CQUniversity's Dr Patrick Keleher recently conducted a successful series of workshops on 'Work Integrated Learning', at the Duale Hochschule Ravensburg - Baden-Wurttemberg (DHBW) Cooperative State University in Ravensburg, Baden-Wurttemberg.

The workshops involved 30 international business students and related to transdisciplinary approaches, generic and disciplinary technical skill and knowledge development, and the economic benefits of Work Integrated Learning for employers and employees.

Dr Patrick Keleher with International Business students at Ravensburg

Professor Karin Reinhard, Director of the International Business Program at the Cooperative State University, indicated she was keen to have Dr Keleher visit owing to his teaching, research and postgraduate supervisory experiences of transdisciplinary approaches to Work Integrated Learning.

The Cooperative State University is a dual-sector institution and students must first demonstrate they will be continuously employed with the same employer for the duration of their studies, with confirmation from their employer, before they are able to gain entry to their program of study.

This ensures students are exposed to practice-orientated work experience while studying and being employed.

Students undertake 6 x 12 weeks of study mixed in with 6 x 12 weeks of practical work experience. Their system and learning strategies contrasts well with a number of CQUniversity programs focused on Work Integrated Learning.

Dr Keleher had the opportunity to tour the engineering facilities at Friedrichshafen, located on Lake Constantine and home to the Zeppelin company, and to meet with academics.

"When I return later in the year I'll be exploring research projects relating to discipline and Work Integrated Learning approaches with the international business and engineering academics and international companies," he said.

Dr Keleher with Prof Karin Reinhard