International Business Management excursion to Luka Koper, Spica International, Ljubljanske Mlekarne and Pittini Group

Luka_Koper2.JPG
International Business Management students visiting Luka Koper together with IBM Program Director Dietmar Sternad and Senior Lecturer Katarina Gutownig-Fürst

Once again, the International Business Management (IBM) students were able to experience an interesting excursion as part of their curriculum. This year, the first-year master’s students visited several companies in Slovenia and Italy together with IBM program director Dietmar Sternad and Senior Lecturer Katarina Gutownig-Fürst.

On the first day of the excursion, the students visited Luka Koper, a company that offers logistics services in the port of Koper. Luka Koper operates the multi-purpose port, which is an essential connection point for maritime transport in the Mediterranean Sea and between Asia and Europe. The students were given a company presentation by Mr. Rok Štemberger from the PR department, followed by an extensive Q & A session. Afterwards, Ms. Ksenija Makovac from the commercial team guided the group on a tour through the port, where the students were shown the port ʻin action.ʼ After spare time in Koper, the group headed on to Ljubljana, where they enjoyed a joint dinner and a free evening in the capital of Slovenia.

The second visit was made to Spica International on day 2 of the excursion. Spica is an international software provider for human-centric and smart workforce management solutions. The IBM students were already familiar with the company based on a project collaboration in December last year. During the company visit, students gained highly valuable insights in a presentation and discussion round with CEO Tone Stanovnik, HR manager Katja Oblak and SaaS (software as a service) manager Dario Radošević.

In the afternoon, the study trip continued with a visit to Ljubljanske Mlekarne. The company is part of Lactalis group and is the largest dairy producer in Slovenia. After a brief company presentation, the students directly dived into a discussion round with marketing manager Tina Kumelj, HR business partner Teo Ferfolja, Technological Developer Tomaž Pokorn and Maja Kalan Pongrac, Head of Corporate Communication. The discussion round was followed by a tour of the production by Mr. Pokorn, and the company visit ended with a well-appreciated degustation of delicious ice cream of Ljubljanske Mlekarne’s brand Maxim.

After a wonderful last evening in Ljubljana, the study group packed their bags the next day to travel to Udine, where everyone was able to explore the beautiful old town. Afterwards, the excursion was concluded with a visit at Pittini Group, a globally active steel producer for the construction and mechanical industry. First, students were given a presentation by CEO Paolo Felice, Chief Commercial Officer Andrea Floreani, Head of HR Micaela Di Giusto and Research and Development Director Loris Bianco and were able to ask any ʻburning questionsʼ. Afterwards, the students changed into protective gear and were given a tour through the very impressive production plant (melt shop).

Enriched with several experiences and an extended business network, the students arrived back in Villach in the evening of the last excursion day.