A trip to Europe funded through the Turing Scheme has given University of Northampton students an eye-opening experience designed to expand their understanding of project management and inspire their career ambitions.
The trip to Germany and the Netherlands took Project Management Masters students behind the scenes at organisations including BMW, Tata Steel and the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport.
Along the way, they explored manufacturing, logistics, sustainability and infrastructure projects while also taking responsibility for planning and managing the 14-day trip.
Among those taking part was Tahir Abdul Moiz, 24, who joined the University’s MSc Project Management programme after working as a robotics engineer in Kuwait.
Tahir said: “The trip has been the highlight of my MSc journey. It expanded my understanding of project management beyond the textbooks and introduced me to industries I’ve never been exposed to before and helped me discover new career possibilities.”
The visit to the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport stood out for Tahir, he said: “I was shocked by the scale of it. Before visiting, I had never really thought about industries such as shipping, logistics, and port management. Seeing how thousands of people work together to manage imports and exports across Europe was incredible.”
As an international student who could have chosen to study anywhere in the world, Tahir praised UON, its campus, the technology and the people who supported him during his studies, adding: “The teaching staff have been incredibly supportive and willing to give their time to help students succeed.
“Waterside Campus is a modern, sustainable campus and the technology makes studying straightforward. The digital platforms, library systems, everything, they even help us build a network of self-supporting students.”
Dr Saeed Nayeri, who leads the MSc Project Management course, said that although the trip was planned, delivered and supported by staff in the School of Professional Business Education (SPBE), the students took over once they were on the ground.
He said: “Students held real roles throughout with a lead for PR and documentation, a lead looking after the finances, and group leads reporting on status and planning ahead. They genuinely ran it.”
He added: “The moment I’m proudest of wasn’t on the itinerary, it was watching a group coming up with solutions for some challenges, making bonds and swapping a bike for a tandem so that nobody was left behind. They completed the whole loop together. That’s team dynamics you can’t set as an assignment.”
Find out more about studying for a career in Project Management on the UON website or browse the options for this year’s Clearing.
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s global program that funds international study and work placements for UK students, apprentices, and trainees. Find out more about international opportunities on the UON website.