Transversal and Entrepreneurial Skills (Core Module)

Module overview

This core module is led by Prof. Georgios Koumoundouros and constitutes a compulsory component of the EMJM ACES-STAR programme. The Transversal and Entrepreneurial Skills Module is delivered across Semester 1 and Semester 2 and integrates taught and non-taught components provided by different consortium partners, in accordance with the joint programme structure.

The module is designed to enhance students’ transversal and entrepreneurial competencies, complementing disciplinary knowledge with practical skills relevant to employment in industry, research organizations and academia. A key component of the module is a 10-week professional placement (internship/traineeship), which provides structured work-based learning in an external host organisation.

The module carries a total of 15 ECTS, and successful completion of all components is mandatory for progression within the programme.

Module structure and delivery

Semester 1 – Taught Component (UHI-SAMS)

The Semester 1 component focuses on professional and transferable skills development and includes:

Transversal and entrepreneurial skills tutorials
Participation in networking and public engagement activities
A compulsory assessed Public Engagement Activity (Oban Winter Festival)

Indicative workload: 45 hours (including contact time, participation and assessment preparation)

Semester 2 – Taught and Non-Taught Components (University of Crete)

Online entrepreneurial skills courses delivered through the TIME MBE programme

A compulsory 10-week internship conducted between June and August

TIME MBE (taught component – Semester 2)

This part of module is led by Prof. Andreas Panagopoulos, UoC. To increase your transversal and entrepreneurial skills, the ACES-STAR MSc has come into agreement with the Technology Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship Master’s program in Business Economics (TIME MBE, www.timembe.eu) to offer one core (MBE5304) and two optional modules. However, only the core module will be considered for your Master’s degree. The two optional modules will appear on your transcript as additional activity.

TIME MBE: Use of Innovation & knowledge in R&D Intensive firms (L / on-line)

The aim of the course is to provide students with a clear understanding of the strategic use of innovation and knowledge in business, and the ability to develop and implementing innovation strategy at SMEs. In addition, the course aims to provide students with theory and tools in managing risk and reward in an innovation portfolio.

Having artificial intelligence as a benchmark technology, a series of 5 lectures will provide the student with an array of case studies and exercises that aim in developing the competencies needed for implementing innovation strategy projects as an SME. The focus of these lectures is in understanding the strategic implications of current and emerging technologies and managing knowledge and change.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Understand key concepts related to the strategic use of innovation and knowledge in business contexts.
Explain the role of innovation and knowledge management strategies in the competitiveness of SMEs.
Design and implement innovation strategy projects within R&D-intensive organisations.
Assess and manage risk and reward in innovation portfolios.
Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Assessment:

Examination: 100%

10-week internship (non-taught component – Semester 2)

The internship is an integral, non-taught component of the module and forms a key element of the EMJM ACES-STAR educational framework. Placements are designed to provide students with meaningful, supervised work-based learning experiences in industry, research laboratories or other relevant host organisations, complementing academic training with practical professional experience.

The placement has a duration of 10 weeks and is completed during Semester 2. Placements are unpaid, and neither the University of Crete nor the receiving organisation provides financial remuneration.

Each student is assigned a supervisor within the receiving organisation. The specific tasks, timetable and learning objectives of the placement are agreed between the student and the host supervisor, in alignment with the nature of the placement and the learning agreement.

Workload

Component	Activity	Approx. Hours	%
Semester 1 – UHI-SAMS	Tutorials, workshops, Public Engagement Activity	45	11%
Semester 2 – Taught (TIME MBE)	Lectures, independent study, exam	80	19%
Semester 2 – Internship (non-taught)	10-week supervised placement in industry/research	325	70%
	Total	450	100%

Assessment and progression

The Transversal and Entrepreneurial Skills Module is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis and consists of multiple components delivered by different programme partners.

The Semester 1 component (UHI-SAMS) includes the Public Engagement Activity, which is numerically assessed according to UHI-SAMS regulations (tutorials, conference attendance, assessed public engagement activity – 1.5 ECTS credits).
The Semester 2 taught component (TIME MBE online courses) requires successful completion and active participation (lectures + independent study + exam – 3.5 ECTS credits).
The internship is a non-taught component and must be completed satisfactorily (Industry/research placement, full 10-week workload – 10 ECTS credits).

Successful completion of all components is required in order to achieve a Pass in the module and to be awarded the corresponding ECTS credits. Failure to complete any component results in a Fail for the module.

Non-taught components, including the internship, do not offer resit opportunities. Failure to complete the placement satisfactorily results in failure of the module and termination from the programme, in accordance with EMJM ACES-STAR regulations.

Application and eligibility

To be eligible for the internship, students must have successfully completed attendance of all modules required for Semester 2 of the EMJM ACES-STAR programme.

Students are required to complete the Higher Education Learning Agreement for Traineeships and submit it to the ACES-STAR Secretariat at the University of Crete. Students may select their preferred host organization from the list of approved receiving organizations.

Insurance

Students holding Erasmus Mundus scholarships are fully insured through Dr. Walter GmbH, including coverage during the placement period.

Students funded through other schemes or self-funded students are responsible for ensuring that their insurance coverage is valid for the duration of the placement. The University of Crete assumes no responsibility for insurance arrangements outside the Erasmus Mundus scheme.

Roles and responsibilities

Students are expected to:

Complete all academic requirements prior to the placement
Submit placement applications in a timely manner
Comply with University of Crete and host organization rules and policies
Perform placement duties for the full duration and agreed schedule
Acknowledge that the placement does not constitute an employment agreement
Fulfil all academic requirements related to the placement

Academic coordinator

The Academic Coordinator is responsible for:

Selecting students in accordance with ACES-STAR regulations
Ensuring placements provide genuine training opportunities
Preventing misuse of placements as unpaid labor
Informing students of intellectual property rights related to placement outputs
Clarifying that financial obligations related to travel, accommodation and living costs are borne by the student

Receiving organisation

The receiving organisation is responsible for:

Appointing a qualified Internship Supervisor
Providing an approved placement agreement outlining objectives, terms and responsibilities
Offering appropriate training and supervision
Maintaining the intern status of the student
Notifying the Academic Coordinator of any early termination of the placement
Completing and submitting the traineeship certificate