UNIVERSITY OF KOBLENZ SUMMER ACADEMY JUNE 29TH JULY 24TH REPORT

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1 UNIVERSITY OF KOBLENZ SUMMER ACADEMY JUNE 29TH JULY 24TH REPORT PARTICIPANTS FROM GHANA 1. SETH OPARE INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES 2. SARFO BAFFOUR G.K UNIVERSITY OF GHANA 3. EMMANUEL CHAPMAN KODAM UNIVERSITY OF GHANA 4. MARTIN DANSO UNIVERSITY OF GHANA 5. ERIC KOFFI HAGAN NIIT 6. MITCHRIS CHAPMAN KODAM UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

2 2009 UNIVERSITY OF KOBLENZ SUMMER ACADEMY REPORT FOREWORD Having been in the academia for my most parts of my life, I am pleased to be part of the 2009 University of Koblenz Summer Academy, which was unique in many ways; It was a very successful combination of learning, travel and discovery. It provided the opportunity to experience diversity of cultures and nationalities. It was uniquely composed of young people with a great potential to become tomorrow s leaders. The participants represented a very good combination of students from developed as well as developing and emerging economies. The 2009 Summer Academy in particular has demonstrated a strong ability to manage time, stress and combine serious academic work and recreational activities. The cohesion among students, staff and organizers has been exemplary of how heterogeneous communities can achieve harmony and live in peace together in a multicultural environment where respect, understanding, care and teaching and learning was witnessed. I have no doubt that many members of the 2009 University of Koblenz Summer Academy will go very far and contribute to their various societies they find themselves and also be models of worthy emulation in their societies, communities and countries. Sarfo Baffour G.K University of Ghana THE 2009 UNIVERSITY OF KOBLENZ SUMMER ACADEMY A bold educational and cultural initiative, the 2009 Summer Academy was a unique study abroad opportunity for global- minded university students to live and learn in a multicultural environment.four weeks of intense academic work combined with a host of social programs were the unique

3 characteristics of the Summer Academy organized by the University of Koblenz which was made up of almost 80 students from 17 countries. On the 24 th of June 2009 Six students from GHANA namely Sarfo Baffour G.K, Martin Danso, Seth Opare, Emmanuel Chapman Kodam, Mitchris Chapman Kodam and Kofi Eric Hagan who were beneficiaries of DAAD scholarships to attend the 2009 Summer Academy organized by the University of Koblenz converged at the Kotoka International Airport to board an Emirates Airline en route to Frankfurt. We embarked on our trip to Germany on the 24 th of June 2009 from Ghana where we had a stopover in Dubai on the 25 th of July before emplaning to Germany from Dubai on the 25 th of July. This dream became a reality when we finally arrived at the Frankfurt Airport at exactly 13:15 on the 25 th July. More significantly was our nice ride on the ice train from Frankfurt to Koblenz where we were met on arrival by staff of the University of Koblenz namely Ms. Sabine Hulstrunk and Mr. Mario Shaarchmidt. The opportunity of meeting people from diverse cultures reflects a larger change within us. The Summer Academy community celebrates difference and diversity as we learned about Germany, other cultures and share our own ideas. The Summer Academy has provided adrenalin within individual participants. Now we emerge from an experience that has changed each of us undeniably. In this picture from left to right; Sarfo Baffour, Mitchris Chapman & Martin Dubai Airport

4 From Left to right; Ali Zuhair, Agnes, Sarfo, Sabine, Mitchris, Seth Opare & Martin The Summer Academy Community Students who attended the 2009 University of Koblenz Summer Academy who were beneficiaries of DAAD scholarship of which participants from Ghana were significant beneficiaries lived in residential hostels, small living and learning communities composed of an internationally diverse group of students. The residential facilities included both the House St. Joseph which was located in Vallendar and House Providentia which was also located in Metternich a few minutes drive or walk from the main University campus in Koblenz. The House St. Josef harbored students from Ghana, India, Tajikistan, Moldova, Finland, Nigeria, Iraq, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil and Finland. In total there were 18 students in House St. Josef in Vallendar. The Summer Academy houses consisted of groups of students and staff who shared an academic and social interest.

5 A view of St. Josef in Vallendar Back to front, left to right;

6 Ankit Jain (India), Sarah Winkler (Germany), Sarfo Baffour (Ghana), Vangelis Promponas (Greece), Martin Danso (Ghana), Mitchris Chapman (Ghana), Animesh (India), Mia (Finland), Ali Zuhair (Iraq), Seth Opare (Ghana), Said (Tajikistan) and Frederico Fortuna (Brazil) ACADEMICS Academic life was the central component of the 2009 Summer Academy organized by the University of Koblenz. While enjoying life in Germany students continually worked on individual assignments, presentations, group projects as well as attending lectures of their various courses. Students were well equipped with the resources located in the University s library as well as I.C.T centre. The University Library contained a host of books, magazines, newspapers which students used for their various research works and assignment as well as learning. There were several computers connected to the internet available at the I.C.T centre which enabled students to conduct their research. What made the Summer Academy unique was that students shared ideas and learned from peers and Professors who came from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds. As students learning experiences were an eye opener. We have gained incredible experiences, knowledge and most importantly friends from all over the continent. Courses offered during the Summer Academy at University of Koblenz included International Management, International Economics, E- Business Ventures, Networked Governance and Social Media Management, Semantic Web, Customer Relationship Management, Strategic Network Management, E- Government, Research Methods and Virtual Goods beyond Digital Rights Management. These were taught by a group of dedicated Professors with the help of their enterprising teaching assistants.

7 The Academic Community of University of Koblenz The University of Koblenz Campus

8 Participants inspecting Academic University of Koblenz From left to right Ali Zuhair (Iraq), Sanjeev (India), Frederico Fortuna (Brazil), Mitchris Chapman (Ghana) & Mario Schaarchmidt ACADEMIC SCHOLARS & PROJECT TEAM E-Business Ventures Harald F.O. von Kortzfleisch Arbeitsgruppe für Management von Information, Innovation, Entrepreneurship und Organisation (MI²EO)!

9 International Economics PD. Dr. Gregor van der Beek Institute for Management Research group Economics Strategic Network Management Prof. Paula Swatman Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment Networked Governance & Social Media Management Assistant Professor Ines Mergel

10 Semantic Web Prof. Dr. Steffen Staab Institute for Computer Science Research Group ISWEB Customer Relationship Management Prof. Dr. Petra Schubert Institute for IS Research Research Group Business Software E-Government Prof. Dr. Maria Wimmer E-Government Research Methods in IS

11 Prof. Dr. Klaus G. Troitzsch Institute for IS Research Research Group Modelling and Simulation Digital Rights Management Virtual Goods beyond Digital Rights Management Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Grimm Institute for IS Research Research group IT-Risk-Management Internationational Management Prof. Dr. Gianfranco Walsh

12 Before joining the University of Koblenz-Landau in 2006 as a Professor of Marketing and Electronic Retailing, Gianfranco Walsh was a Senior Lecturer in Marketing with a British university. He is also a Visiting Professor in the University of Strathclyde Business School's Department of Marketing. SUMMER ACADEMY 2009 ORGANISATION TEAM OFFICERS Prof. Harald Von Kortzfleisch Mario Schaarschmidt Sabine Hulstrunk Students Sarah winkler Agnes Kwindzinski Anne Reuschenback Maria Solowejschik Dennis Bol Monique Vincon Thomas Andernach Stefan Olschenwski

13 SOCIAL PROGRAMS During the Summer Academy organizers manage to organize a series of social programs for students. After much academic works and brainstorming students also enjoyed the various social programs which were organized through the hardworking Summer Academy Project Team. The social programs were organized as follows; June, 29 th 2009 Department Get-together; At the first evening of the Summer Academy there was a nice get together which was organized by the Summer Academy Team in conjunction with the Computer Science Department of the University of Koblenz. It was heavily attended by academics, staff and students from both Germany and International. Students enjoying the get-together July, 2 nd 2009 Bar Hopping; In order to have an enjoyable start to the Summer Academy students had an introduction to Night life in Koblenz. So with the support of the Summer Academy Project team we embarked on a Bar hopping exercise where students had the opportunity to visit interesting club s in Koblenz such as Bar Rock, Agostea and Parler. Students really enjoyed night life in Koblenz and witnessed what Koblenz had to offer and where we can have fun apart from our studies in the University.

14 Bar Rock From Left to Right; Sanjeev (India), Olea Sikora (Moldova), Sarfo Baffour (Ghana), Thomas Adernach (Germany) & Agnes Kwinzinski (Germany) From Left to right Kofi Eric, Martin Danso,Patrick Schober, Christiano, Emmanuel Chapman, Frederico, Ankit, Mahmud, Sarfo, Manuel, Gernot & Ismail Hamdy

15 July 8 th 2009 Social Trip; On this trip students enjoyed the beauty of the Rhine Valley (UNESCO World Heritage Site). We also enjoyed the beautiful castles, medieval townships and the famous Loreley -Rock, Rhine Valley. We also made a trip by boat and a bus which gave us an impression of the culture of the people in the region as well as enjoying the beauty of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers. It was indeed a fantastic experience. Students on board a boat on the Rhine River

16 Students enjoying the Festung Ehrenbreitstein (fourth from left: Mitchris from Ghana) From left to right Seth Opare, Sarfo Baffour, Ankit & Emmanuel Deuchtse Eck July 11 th 2009 Cologne Trip;

17 We also had the opportunity to visit other cities other than Koblenz during our stay in Germany. A trip was organized by the Summer Academy Project team to Cologne. After some sightseeing and shopping in the city of Cologne we also had the opportunity to witness a breath taking event in Cologne which was known as Cologne Lights Up. During this event the whole city appeared in a great atmosphere of light. Students in Cologne Cologne Getting ready to Light Up

18 Cologne Lights Up Students enjoying themselves in Cologne

19 July, 13 th -15 th 2009 Brussels Trip; As part of the course International Economics students embarked on a visit to Belgium s capital which gave them detailed insight into the workings of the European Union. Besides the EU headquarters, Brussels also host the NATO headquarters. The tour to Brussels also included visits of key EU institutions such as the EU Parliament and other offices of the EU. EU Headquarters in Brussels

20 July 24 th 2009 Farewell Barbecue; After four weeks of interesting studies, series of assignments and examinations as well as a lot of fun, it was time to say goodbye. On this day the barbecue was attended by a most of the students who attended the 2009 Summer Academy as well as academic staff and the hardworking Summer Academy Project Team. Students shared their last experiences and said good bye to each other. It was really a sad moment as we had to leave our friends and professors who had become an integral part of our academic and social life. Academic Staff, Project Academy Farewell Barbecue

21 Conclusion In conclusion, we the students from Ghana who attended the 2009 Summer Academy at University of Koblenz were really privileged to have been given this opportunity by DAAD and the University of Koblenz to attend this fantastic academic program. It was indeed an opportunity of a life time which cannot be expressed in words but through the experiences we enjoyed in the course of the program. The friendship we have gained and the experiences we have gathered will no doubt prepare us for the future so that we can contribute towards the development and well being of our societies. We sincerely express our appreciation to the DAAD and the University of Koblenz for given us this opportunity. Special thanks also go to the Summer Academy Project Team, the Staff and students of the University of Koblenz for making the program a success. We hope to be back again in bigger medium.

22 The 2009 University of Koblenz Summer Academy Family