Abstract:

Recognizing the vital role of information and communication technology (ICT) in ensuring global prosperity, the special funded four year EU-US Atlantis Program in “Global IT Project Management – GlobITpro” aims to initiate transatlantic transfer of knowledge in interdisciplinary research, entrepreneurship, global collaboration and IT management for students and faculty in IT and Business. The GlobITpro Program has been initiated by two EU-Universities and two US-Universities in the year 2009.

The overarching mission of this Exchange Program is to help students, administration and faculty to experience the global context in which IT and business models, value propositions, research and funding culture can be leveraged to realize dreams in the new innovation economy first-hand. Students successfully accomplishing this one year transatlantic experience will develop and strengthen not only their global mindset that is receptive to and respectful of cultural differences, but also their collaboration and teamwork skills resulting from working together creatively in cross-cultural groups and virtual teams on specific projects in the classroom and for the Business Plan competition.

Previous to the exchange, students participating have the chance to meet online with their counterparts using social media (eg. Facebook) initiating the forming of cross-cultural teams for the whole program duration. One of the main goals includes each transatlantic student group working together on a joint Business Plan, which outlines an innovative IT project that pertains to both the EU and USA. At the end of the exchange term an international jury of faculty and practitioners will evaluate all contributions and award a sponsored prize. This will allow the nurturing of strong partnerships, networks and creative ideas that can lead to collaborative enterprises between students, faculty and businesses from both continents.

Our key strategic objectives are (1) fostering purposeful learning to create structures and practices to support the development of globally savvy and strategic thinking students and educators within the consortium universities, (2) promoting connected learning to expand experiential learning opportunities, (3) accelerating global learning to make an international and multicultural immersion experience for all students possible, (4) improving the quality of human resource development in both the European Community and the United States of America, including the acquisition of skills required to meet the challenges of the global knowledge-based economy and (5) building a sustainable bridge of knowledge and understanding for further innovative IT driven project initiatives between the US and EU.

Keywords:

excellence, it-management, exchange program, intercultural experience.