DkIT marketing students go global with Combilift
Marketing students at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) are set to reach new heights in their studies thanks to the launch of an international work-integrated learning programme for DkIT marketing students. The pioneering initiative brings together students from partner colleges in Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Finland, RMIT University, Australia and DkIT to work together on a 12-week global market research project aimed at increasing sales and market understanding for products by leading forklift manufacturer CombiLift worldwide.
The students will get the opportunity to experience working as part of a diverse, global marketing team as they collaborate with colleagues across different time zones, geographies and cultures.
They will use digital facilities such as Skype, Google Hangout and Moodle to manage communications across the team and will use a wide spectrum of on-line project management software to ensure that tasks are completed according to schedule around the clock.
For the purposes of the programme, Combilift will be treated as a client and the students will work as third-party marketing agents commissioned to deliver the commercially-focused research brief.
At the end of the 12 weeks, teams from Finland and Ireland will have opportunity to assemble on RMIT University campus in Melbourne to present their final report to their client. This is an opportunity for team members to meet each other face-to face for the very first time. Having completed the professional formal aspect of the Global Programme in Australia, teams also have time to explore the depth of culture that is available in Australia, bringing back home fond memories of their entire experience, and a very valuable addition to their CV and career prospects.
Martin McVicar, CEO of Combilift has been actively involved in the development of the new work-integrated learning programme and visited to DkIT campus to launch the initiative.
The launch was streamed live to Australia and Finland and included an interactive Q&A with students in RMIT and Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.
Mr. McVicar said: ‘ We in Combilift are a globally focused business exporting to more than 75 markets worldwide, are enthusiastic about been involved with this Global programme with participations from Ireland, Finland & Australia to come up with effective global marketing suggestions for our business’.
John Sisk, Lecturer in Marketing and Programme Director for Marketing Studies at DkIT said: ‘We are delighted to partner with Combilift on this new truly international work-integrated learning programme. Combilift is one of the great global enterprise success stories to come from the North East and the company continues to expand its export operations worldwide.
‘ The opportunity for our students to work alongside industry is critically important for the development of job-ready skills because it allows them to apply academic learning to real-life professional settings. Collaboration with colleagues in Finland and Australia means students are exposed to working in dynamic international teams - experience is sure to give them a competitive edge as they embark on their careers.’