Empowering the next generation of business leaders: The Vienna Innovation Program^WU 2024 took place in May, inspiring a select group of participants from around the world. For two weeks, WU master’s students and international students immersed themselves in innovation management and organizational development. Beyond the excellent academic program, participants enjoyed exchanging personal experiences through a rich social and intercultural agenda.

Univ.-Prof. Christopher Lettl (Head of the Institute for Strategy, Technology and Organization) led the academic program, supported by his team members Alessio Delpero, MBA, PhD, and Dr. Sonja Sperber.

How did the Vienna Innovation Program^WU enrich your academic and cultural experience, and what specific aspects of the program did you find most valuable in terms of lectures, group work, and real-life business problem-solving?

• Arianne Buzar (University of Calgary, Canada): It has been an enriching experience both academically and culturally. It offers a great blend of lectures and group work. The professors are highly knowledgeable, and the speakers are incredibly engaging. The courses—covering sustainability, networking in innovation, modern leadership, and AI—are timely and relevant.

• Rocio Candela Goncalves Losa (University Torcuato di Tella, Argentina): The program offers a unique chance to work on real-life business problems and engage with a diverse and multicultural cohort. Additionally, it incorporates typical Austrian activities, providing a well-rounded experience. Through this program, I gained new technical tools for tackling business challenges and everyday tasks, and I significantly expanded my professional network.

• Xhulia Tafa (WU Vienna): As a WU student, the program significantly enriched my studies by seamlessly blending academic rigor with practical experience and cultural immersion. The program facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration, problem-solving, and equipped me with practical skills and global perspectives.

Can you tell us what makes the Vienna Innovation Program^WU a highlight of your academic schedule?

• Academic team (Christopher Lettl, Sonja Sperber, and Alessio Delpero): Experiencing the Vienna Innovation Program^WU from a lecturer’s perspective is certainly one of the highlights of our academic schedule each year. Both the international setting and the diverse educational backgrounds of our students add a very unique and highly rewarding note in classroom discussions and project collaboration among students from around the world. We specifically enjoyed the high motivation among our WU and international students to acquire new knowledge, engage in fruitful discussions, and develop professional approaches to current business cases.

What was it like coordinating the program? What challenges and highlights did the tasks bring?

• Vanja Vukovic (Program Coordinator): The program was an immensely enjoyable experience for me, both in the planning stage and during the program itself. Both students and lecturers showed strong engagement and interest in the program, and I feel that the group dynamics were excellent throughout the two weeks. The students gained knowledge on innovation, expanded their academic and professional networks, and made long-lasting friendships. This is the optimal outcome for any international program, and the long-term benefits for the students are already palpable.

Would you like to participate in an International Short Program, too? Click here to see an overview of International Short Programs WU has to offer.