Building bridges between continents through student mobility - Entrepreneurial learning between the global North and South

The SUNECO student exchange is designed to enhance cross-cultural learning, build entrepreneurial thinking and deepen collaboration between students from HVL and UCT. By working together in new environments and engaging directly in each other's innovation ecosystems, students gain broader perspectives, practical experience and a deeper understanding of how entrepreneurship can solve societal challenges in both the global north and the global south.

HVL students visit UCT

 Students from the University of Cape Town are participating in a two-week intensive stay at HVL in Bergen, where they will take the course INN524 – Innovation in interdisciplinary student teams. During the stay, the students work closely with Norwegian master's students and industry partners on real innovation challenges related to sustainability, aquaculture and new technologies. Each student team works on one of five case studies, such as:

  • Global technology solutions for aquaculture
  • Analysis of the seaweed and kelp value chain
  • User needs for seaweed and kelp-based products
  • Cost reduction strategies for European seaweed and kelp producers
  • Opportunities for international collaboration and mechanization in South Korea

Through lectures, group work, company visits and social activities, the students gain insight into the Norwegian innovation ecosystem and reflect on differences and similarities between innovation practices in the global North and South. The exchange provides valuable cross-cultural learning, collaboration skills, and practical experience with applied innovation processes.

Short video made by HVL students after their stay in South Africa.

HVL students 2025:

  • Amalie Wikheim – Master in Innovation and Management
  • Henrik Ramstad – Master in Innovation and Management
  • Leile Christopher Haugen – Master in Responsible Innovation and Entrepreneurship

UCT students visit HVL (Bergen)

Master's students from HVL spend two intensive weeks at the University of Cape Town, where they participate in the Genesis program and collaborate with UCT students in interdisciplinary venture teams. During the stay, HVL students gain insight into how entrepreneurship is taught and practiced in a different cultural and socio-economic context, and they experience how South African students work creatively and resourcefully to solve local challenges.
 
The exchange provides students with new methods, perspectives and innovation practices, while giving them the opportunity to contribute their own knowledge and reflections from the Norwegian context. In addition to academic activities, students participate in workshops, team meetings, cultural experiences and social events, which gives them a deeper understanding of South African society and the diversity of its innovation ecosystem.
 
The stay strengthens their intercultural competence, collaboration skills and entrepreneurial thinking — and provides valuable reflections on how innovation varies between the global North and South.