International Student Teams Worked on Local Challenges During the Simonyi Summer School

During the programme, students from Ohio University, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek and the University of Pécs Faculty of Business and Economics worked together in international consulting teams. Participants were supported by guest professors and professional mentors, including Dr. Krystal Geyer, Aaron Wilson, Julia Perić and Marina Stanić. The aim of the intensive two-week work was for students to develop feasible, creative and sustainable solutions to real organisational challenges, while gaining direct experience in consulting, social entrepreneurship and international teamwork.

What makes the Simonyi Summer School unique is that students do not work on case studies or simulated business situations, but engage with real project owners, current challenges and initiatives that have a meaningful local impact. Throughout the programme, the teams consulted with representatives of the participating organisations, developed ideas, tested their proposals and presented their solutions.

This year, ten local projects provided the framework for the collaborative work. The challenges included the development of fundraising and supporter programmes, the creation of sustainable social enterprise models, the design of modern marketing and social media strategies, the support of tourism and cultural projects, and the strengthening of the visibility and long-term sustainability of local community initiatives.

The participating teams worked with organisations and initiatives such as Élmény Tár, Öko-Kuckó, DRUKKER Community Print Workshop, Pécs Community Foundation, Pécs Market Hall, Retextil Foundation, Fogd a Kezem Foundation, Janus Pannonius Museum and the Orfű Tourism Association. What these projects had in common was their focus on community value creation, sustainability, social impact or the development of the local economy.

The students’ tasks included, among others, designing regular donor programmes, developing online and offline fundraising strategies, creating social media concepts aimed at younger target groups, mapping potential European partnerships, and preparing business and marketing solutions that can support the long-term operation of local organisations. The diversity of the projects clearly demonstrated that social entrepreneurship is not merely a business-related concept, but also involves connecting community, cultural, environmental and economic impact.

In line with the practice-oriented educational approach of UPFBE, the programme created an opportunity for students to work in an international environment with real clients and current local challenges. This form of experiential learning not only supported the students’ professional development, but also contributed to the Faculty’s knowledge and international network being channelled into tangible support for organisations in Pécs and the wider region.

The Simonyi Summer School therefore represented an intensive professional challenge, an international learning experience and a form of community value creation at the same time. During the two weeks, participants worked to contribute to the development of the South Transdanubian region with fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and practical solutions.