifics, adapted business models to EU conditions, used AI tools to validate ideas, developed financial forecasts, and presented their results to academic mentors and external experts. Special attention was given to teamwork, market analysis, financial planning, and business resilience development.
Co-Teaching and Mentorship
The program and workshops were jointly designed and delivered by faculty teams from both universities: Dr. Marianna Kokhan and Dr. Vira Shevchuk (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv), and Prof. Dr. Charlotte Förster (European Management) and Dr. Julien Bucher (Technology and Innovation Management) from Chemnitz University as part of activity of the project“Studio of European Management”. Additional contributions were made by Prof. Andrii Gukaliuk, Prof. Zoryna Yurynets, Prof. Svitlana Urba, Dr. Anna Hryshchuk, Dr. Nataliia Danylevych, Dr. Nataliia Chopko and others.
The Autumn School became a truly unique experience of intercultural learning, hands-on teamwork, and engagement with real business cases. The Faculty of Economics and its departments supported the students’ participation and continue to promote joint projects in this direction.
Participants’ Reflections
Fidan Jafarova, 4th year student, Bachelor’s Program in Management and Administration: “The Autumn School was a great experience. I learned a lot, met amazing people, and enjoyed the practical workshops. Everything was well organized — maybe next time it could be a bit longer! Thank you for this opportunity!”
Maryna Verko, 1st year, Master’s Program in Management: “I thank you for the opportunity to join this school. To communicate with people from other countries and nationalities. To improve my knowledge and gain valuable experience that will be useful to me in life.”
Sofiia Ivanovych, 4th year student, Bachelor’s Program in Information Systems in Management: “I’m really happy that I was at EMMIDIR. It was an incredible experience and an opportunity to try myself as a German student. I would love to put this week on repeat. Thanks a lot! 🥰”
Immo Burghardt, Master’s student in European Studies, Chemnitz University of Technology:
“Most valuable for me was the intensive, focused format of a school that allows for a deep dive into a specific, cutting-edge topic through workshops, practical sessions, and in-depth lectures. This is often more beneficial than standard conference talks. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Autumn School. It was extremely valuable and relevant, providing an ideal combination of strategic, financial, and leadership skills.”
The EMMIDIR program team extends heartfelt thanks to the administration of the Faculty of Economics and its departments for their continuous support — as well as to Chemnitz University of Technology and especially Prof. Silke Hüsing, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, for the trust, openness to collaboration, and warm welcome of Ukrainian students.