UNIVERSITY OF KOBLENZ SUMMER ACADEMY
JUNE 29TH – JULY 24TH
REPORT
PARTICIPANTS FROM GHANA
1. SETH OPARE
INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
2. SARFO BAFFOUR G.K
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
3. EMMANUEL CHAPMAN KODAM
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
4. MARTIN DANSO
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
5. ERIC KOFFI HAGAN
NIIT
6. MITCHRIS CHAPMAN KODAM
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
2009 UNIVERSITY OF KOBLENZ SUMMER ACADEMY REPORT
FOREWORD
Having been in the academia for my most parts of my life, I am pleased to be part of the 2009 University
of Koblenz Summer Academy, which was unique in many ways;
• It was a very successful combination of learning, travel and discovery.
• It provided the opportunity to experience diversity of cultures and nationalities.
• It was uniquely composed of young people with a great potential to become tomorrow’s
leaders.
• The participants represented a very good combination of students from developed as well as
developing and emerging economies.
The 2009 Summer Academy in particular has demonstrated a strong ability to manage time, stress and
combine serious academic work and recreational activities. The cohesion among students, staff and
organizers has been exemplary of how heterogeneous communities can achieve harmony and live in
peace together in a multicultural environment where respect, understanding, care and teaching and
learning was witnessed.
I have no doubt that many members of the 2009 University of Koblenz Summer Academy will go very far
and contribute to their various societies they find themselves and also be models of worthy emulation in
their societies, communities and countries.
Sarfo Baffour G.K
University of Ghana
THE 2009 UNIVERSITY OF KOBLENZ SUMMER ACADEMY
A bold educational and cultural initiative, the 2009 Summer Academy was a unique study abroad
opportunity for global- minded university students to live and learn in a multicultural environment .Four
weeks of intense academic work combined with a host of social programs were the unique
characteristics of the Summer Academy organized by the University of Koblenz which was made up of
almost 80 students from 17 countries.
On the 24th
of June 2009 Six students from GHANA namely Sarfo Baffour G.K, Martin Danso, Seth
Opare, Emmanuel Chapman Kodam, Mitchris Chapman Kodam and Kofi Eric Hagan who were
beneficiaries of DAAD scholarships to attend the 2009 Summer Academy organized by the University of
Koblenz converged at the Kotoka International Airport to board an Emirates Airline en route to
Frankfurt.
We embarked on our trip to Germany on the 24th
of June 2009 from Ghana where we had a stopover in
Dubai on the 25th
of July before emplaning to Germany from Dubai on the 25th
of July. This dream
became a reality when we finally arrived at the Frankfurt Airport at exactly 13:15 on the 25th
July.
More significantly was our nice ride on the ice train from Frankfurt to Koblenz where we were met on
arrival by staff of the University of Koblenz namely Ms. Sabine Hulstrunk and Mr. Mario Shaarchmidt.
The opportunity of meeting people from diverse cultures reflects a larger change within us. The Summer
Academy community celebrates difference and diversity as we learned about Germany, other cultures
and share our own ideas.
The Summer Academy has provided adrenalin within individual participants. Now we emerge from an
experience that has changed each of us undeniably.
In this picture from left to right; Sarfo Baffour, Mitchris Chapman & Martin Danso @ Dubai Airport
From Left to right; Ali Zuhair, Agnes, Sarfo, Sabine, Mitchris, Seth Opare & Martin
The Summer Academy Community
Students who attended the 2009 University of Koblenz Summer Academy who were beneficiaries of
DAAD scholarship of which participants from Ghana were significant beneficiaries lived in residential
hostels, small living and learning communities composed of an internationally diverse group of students.
The residential facilities included both the House St. Joseph which was located in Vallendar and House
Providentia which was also located in Metternich a few minutes’ drive or walk from the main University
campus in Koblenz. The House St. Josef harbored students from Ghana, India, Tajikistan, Moldova,
Finland, Nigeria, Iraq, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil and Finland. In total there were 18 students in House St.
Josef in Vallendar. The Summer Academy houses consisted of groups of students and staff who shared
an academic and social interest.
A view of Students @House St. Josef in Vallendar
Back to front, left to right;
Ankit Jain (India), Sarah Winkler (Germany), Sarfo Baffour (Ghana), Vangelis Promponas (Greece), Martin
Danso (Ghana), Mitchris Chapman (Ghana), Animesh (India), Mia (Finland), Ali Zuhair (Iraq), Seth Opare
(Ghana), Said (Tajikistan) and Frederico Fortuna (Brazil)
ACADEMICS
Academic life was the central component of the 2009 Summer Academy organized by the University of
Koblenz. While enjoying life in Germany students continually worked on individual assignments,
presentations, group projects as well as attending lectures of their various courses. Students were well
equipped with the resources located in the University’s library as well as I.C.T centre. The University
Library contained a host of books, magazines, newspapers which students used for their various
research works and assignment as well as learning. There were several computers connected to the
internet available at the I.C.T centre which enabled students to conduct their research.
What made the Summer Academy unique was that students shared ideas and learned from peers and
Professors who came from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds. As students learning experiences
were an eye opener. We have gained incredible experiences, knowledge and most importantly friends
from all over the continent.
Courses offered during the Summer Academy at University of Koblenz included International
Management, International Economics, E- Business Ventures, Networked Governance and Social Media
Management, Semantic Web, Customer Relationship Management, Strategic Network Management, E-
Government, Research Methods and Virtual Goods beyond Digital Rights Management . These were
taught by a group of dedicated Professors with the help of their enterprising teaching assistants.
The Academic Community of University of Koblenz
The University of Koblenz Campus
Participants inspecting Academic Facilities @ University of Koblenz
From left to right
Ali Zuhair (Iraq), Sanjeev (India), Frederico Fortuna (Brazil), Mitchris Chapman (Ghana) & Mario
Schaarchmidt
ACADEMIC SCHOLARS & PROJECT TEAM
E-Business Ventures
Harald F.O. von Kortzfleisch Arbeitsgruppe für Management von
Information, Innovation, Entrepreneurship und
Organisation (MI²EO)!
International Economics
PD. Dr. Gregor van der Beek
Institute for Management
Research group Economics
Strategic Network Management
Prof. Paula Swatman
Division of Information
Technology, Engineering and
the Environment
Networked Governance & Social Media Management
Assistant Professor Ines Mergel
Semantic Web
Prof. Dr. Steffen Staab
Institute for Computer Science
Research Group ISWEB
Customer Relationship Management
Prof. Dr. Petra Schubert
Institute for IS Research
Research Group Business Software
E-Government
Prof. Dr. Maria Wimmer
E-Government
Research Methods in IS
Prof. Dr. Klaus G. Troitzsch
Institute for IS Research
Research Group Modelling and Simulation
Digital Rights Management
Virtual Goods beyond Digital Rights Management
Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Grimm
Institute for IS Research
Research group IT-Risk-Management
Internationational Management
Prof. Dr. Gianfranco Walsh
Before joining the University of Koblenz-Landau in 2006 as a Professor of
Marketing and Electronic Retailing, Gianfranco Walsh was a Senior
Lecturer in Marketing with a British university. He is also a Visiting
Professor in the University of Strathclyde Business School's Department of
Marketing.
SUMMER ACADEMY 2009 ORGANISATION TEAM
OFFICERS
Prof. Harald Von Kortzfleisch
Mario Schaarschmidt
Sabine Hulstrunk
Students
Sarah winkler
Agnes Kwindzinski
Anne Reuschenback
Maria Solowejschik
Dennis Bol
Monique Vincon
Thomas Andernach
Stefan Olschenwski
SOCIAL PROGRAMS
During the Summer Academy organizers manage to organize a series of social programs for students.
After much academic works and brainstorming students also enjoyed the various social programs which
were organized through the hardworking Summer Academy Project Team. The social programs were
organized as follows;
June, 29th
2009
Department Get-together; At the first evening of the Summer Academy there was a nice get together
which was organized by the Summer Academy Team in conjunction with the Computer Science
Department of the University of Koblenz. It was heavily attended by academics, staff and students from
both Germany and International.
Students enjoying the get-together
July, 2nd
2009
Bar Hopping;
In order to have an enjoyable start to the Summer Academy students had an introduction to Night life in
Koblenz. So with the support of the Summer Academy Project team we embarked on a Bar hopping
exercise where students had the opportunity to visit interesting club’s in Koblenz such as “Bar Rock”,
“Agostea” and “Parler”. Students really enjoyed night life in Koblenz and witnessed what Koblenz had to
offer and where we can have fun apart from our studies in the University.
Students @ Bar Rock
From Left to Right;
Sanjeev (India), Olea Sikora (Moldova), Sarfo Baffour (Ghana), Thomas Adernach (Germany) & Agnes
Kwinzinski (Germany)
From Left to right Kofi Eric, Martin Danso ,Patrick Schober, Christiano, Emmanuel Chapman, Frederico,
Ankit, Mahmud, Sarfo, Manuel, Gernot & Ismail Hamdy
July 8th
2009
Social Trip;
On this trip students enjoyed the beauty of the Rhine Valley (UNESCO World Heritage Site). We also
enjoyed the beautiful castles, medieval townships and the famous Loreley -Rock, Rhine Valley. We also
made a trip by boat and a bus which gave us an impression of the culture of the people in the region as
well as enjoying the beauty of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers. It was indeed a fantastic experience.
Students on board a boat on the Rhine River
Students enjoying the Festung Ehrenbreitstein (fourth from left: Mitchris from Ghana)
From left to right Seth Opare, Sarfo Baffour, Ankit & Emmanuel Chapman @ Deuchtse Eck
July 11th
2009
Cologne Trip;
We also had the opportunity to visit other cities other than Koblenz during our stay in Germany. A trip
was organized by the Summer Academy Project team to Cologne. After some sightseeing and shopping
in the city of Cologne we also had the opportunity to witness a breath taking event in Cologne which
was known as “Cologne Lights Up”. During this event the whole city appeared in a great atmosphere of
light.
Students in Cologne
Cologne Getting ready to Light Up
Students @ Cologne Lights Up
Students enjoying themselves in Cologne
July, 13th
-15th
2009
Brussels Trip;
As part of the course “International Economics” students embarked on a visit to Belgium’s capital which
gave them detailed insight into the workings of the European Union. Besides the EU headquarters,
Brussels also host the NATO headquarters. The tour to Brussels also included visits of key EU institutions
such as the EU Parliament and other offices of the EU.
Students @ EU Headquarters in Brussels
July 24th
2009
Farewell Barbecue;
After four weeks of interesting studies, series of assignments and examinations as well as a lot of fun, it
was time to say goodbye. On this day the barbecue was attended by a most of the students who
attended the 2009 Summer Academy as well as academic staff and the hardworking Summer Academy
Project Team. Students shared their last experiences and said good bye to each other. It was really a sad
moment as we had to leave our friends and professors who had become an integral part of our
academic and social life.
Academic Staff, Project Team @Summer Academy Farewell Barbecue
Conclusion
In conclusion, we the students from Ghana who attended the 2009 Summer Academy at University of
Koblenz were really privileged to have been given this opportunity by DAAD and the University of
Koblenz to attend this fantastic academic program. It was indeed an opportunity of a life time which
cannot be expressed in words but through the experiences we enjoyed in the course of the program.
The friendship we have gained and the experiences we have gathered will no doubt prepare us for the
future so that we can contribute towards the development and well being of our societies.
We sincerely express our appreciation to the DAAD and the University of Koblenz for given us this
opportunity. Special thanks also go to the Summer Academy Project Team, the Staff and students of the
University of Koblenz for making the program a success. We hope to be back again in bigger medium.
The 2009 University of Koblenz Summer Academy Family