2/10/2023

Port of Aarhus and Aarhus University collaborate on challenges from the business sector: It provides settled students

When studying at the university, it's important to master the theory. Practical experience will come later, once the degree is obtained and a career awaits. However, sometimes it's beneficial to gain some early experience with the challenges one might end up solving when they have their degree.

A group of students in the Digital Business Management program at Aarhus University has been given this opportunity, as they are currently working on a case from Port of Aarhus.

"Our mission at our part of the university is to create value for companies. In this light, collaboration with companies like Port of Aarhus is important, so the students always keep in mind that even though it may be theoretical, it's never more abstract than someone actually implementing these things every single day," says Christian Waldstrøm, Vice Head of Department at the Department of Business Administration under BSS.

As the name of the program suggests, the students are enhancing their skills in digitalization and business development.

And even though Port of Aarhus is not exactly a new company, many new things are happening in the area.

The team is working on a case focusing on the Smart Crane app. It's an app that collects and visualizes data from the cranes, and the students' task is to analyze how we can make the most of the information

— says Karsten Bove, Business Developer at Port o fAarhus.

He teaches the course together with Claus Holm, Head of Creative Tech at Klean Group. They are the ones who developed Smart Crane.

And there are plenty of benefits for companies when they present real-world challenges with digitalization.

"Personally, I enjoy teaching, and it's great to give something back to the city's students. And of course, the port benefits a lot from the collaboration. We get brand-new knowledge, and we get help solving practical problems," says Karsten Bove.

The students all have in common that they have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree - or something equivalent if they come from abroad.

At this stage in their education, they have read many books, so case assignments directly from the business world are welcomed. It proves that what they have learned can be used for more than just getting good grades.

"It's great because you get to use the theory you've learned, and you gain insight into the complex issues that companies face. It shows you that you really need to learn something and pay attention because you'll need it one day," says Kasper Lading, who is pursuing his Master's degree in Digital Business Management and is one of the students in the course taught by Karsten Bove.

Christian Waldstrøm is pleased that the case assignments increase motivation

But he experiences many other advantages of the collaboration, which are invaluable in the bigger picture.