New inspiration for teaching through international exchange in Denmark

From 12 to 14 November 2025, Prof. (FH) Dr. Claudia van der Vorst, MBA, Vice Director of the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol, visited the partner university Business Academy South West in Esbjerg, Denmark, as part of an inspiring lecturer exchange focusing on international project management. Her visit laid the foundation for intensive cooperation with the host university. The exchange offered numerous encounters and professional discussions and opened up a wide range of perspectives for future cooperation.

As part of the Erasmus+ university mobility program, teachers and university staff at Austrian universities have the opportunity to take part in funded short stays at partner universities in Europe or worldwide. Erasmus+ Staff Mobility not only supports professional development and the exchange of experiences, but also promotes the establishment and maintenance of international networks in the scientific and administrative fields.

GREAT INTEREST IN PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE AND PARTNERSHIP

During a shared dinner with the lecturers, Dr. Claudia van der Vorst met representatives of the host university, Prof. Trine Thomsen and Liselotte Kaus. In a relaxed atmosphere, initial discussions took place about teaching traditions, international orientation, and joint projects, which revealed the enthusiasm of both sides for long-term cooperation. This meeting marked the start of the following days, which were filled with new insights and personal encounters.

On the first day, the Danish hosts gave the representative from FH Kufstein Tirol a warm welcome – even displaying an Austrian flag on campus. This was immediately followed by teaching, with lectures focusing on project management in international comparison and the role of managers in project success. The discussions highlighted how different cultures, communication, and leadership models are around the world – and which success factors are nevertheless universally applicable. Other items on the program offered deeper insights into university culture: during a campus tour, the departments of the Business Academy presented their laboratories, projects, and research focuses. Numerous discussions provided insights into working and learning methods, with a particular focus on collaboration at the student level.

A particular highlight was the international fair, where students from all over the world designed their own country stands. Dr. Claudia van der Vorst also presented the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol and encountered great interest in study opportunities, exchange programs, and the diverse range of courses on offer. The International Relations Office in Esbjerg, represented by Liselotte Kaus, also confirmed its strong interest in a more intensive partnership. As early as next fall, the first students from Kufstein will travel to Esbjerg for their semester abroad, while Danish students will have the opportunity to get to know Kufstein as an exchange destination.

Claudia van der Vorst contributed to the virtual Christmas party with her own contribution to mark the end of the exchange. In keeping with the theme of the Winter Olympics, she surprised the other professors with a video she had made herself – a charming gesture that clearly demonstrated the bond between the two universities.

AN EXCHANGE WITH SYMBOLIC POWER AND GREAT POTENTIAL

The visit to Denmark clearly demonstrated how closely aligned the two institutions are in terms of content and how motivated both sides are. As early as spring 2026, a delegation from Esbjerg comprising representatives from science, administration, and teaching will travel to Kufstein to further deepen the cooperation in terms of both content and strategy.

The three-day visit was characterized by openness, curiosity, and a shared desire to learn from one another. The exchange between the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol and the Business Academy South West not only provides scientific and didactic inspiration, but also opens up new international perspectives for students and teachers at both institutions – a promising start with great potential for the future.

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