Swiss-Balkan Design Bridge Work in a Swiss-Bosnia team to develop approaches and solutions for concrete, economical and societal challenges using design thinking methodology.

The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (School of Business and School of Social Work) is organizing this unique summer school in cooperation with the organization i-dijaspora and the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Students from both universities will work together for eight days in Bosnia and Herzegovina on concrete projects on the topics of economic and social development. Using Design Thinking methods, we bring together diverse disciplines and knowledge – and build bridges into the future. 

Overview

During 7 days in Bosnia and Herzegovina, students will – together with their peers from Bosnia and Herzegovina – develop innovative and sustainable solutions for start-ups and SMEs (small- and medium-sized enterprises) located in middle Bosnia and Herzegovina. Students will have the chance to visit various companies/factories/projects and afterwards will be divided in small groups where they will work on finding solutions/proposals for a specific company/factory/project. The whole process will be facilitated by professionals and activities will be implemented using design thinking methodologies for better outcomes. With the guidance of mentors and professionals, students will prepare short presentation as an output, which will be presented to respective companies and other stakeholders.

Facts

Semester

Takes place in the spring semester. The ECTS-credits can be counted for the spring semester or the fall semester. Next start: 2025 spring semester

Anmeldeschluss

30.04.2025

Unterrichtssprache
  • Englisch
Zeitmodell

Block week after the exams: 28.06. – 05.07.2025
(start 5pm in Bosnia Herzegovina; closure 5pm in Bosnia Herzegovina)

Introductory event for participating students from Switzerland:
07.05.2025, 5:30-7:00 pm (online)

Event for all students:
04.06.2025, 5:30-7:00 pm (online)

First option for more information: International Talk at HSLU-School of Social Work at 10.12.2025, 6-9pm (send an email to ivica.petrusic@hslu.ch)

ECTS/Anerkennung

See: ISA-Programm/ECTS-Punkte

Anbieter
Wirtschaft
Soziale Arbeit
Leistungsnachweis

Final presentation after design thinking challenge, notes during the cooperation process with their peers and individual reflection on the learning process (max. 5 pages in English or German).

Modulleitung
Dozent/in
Dozent/in (extern)

Aldin Vrskic (i-dijaspora)
Nermin Zejnilovic (i-dijaspora)
Colleagues from Universities from Bosnia and Herzegovina

 
Teilnahmeberechtigung

Interest in the following: Swiss-Balkan relations; social, cultural and business development in Eastern Europe (and in the world); international relations; global issues; intercultural topics; sustainability; local development; communication; design thinking; creativity and innovation; teamwork; leadership; personal development.

Eingangskompetenzen

Basic knowledge in economics, business, local development, design thinking (preparatory reading will be required depending on previous expertise).

Zielkompetenzen

This program provides students with a hands-on experience working on real-world business and social challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Students will engage in interdisciplinary learning, combining elements from business, economics, and design thinking. Through this, they will develop critical skills in ethical decision making, strategic and operational issue analysis, communication, negotiation, and intercultural teamwork. The Swiss-Balkan Design Bridge is an excellent opportunity for students to enhance their employability and gain practical insights into international business environments.

Lehr- und Lernmethoden

Design thinking, problem-/solution-based learning, business canvas, lectures, excursions, immersion, self-regulated work/learning, presentations, Handlungsmodell Soziokulturelle Arbeit (noch keine passende Übersetzung).

Lehrmittel

Will be provided before the summer school.

Programmart
ISA Modul
Durchführungsort

Verschiedene

Bemerkungen

Location: Travnik/ Zenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The program is designed as interdisciplinary as evidenced both by the design thinking methodology, by the broad range of faculty members included and partnership created with institutions and organisations from Bosnia and Herzegovina. During this stay, participants will have optional field trips in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This field trips will be partially or fully covered by students. 

Costs: CHF 400-500 per student (expenses); Movetia (the national agency for the promotion of exchanges and mobility in the education system) finances the trip, basic accommodation and meals for the participants.