Industry Immersion Program (IIP)

Equip graduates with industry ready skills.

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Duration: 2 Months
Weekly Study: 30 Hours
Student: 125 Students
Program Type: Online
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Industry Immersion Program (IIP)

Overview

Launched in 2017, the Industry Immersion Program, in collaboration with the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT), Berlin, and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ) through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), facilitates the transfer of expertise from a leading European business school to African graduates.

This initiative fosters business connections between African graduates and German companies operating in Africa through internships and post-graduate employment opportunities. By the end of 2020, the program expanded its partnerships to include Academics Without Borders (AWB) in Canada, enhancing its scaling prospects. Partnering with AWB, the program successfully collaborated with Strathmore University to run the program in 2021.

In 2022, the program operated in five African countries, benefiting 100 cohorts of students, marking a significant achievement in scaling efforts. Notable features of the program include a fully-funded 20-week immersion experience, providing qualified STEM graduates graduating students and alumni with practical, skills-based training to contribute to Africa's economic transformation.

Student Eligibility Criteria-Essential:

• A STEM graduate with Masters or PhD degree.
• Good Academic Performance
• Strong Work Ethic
• Good Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Adaptability and Learning Agility

Student Eligibility Criteria-Desirable:

• Good Teamwork and Collaboration abilities
• Passion and Motivation
• Good understanding of industry trends, challenges, and opportunities


Curriculum
Design Thinking

Everything in the world has been designed, from the clothes you wear to the breakfast you ate this morning. So what does design thinking mean? In this course, we will look for the answer to this question by doing design thinking. Over three days(one day in Week 1 and two days in Week 2), by applying design methods to a simple project, you will gain an appreciation of both the meaning of the term and its implications beyond the world of design itself. You won’t become a designer—but you will learn how design thinking can help deal with ambiguous, difficult problems in business, and in life.

Data and Decision

This course aims to enhance participants' confidence in utilizing basic quantitative methods, discussing foundational concepts essential for understanding subsequent topics like corporate risk, market research, and forecasting. The primary objective is to impart knowledge on the appropriateness and potential outcomes of various techniques, relegating computational tasks to computers. Emphasizing conceptual understanding and reasoning over technical intricacies, the course introduces students to quantitative decision-making modeling under uncertainty, crucial for making systematic, long-term, and optimized decisions where data uncertainties are inherent and must be considered.

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Data Analytics for Business

Data analytics involves utilizing statistical or machine learning methods to analyze and interpret data. This course, despite not involving programming or extensive data processing, focuses on elucidating why data analytics is essentially a leadership challenge. Participants will explore the breadth of data analytics, discern between effective and ineffective analytics, and gain conceptual insights into fundamental data analytic techniques.

Design Thinking

This will be a continuation of the Design Thinking course started in Week 1

Advanced Microsoft Excel for Data Analytics(Data Visualisation)

Over two dynamic days, Students will embark on a journey to master the art of creating insightful dashboards and harnessing the potential of Excel as a data analytics tool. This hands-on course is designed to equip students with advanced data analytics and visualization skills using Microsoft Excel. Through interactive sessions, real-world case studies, and practical exercises, students will develop the expertise to create dynamic dashboards, automate reporting processes, and integrate external data sources for real-time insights

Data Storytelling

This course focuses on transforming raw data and visualizations into compelling, audience-focused narratives. Participants will learn to structure data-driven stories, adapt their messaging for different stakeholders, and leverage tools like Think-cell to create visually impactful presentations

Machine Learning

This course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of data science principles and practical machine learning techniques using Python. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience in data science, this course will guide you through the essential concepts and advanced methodologies, preparing you for real-world data challenges.

Marketing and Sales

This course is designed to furnish you with a foundational understanding of essential aspects in marketing and sales management, with a focus on cultivating specific competencies. These competencies include the ability to recognize opportunities for value creation among all stakeholders, including customers, the organization itself, and intermediaries; applying marketing concepts comprehensively across various decision domains to generate value; and discerning opportunities to amplify value creation potential through the utilization of digital technologies.

Design Thinking Project Presentation

During this week, students will present their Design Thinking projects within their respective schools. These presentations serve as an opportunity for students to demonstrate their problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to apply design thinking principles to real-world challenges. The top-performing students from each school will then advance to the grand finale, where they will compete for the ultimate prize, recognizing their excellence and innovation.

Machine Learning Capstone Project

Students will also dedicate this week to working on their Machine Learning Capstone Projects. This project is designed to consolidate their understanding of machine learning concepts by applying them to a practical business or industry-related challenge. By the end of the week, students should be able to demonstrate their ability to build and refine machine learning models, interpret results, and present actionable insights based on their findings.

Customer Analytics

As marketing evolves from an art to a science, businesses must harness customer data effectively to make informed decisions. This course equips students with the analytical skills and tools needed to extract meaningful insights from large datasets, enabling data-driven marketing strategies. Students will learn how to transform common marketing challenges—such as segmentation, pricing, and promotions—into analytical questions, execute data analysis, and interpret results to drive actionable business decisions.

Machine Learning Capstone Project Presentation

In this final stage of the Machine Learning Capstone, students will present their completed projects to a panel of industry experts specializing in various fields relevant to their work. This presentation provides students with the opportunity to showcase their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and business acumen. Industry professionals will evaluate each project based on its innovation, practical application, and potential impact. This session not only allows students to receive valuable feedback from experts but also serves as a platform to connect with potential mentors and industry leaders, preparing them for real-world challenges in the field of machine learning.

People, Teams and Organization

This course equips participants with the fundamental concepts of behavior in organizations. It provides a framework for structuring and understanding participants' past and future experiences with the functioning of individuals, groups, and organizations in today’s business world. It offers concepts, theories, and evidence-based tools for analyzing their own and others’ cognitive, behavioral, and emotional responses to stimuli emerging from the complexity of organizational challenges, and selecting among a variety of possible trajectories of managerial action

Negotiation

This course is designed to equip young professionals with essential negotiation skills to confidently navigate job offers, salary discussions, workplace dynamics, and everyday interactions. Through practical exercises, case studies, and real-world applications, participants will learn to negotiate effectively, build confidence, and handle rejection with resilience.

Resume Writing

The primary goal of this course is to equip you with the skills needed to craft a compelling and professional resume that effectively highlights your strengths, experiences, and achievements. Throughout the course, you will learn how to tailor your resume to specific job applications, ensuring it stands out to recruiters and passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This course focuses on content, structure, and impact, helping you present your qualifications in a way that aligns with industry expectations. Emphasis will be placed on best practices, clarity, and customization rather than generic templates.

Interview Skills

This course is designed to help young professionals develop the confidence, skills, and strategies needed to excel in job interviews. Through a combination of theoretical insights, practical exercises, and mock interviews, participants will learn how to present themselves effectively, answer common and difficult interview questions, and leave a lasting impression on employers.

Personal Branding

In today’s competitive job market, building a personal brand is essential. Students will explore how to create and maintain a strong professional identity, leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn, and position themselves as valuable candidates in their respective industries.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. To apply, click the button below. For more information about the program, visit here. Applications will open on February 21, 2025, at 9:00 AM GMT and close on April 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM GMT.

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What will you achieve?

• Obtain essential managerial, organizational, and behavioral skills for employment.
• Experience a blend of academic and practical learning, facilitating the transition from academia to industry.
• Engage in a 12-week internship with industry partners to gain experience and apply academic knowledge.
• Participate in team-based projects with companies to enhance practical skills and industry understanding.

What will you achieve?