On June 6th and 7th, Tongji on Tracks 2016 spent two days at Kalsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the first destination of the trip, for an intensive course with the theme of Technology Entrepreneurship.
KIT is one of the largest and most prestigious research and education institutions in Germany known for its high quality of research work around the world. It was created in 2009 when the University of Kalsruhe founded in 1825 merged with the Kalsruhe Research Center. Through supporting various innovation and entrepreneurship cultures, KIT emphasis on applying its research and technology to related industry and society.
Tongji on Tracks 2016 were warmly welcomed by teachers and students from KIT. Ms. Hanjie and Mr. Oliver Schmidt from International Affairs Office introduced students to KIT. Subsequently, Prof. Orestis Terzidis from Entrepreneurship and Technology Management Program designed a two-day intensive course for Tongji on Tracks students, expecting to equip students with basic knowledge of technology-driven entrepreneurship. As a postdoc in physics, Prof. Terzidis has worked in SAP for 13 years. He joined in KIT in 2011, devoting to education and research related to entrepreneurship.
Starting from the practical experience of Entrepreneurship and Technology Management Program, Prof. Terzidis introduced basic concepts of entrepreneurship, related elements including market and technology, method of analyzing business model, etc. Three workshops were done in between four lectures, that giving students chance to design and develop their own entrepreneurial ideas with the theme of Light. By combining theory and practice, students were able to understand and experience the whole process for doing a startup. They came up with multiple ideas, including smart light service for family users and professional light show service for museums, showing the advantage of multi-disciplinary collaboration.
The two-day intensive studying experience has made students know themselves and each other better through teamwork, as well as learn the significance of overcoming themselves and exploring new possibilities. Meanwhile, working in foreign environment provided them German way of thinking which is more direct compared to Chinese culture, offering more options for students solving problems. Some of them were even encouraged to make their entrepreneurial ideas into real startups!
Before leaving KIT, students were invited to a party with PionierGarage, a local entrepreneurship group, exchanged ideas about entrepreneurship, innovation and daily life in China and Germany, and enjoyed a wonderful night.
