A course that grew rapidly
The course, which is part of ECIU University’s commitment to challenge-based learning, was originally intended for eight participants. But there was enormous interest in it.“I initially planned for a course for eight people, but when we marketed it we got 170 applicants, of which about 50 were selected to participate in the course. There were students from all over Europe, from different universities and different disciplinary backgrounds,” says Aliaksei Kazlou, associate professor and course coordinator.
The students work in groups with a real problem from a startup company – Organic H2 – that develops green hydrogen technology based on research in organic materials and electrochemistry.
“The advantage of a challenge is that students face a realistic situation. It’s a complex problem where they need to identify what needs to be solved – and what can be solved,” Aliaksei says.
A European classroom
The course brings together students from different countries and subject areas – from environmental engineering and business administration to journalism and political science. The interdisciplinary and international approach is an important part of learning.“This is a great way to practice working across Europe. All countries have different laws and procedures. The students learn a lot from each other, not just from us teachers,” Aliaksei continues.
Diverse backgrounds a source of strength
Several students highlight how the course has given them new perspectives – both academically and personally.“I study environmental technology and thought this was a great opportunity to learn more about green hydrogen, especially in Sweden, which is a pioneer in sustainability,” says Ryu from the University of Aveiro.
“It’s exciting to work with people from different backgrounds. We have different strengths and skills, which makes the group work very dynamic,” says Joana, a participant from the University of Aveiro.
“I work at a company that invests in sustainability and wanted to deepen my knowledge. This is a perfect combination of learning and international experience,” says Diana from Kaunas University of Technology.
