From November 3 to November 9, 2024, the second short-term mobility of the year was held as part of the DAAD-funded HSM.internationalER 2023-2024 project.
During the week-long study trip, students enhanced their understanding of Azerbaijan’s educational, industrial, and economic landscapes. The program, titled "Caspian Academic Expedition: Exploring Azerbaijan’s Rich Educational and Industrial History in the Region's Past and Future Development", mainly focused on Azerbaijan’s historical and emerging role in both energy production and academic excellence. This was explored in collaboration with partner universities Baku Higher Oil School (Baki Ali Neft Məktəbi) and Baku Western Caspian University (Qərbi Kaspi Universiteti).
The trip offered a comprehensive understanding of Azerbaijan’s role in the Caspian region, blending educational exchanges, university lectures, discussion sessions, field visits, and intercultural workshops— all aimed at enhancing students’ intercultural competencies. In addition, students had the opportunity to meet with the Deputy Head of Mission from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Baku, gaining a deeper understanding of Azerbaijan's history, its current context, and the dynamic relationship between Azerbaijan and Germany. A final project provided students the chance to reflect on all they had learned and experienced throughout the trip.
Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences offers students unique opportunities to engage with diverse cultures, develop cross-cultural competencies, and gain practical insights that enhance their academic and professional growth through various international projects. The HSM.InternationalER 2023-2024 project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research under the DAAD funding line HAW.International, supports students with limited mobility experience through practical short-term mobilities within the Short-Term.International subproject. The final short-term mobility activity of 2024 is scheduled to take place at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC Rio) and Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC Minas) in Brazil, from December 8 to 14, 2024.
For questions and further information, please contact the Head of the Project Dr. Paul Voerkel, or the Project Management Team: Jana Blochberger and Anastasiia Dzham.