ISTM Students Face Real Challenge, Solving Problems in Wind Power

The first year students in “RMIT_FCU Dual-Degree Bachelor’s Program in Business and Innovation” at International School of Technology and Management (ISTM), led by Professor Loewy, visited Enercon GmbH Taiwan Branch on June 21st and made a presentation to the Director and Managers of Enercon in this visit. Through their presentation about promoting wind power in Taiwan, the students described root problems, addressed central issues and suggested strategies and proposed solutions that the company had never recognized or even considered themselves. The company was very impressed by the performances of the freshmen after only the first year and said so directly to the proud students at the conclusion. They even asked Professor Loewy and the students to come back to work more together next semester.

• Enercon is the largest manufacturer of wind turbine in Germany. It has the highest market share in Germany and is ranked fourth in the world. ISTM Associate Professor Loewy had previously invited Mr. Bart Linssen, the Director of Enercon Taiwan Ltd., to Feng Chia University to speak about the development of renewable energies in Germany and in Taiwan. Professor Loewy took this opportunity to turn Mr. Linssen’s talk into a real-life project for students in his Innovation Project class using project-based learning approach. In this class, students are allowed freedom to think, to develop and to create. Professor Loewy led students to think through Enercon’s root problems, to come up with possible solutions. In the end, the whole class picked the best strategies and solutions.
• “It’s a rare opportunity to present to top managers in a foreign company,” said Peko, the student presenter. “I was nervous at first but got more comfortable and confident as I went along. I was happy that they responded well to our presentation.” Through research, the students found out that the problem that Enercon is having is the lack of understanding among the public about renewable energies and as a result the lack of support in wind power. The students came up with creative and viable solutions through brainstorming. The company liked the solutions proposed by the students. “The students came up with great ideas,” said Mr. Linssen, “for example, a practical solution to raise public support for wind power by discount in wind power cost. Another great idea is to publicizing about the importance of renewable energies through fun videos. We would like to welcome the students to come back and work on these ideas some more next semester.”
• “Renewable energies is an appealing topic,” said Ivy, one of the students. “It is closely related to our everyday life. Everyone is really engaged in this project.” The students, through working with a real company and solving real problems, gained innovative thinking and teamwork skills. In this project, they have achieved our school’s goal, “Real Company, Real Project, Real Design.”