International Program Stories | Bachelor in International Business & Technology

The web portal Study in Greece is campaigning for the promotion and international visibility of Greek Universities and the comparative educational advantages of our country. In particular, the campaign focuses on the foreign language study programs that Greek Universities offer to Greek and international students. The initiative is supported by the General Secretariat of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In this context, a number of educational programs and actions are presented in detail on a regular basis, such as undergraduate and postgraduate programs, summer schools etc, to inform international students about the many foreign language options offered by Greek Universities.

Mr Manolopoulos, what inspired AUEB to launch a Bachelor program exclusively in English, focusing on International Business and Technology?

AUEB is one of the oldest and most distinguished Universities in Greece, one that –according to global educational rankings– is also highly respected worldwide. At the same time, it is a pioneering University that pushes the frontiers of education. The need to have a program for international students became evident during the past few years, when recent events emphasized the strength, a global community offers and the impact it can have in resolving global challenges in the field of business education and practice. Our aspirations as an educational institution have always revolved around creating meaningful change that brings value to society and this means developing an innovative program in International Business and Technology (IBT) in terms of curriculum as well as in terms of benefits to our students. Students coming here will have the chance to learn from leading experts in their fields, live and study in a multicultural environment, and start the next chapter in their lives. IBT aims to offer a community that students will be proud and excited to be a part of. AUEB offers an enhanced international perspective, expanded career opportunities and global networking.

How does this program differentiate itself from other similar degrees offered in Europe or globally?

IBT is designed to fill the void of a Bachelor’s level program that can combine international business and management with associated technology applications and analytics; notably, it is one among the very few BSc that combine such specializations. Let me also add that IBT is a program that is not behind corporate practice. Our professors have excellent academic backgrounds and extensive experience in the corporate world, therefore bridging the gap between theory and practice.

However, apart from the curriculum that includes the most recent and highly-demanded research areas; such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, negotiations and machine learning, it is our approach towards education itself that differentiate our program: we depart from traditional teaching methods, focusing on enhancing student engagement, critical thinking, and real-world application of knowledge. In this regard, we have small and engaging classes, we adopt a student-center focus, we prioritize active learning and real-world relevance and recognize that each student learns differently. In that sense, we provide paths to our students to learn at their own pace.

What specific skills and competencies will students develop in this program that will make them competitive in the global job market?

We want our students to follow their dream and study business in an international environment, but also to find deep meaning in their studies and use our knowledge to create innovations that can improve the corporate world and shape the future. For this reason, we have structured a program that offers theoretical knowledge on a variety of fields during the first two years of studies and the opportunity to specialize during the third and fourth year. Students will gain a broad understanding on the concepts of marketing, accounting, economics, organizational psychology, and statistics before they delve into their specialization and become highly skilled in their chosen field. They will develop their creativity and imagination, their problem-solving ability, sharpen their critical thinking, become adaptive and gain skills that are immediately applicable in the industry. A solid understanding of different business fields paired with specialized knowledge of technology applications and methodologies will give students the tools they need to become future leaders with a profound impact in tomorrow’s world.

How does the program cater to the needs and challenges faced by international students, such as cultural adaptation and language support?

Studying in Athens is a unique experience and we are here to help make it exceptional and memorable for each one of our students. An international environment always brings many challenges that we as academics need to recognize and help students navigate through them. All IBT courses are taught in English. Understanding the language and being able to express oneself can become overwhelming. The university offers general English language courses as well as terminology courses that have proven invaluable to our students. IBT’s curriculum also includes Greek language classes that help students learn the Greek language, understand the culture, and integrate smoothly in the environment. Students can also register to study other foreign languages to expand their horizons. Foreigner students have the opportunity to become members of many clubs and associations according to their interests. The clubs also host cultural events, excursions, parties and other activities providing our students the opportunity to get to know each other, make friends with peers and exchange views. IBT has also collaborated with trusted real estate agencies to provide excellent accommodation options with safe and fully equipped apartment buildings strategically located close to the University. Career guidance is also available to all students, offering tailored, impartial advice, and support through our extensive business network.

How does this program align with AUEB’s broader vision and goals for internationalization?

AUEB’s history proves its innovative character. The University has an active participation in the international academic environment by developing notable collaborations with institutes around the world. It is also one of the first Universities to have Research Laboratories, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, that contribute to the advancement of global research. The opportunity to build an international program was in fact an innovation opportunity for us, one that aligns with AUEB’s values of providing excellent education and equal chances with a zero-tolerance policy for discriminations. AUEB ranks higher each year in the Sustainable Development Goals list as we firmly believe that Universities are organizations that can and should have a long-term positive impact in the world.

What message would you like to share with students who consider pursuing this degree at AUEB? In IBT we will ask you to question your own views, to uncover new ways of thinking, and challenge your perspective. We encourage diversity of thought and freedom of speech and we want you to take a stand and think deeply on a matter. You will be challenged to set high standards for yourself and at the same time be open to influence. If you wish to surpass your own expectations for yourself when you leave the class, IBT is the place for you.

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