Internationalizing Business Education Through Professional Certifications

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Students of Intercultural Management BA program (ICM): Azhar Yessenova, Suzana Kissiana, Bozhidara Georgieva, Devin Majilana, Vasiliy Polishchuk, and Mikhail Polishchuk, have demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm and progress in this program.

At Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), we are reshaping the future of business education by embedding professional certifications directly into our curriculum. As part of our Business Bachelor Program, we’ve partnered with Google to integrate the Google Career Certificates into our Business Research classes, providing students with cutting-edge tools to excel both academically and professionally. This initiative is part of a broader strategic partnership with Google aimed at equipping students with globally recognized micro-credentials.

This partnership aligns  with FACHHOCHSCHULE KÄRNTEN's 2023 strategy, which highlights the significance of digital skills development and the internationalization of regional higher education institutions.

Starting in their third semester, Business students embark on a transformative journey into qualitative and quantitative research methods in business organizations. To elevate their skills, we’ve seamlessly integrated Google’s “Foundations: Data Everywhere” certification into the research module.

Through this innovative pedagogical approach, students engage in self-directed, asynchronous learning, utilizing:

  • Microlearning videos featuring insights from Google staff,
  • Interactive quizzes to test and reinforce knowledge, and
  • Self-guided tutorials on advanced data management techniques.

This hands-on experience with professional tools enables students to gain practical expertise while earning a globally recognized certification, significantly boosting their employability.

Empowering Students for Career Success
Our students have wholeheartedly embraced this opportunity, and the results speak for themselves. The integration has not only enhanced their research competencies but also set them apart in a competitive job market, enhancing their employability.
A special thanks goes to Evelyn Leu from Google Switzerland for her unwavering support. Evelyn shared:
“Congratulations, Svetlana and the entire team at FACHHOCHSCHULE KÄRNTEN, on this fantastic success! We're so proud to partner with you and support your mission to equip students with essential digital skills.”

The partnership, established in Spring 2023, has expanded access to Google Career Certificates in Project Management, Digital Marketing, and Data Analytics for students across BA and MA levels. This initiative, under the Google Career Certificate Scholarship Program EMEA, provides invaluable international certifications to our learners.

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and expertise of Andy Poole, EdTech expert from Coursera, whose advice and mentoring were instrumental in designing effective integration models.

A Vision for the Future
Our collaboration with Google and Coursera exemplifies CUAS’s commitment to strategic internationalization and digital innovation in education. Through initiatives like this, we continue to prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow, ensuring they are job-ready but also future-ready.

Learn more about our Project Management Google Certification integration:

#MoreThanGrades | #GrowWithGoogle

Coordinator:
FH-prof. Dr. Svetlana Buko, School of Management Vice Dean for Internationalization.