International
After two years of the pandemic, it was finally easier for the students to study abroad again. BI received a record-high number of applications to travel on exchange in 2022.
Student exchange and mobility
The number of applications to travel on exchange increased by 30 % compared to before the pandemic. This was a clear signal from the students that they wanted to travel again and have an exchange semester. Unfortunately, many withdrew from allocated places in favour of internships in companies. This is justified by challenges related to travel restrictions, a complex and expensive housing situation and increased living costs.
In 2022, BI had 875 students who travelled abroad and 764 students who came from abroad to Norway. BI received far more incoming students during the pandemic than we sent out. Still, by the end of 2022, we had a better balance between outgoing and incoming students.
We see higher mobility between European countries and less with outside countries. This is a controlled strategy from the Norwegian authorities where higher mobility within Europe is desired. Closed borders, COVID-19 restrictions, foreign policy conditions and other factors have also affected the possibility and interest in travelling outside Europe.
Bachelor's programme in International Management
The students enrolled in the bachelor's programme in International Management and taking their third year of study abroad at one of our partner schools have had difficulties travelling abroad recently due to the pandemic. However, since the spring semester of 2021, it has again been possible for these students to stay abroad, and 273 students have been abroad since spring 2021. There have been various challenges related to COVID-19, shutdowns and digital teaching for the cohort that travelled in the spring of 2021 and autumn of 2022. Still, there have been no similar challenges for the cohort that left in the autumn of 2022, and the students are satisfied.
International summer school
In 2022, BI invested in a summer school focusing on master's students. BI organised "the Global Innovation Challenge" with the Munch Museum. Thirty-five students from twelve nations took part here. All the students represented so-called "Triple Crown" schools. The students were challenged to develop solutions for an ongoing project that the Munch Museum could use in further work.
The traditional BI summer school delivered two bachelor's courses to international and BI students but had fewer participants than before the pandemic. As a result, BI has decided not to organise the summer school in 2023 and instead develop a new concept with an attractive course offer for the summer of 2024.
Partner schools
During the pandemic, BI has not significantly changed the partner portfolio. However, several adjustments have been made with the new Erasmus charter from 2021-2027. All Erasmus agreements are in the process of being entirely digitally renewed.
To meet all requirements in the Erasmus charter, BI has worked over the past two years to digitise and automate most work processes. The aim is to process more exchange students and make the processes more seamless and digital.
BI International Case Competition
The pandemic led to BI's traditional international case competition in 2022 being held digitally.
This year's main themes were international marketing and expansion, sustainability and agile organisations. Twelve teams from recognised international business schools participated. BI's strategic partners, Tine and Gjensidige delivered the cases. The first case had two winners, the National University of Singapore and the FEP University of Porto. The University of New South Wales, Australia, won the second case.
BI's activity in China
Our activity in China has been strongly affected by the strict pandemic restrictions introduced by the Chinese authorities. To make up for the loss of travel opportunities, BI launched an offer with courses for students and alums (non-credit-bearing), which was very well received.
Despite the shutdown in Shanghai, our BI-Fudan MBA programme in the city has been completed satisfactorily. By delivering teaching digitally from Oslo, BI has ensured that the MBA students have graduated as planned.
BI International Advisory Board
From 2020 to 2022, the BI International Advisory Board met virtually on four occasions to discuss key strategic issues relevant to BI's development. The council has an advisory function to BI's management and board.
The council consists of business leaders with extensive experience from major international businesses, renowned academics from international educational institutions, and our alum network members. The aim is to strengthen BI internationally by having an independent and external body assess BI's role from the outside regarding our role in society, our strategic priorities and their implementation.