On 18th September 2024, the academic staff of Varna University of Management had the opportunity to learn more about the project titled “Simulation of Sustainable International Business” (SOS IB). Developed through an international partnership and funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, the initiative aims to implement innovative teaching methods and tools by creating digital simulations and a mobile game focused on sustainability in international business.
About the Project and Its Goals
The SOS IB project brings together three higher education institutions and the Croatian Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility (IDOP) to develop digital simulations that can be integrated into both educational and business environments. The primary aim is to enhance the quality of education through innovative practices and to facilitate international collaboration among students and lecturers across various disciplines.
The project’s core objectives include:
Developing a free digital tool for simulating sustainable international business operations in higher education and business training.
Training academic staff to use digital simulations and innovative teaching methods.
Testing the simulations in partner higher education institutions.
Creating a mobile game for individual learning, based on gamification principles.
Conducting a case study on the impact of digital tools on the internationalization of smaller higher education institutions.
Project Results and Innovations
The project will deliver four key outputs, which will be freely accessible to all interested parties:
A Digital Tool for the creation of simulations applicable in both higher education and business contexts.
Simulation Scenarios, tested and integrated into the academic curricula of partner institutions.
A Mobile Game for sustainable international business, designed for individual learning.
A Case Study and research on the effects of introducing digital tools on the internationalization of small higher education institutions.
Project Partners
The project involves:
RRiF College of Financial Management, Zagreb, Croatia
Varna University of Management (VUM), Varna, Bulgaria
Croatian Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility (IDOP), Zagreb, Croatia
International Cooperation and Future Prospects
The project’s presentation to the academic staff of the Varna University of Management opened new opportunities for active involvement of both lecturers and students in the development of innovative and sustainable practices. The simulations and the mobile game will provide a platform for virtual collaboration, exchange of ideas, and the creation of practice-oriented educational content.
The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme (KA2: Cooperation Partnerships in Higher Education) and will continue to expand the boundaries of interdisciplinary and international collaboration in the fields of education and business.
For more information, you can find out here:
https://www.vsr.si/en/project-sos/
