Israelis gained insight into education at Cphbusiness

- It was very interesting for us. During our study trip to Denmark we have visited many organisations and government units, but this was our first session about higher education and it gave us a different perspective and taught us a lot, says Roey Schiff from the Civil Service Cadet Program that educates future leaders for the Israeli public sector.

- Our dialogue with the Israelis was very inspiring. It's a breath of fresh air that everyone needs now and then, says Michael Huss Svejstrup, Dean of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Cphbusiness.

Together with other representatives from the Israeli Embassy in Denmark and the Civil Service Cadet Program, Roey Schiff visited Cphbusiness Lyngby to hear about innovation and entrepreneurship and how Cphbusiness teaches it.

Roey Schiff from the Civil Service Cadet Program (third from the left).

A different focus on the students

The Civil Service Cadet Program educates future leaders for the public sector in Israel and the representatives were interested in hearing about Cphbusiness' approach to the students.

- Here we see a focus on the students, what skill set they need and what we can give the students in order for them to succeed. I think that is asking a different question: Not what we can gain from the students, but what we can give to the students. I think that is something we should definitely adopt more in Israel, says Rachel Ran from Israel's Civil Service Cadet Program.

Rachel Ran from the Civil Service Cadet Program (third from the right).

At the same time, she thinks elements from the Civil Service Cadet Program are very similar to Cphbusiness' approach to education.

- We have different teams and build our own learning plan for different themes. For example we could have a month to learn about the economy of Israel and we would have guidance from staff, but otherwise do things ourselves. I think that type of student engagement is a very unique approach to learning. I see that here and it is very interesting to see it on a broader level. Not from a civil service or technological perspective, but as an educational agenda. That was impressive for us to see, says Rachel Ran.

Cphbusiness can learn a lot from Israel

A group of students from the Top-up Bachelor's degree programme in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Cphbusiness and lecturer Rune Meyer visited Israel earlier in 2017.

- We can learn a lot from Israel and the Israelis. Israel is called The Startup Nation and is comparable to Silicon Valley. We would like to adopt the mentality that the Israelis have in relation to entrepreneurship. That is why we would like more students to go on study trips and with this visit we have even more contacts to draw on, says Rune Meyer.

- In Israel there is a lot of innovation and a pioneering approach towards businesses. People are not that afraid to fail and that is why you see a lot of startups come and go. I know that is one of the reasons Rune and the students went to Israel. That approach is something that anyone can adopt, says Roey Schiff from Israel’s Civil Service Cadet Program.

Lecturer Rune Meyer from Cphbusiness.

Mix the cultures and gain an advantage

- I think there is something about the nature of Israel as a new country and the political and social characteristics that makes Israeli business environment very quick to adapt. I think that ability to adapt is what makes us The Startup Nation because you need to have very good problem solving skills and adapt very quickly, says Rachel Ran from the Civil Service Cadet Program.

- That is the main cultural difference I see between Denmark and Israel. If you take the advantages of the Danish culture, learn this from Israeli culture and mix it, you will definitely gain an advantage, she says.

Student Viktoria Andrea Kanyik went on a study trip to Israel with Cphbusiness during her Top-up Bachelor's degree programme in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Trips to Israel will possibly be part of the programme

- The visit from this group of future leaders in the Israeli administration gave us a real insight into what other countries see as strengths and challenges in relation to higher education and the skill sets that are needed in the future, says Michael Huss Svejstrup, Dean of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and continues:

- In the short term, concrete opportunities for cooperation can emerge. Among other things, in relation to our business - learning and teaching.

He says that Cphbusiness is planning a winter admission at the Top-up Bachelor's degree programme in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and he would like to see a stay abroad similar to the trip to Israel become a natural part of being a student.

You can read more about the Top-up Bachelor's degree programme in Innovation and Entrepreneurship on cphbusiness.dk here: Innovation and Entrepreneurship.