HANDS ON

Project description

The Hands-On (hereinafter – the Project) is an optional module for second-year master’s students of the KTU School of Economics and Business and other stakeholders (students of other KTU faculties, ECIU network students, and business representatives), who intend to deepen the competencies of socio-economic assessment, strategic management, organizational design, project management, change management, and investment evaluation.

The scope of the project is 15 ECTS credits.

The result of the project is a consulting project prepared to solve a real challenge formulated by the organization. Business leaders (KTU alumni) become mentors and provide feedback to students. Students who choose this Project have the opportunity to test non-standard OUT OF THE BOX strategic solutions in a real situation, gain experience working in interdisciplinary TOP management teams (simulation), develop personal leadership, and strengthen their professional portfolio.

Thematics

Designing strategic solutions of the circular economy

Designing innovation ecosystem and strategic innovation management solutions

Designing solutions of business model innovation

Designing strategic solutions of digital transformation

Designing sustainability-based business solutions and consumer behaviour

For organizations

Why should organizations participate in the Hands-On?

It is an opportunity to test and adapt new scientific knowledge and practices in a relevant situation for the organization;
Strengthening the innovative business image;
Education and attraction of professionals and leaders to the organization;
Creating long-term valuable relationships with KTU;
Obtaining detailed recommendations at the strategic and tactical levels;
The experience of students and KTU lecturers is used in preparing recommendations according to the presented challenge.

What do we expect from the organization?

Three visits of company representative(s) to KTU SEB: (1) presentation of the challenge; (2) participation in the interim review of the Project; (3) participation in the final presentation-defence of the Project;
Visit of master’s students to the company (if possible);
Providing information and data related to the challenge presented by the organization to the student group and the module teachers;
Designation of a person who periodically communicates with the Project Coordinator;
The signing of cooperation and confidentiality agreements.

For master’s students

What is the Hands-On?

The 15 ECTS credit module (in Lithuanian) is intended for second-year master’s students of the KTU School of Economics and Business and other stakeholders (students of other KTU faculties, ECIU network students, business representatives);
The goal of the project is to develop students’ ability to identify, analyse, test, and develop non-traditional solutions for strategic situations, using new (original) scientific knowledge and international practices, interdisciplinary access to different business functions and systemic thinking;
This is a 10-week student work in an interdisciplinary team. The final result of the Project is a consulting project for the organization based on a real challenge presented by it.

When does the Hands-On take place?

The Project is an optional module. In order to achieve high-quality development of entrepreneurial competence, the Project is planned to be implemented in the 3rd semester, when students take the modules of the field of study in the 1st and 2nd semesters.

Why is it worth choosing the Hands-On?

It is an opportunity to test non-standard OUT OF THE BOX strategic solutions in a real situation;
Simulation and experience of working in an interdisciplinary TOP management team;
Development of personal leadership and strengthening of the professional profile;
Feedback, mentoring and networking from business leaders (alumni).

What competencies are developed?

Socio-economic assessment;
Strategic management;
Organizational design;
Project management;
Change management;
Investment evaluation.

Who participates in the Hands-On?

Business enterprises and organizations;
Students;
Lecturers/tutors (researchers);
Mentors.

What are the activities of the Hands-On?

3 “Inspire & Ignite” lectures by business and scientific leaders;
5 Micromodule courses;
8 Consultation sessions;
2 Project presentations (interim and final).

How is student selection done?

The selection of project participants (students) is carried out in the spring semester of the first academic year – March 10-20. The selection conditions specify the quotas of the direction, the names of the organizations, and the challenges they propose, corresponding to one of the six thematics of the Project. In the University’s Academic Information System (AIS), a student can only choose a topic that corresponds to his field of study and apply for it. The criterion for the selection of students is the arithmetic average of the first semester of studies. The number of students in each study programme is limited.

After the selection, the Project teams are formed in random order. If an incomplete team of students is formed, the members of the Project are assigned to another formed team. These steps are taken before the Project Module studies begin. Once the studies begin, the organization becomes a mentor for the teams that have chosen the topics it provides. After the selection, students can no longer refuse to participate in the Project.

For lecturers/tutors

Why should lecturers/tutors participate in the Hands-On?

Strengthening didactic competence;
Development of personal leadership and strengthening of the professional profile;
Sharing available and gaining new practical business experience;
It is an opportunity to transfer accumulated knowledge by testing it in real conditions.