Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna

Website: https://scienzeaziendali.unibo.it/en

The Department of Management at the Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna is a recognized leader in both teaching and research within the field of Management. Their mission is to promote and disseminate managerial culture, while fostering innovation. The department is distinguished for its research in areas such as entrepreneurship, technological innovation, corporate finance, marketing, and strategy, with a particular emphasis on business strategy and innovation.

Joint Projects

• BE Aware Student [BEAST]
• OMNI-BE Aware Student [OMNI-BEAST]
• Adaptation and Evaluation D.Y.L. Methodology to Individualized Career Planning in
  Higher Education Institutions [DYLMIC]
• TEACHING TO BE AWARE STUDENTS [TEACH-BEASTS]

Contact Person Matteo Vignoli– m.vignoli@unibo.it

Matteo Vignoli

Associate Professor, Department of Management

Matteo Vignoli, PhD is “building the future” through research, education and business all centered on the application of Design Thinking experimenting with the world renowned Reggio Approach in higher education. Matteo teaches in several master programs and business schools, and works on innovation projects with global organizations. Associate Professor in Management Science and Engineering at the University of Bologna. Visiting Scholar at Stanford University and Ryerson University, Member of the Design Thinking ME310/SUGAR network. Founding member of the Challenge Based Innovation initiative @CERN. Responsible for Open Innovation @ Almacube, academic Director of the Food Innovation Program, Trustee of the Future Food Institute and global leader of the Future Food Ecosystem.

Polytechnic of Portalegre

Website: https://www.ipportalegre.pt/

The Polytechnic of Portalegre is a public higher education institution that integrates the School of Education and Social Sciences (ESECS-IPPortalegre), the School of Technology, Management and Design ( ESTGD-IPPortalegre ), the School of Health (ESS-IPPortalegre), in Portalegre, and the School of Biosciences of Elvas (ESBE-IPPortalegre). The Polytechnic of Portalegre also has two technology-based incubators (BioBIP and C.BIP), a Research and Innovation Office (GII), an Entrepreneurship and Employment Office (GEE), a Language and Culture Center (CLIC) and an International Relations Office (GRI). In order to be increasingly closer to the community and contribute to its sustainable development, it offers various services both through its laboratories and through partnerships and support for applied research.

Joint Projects

• BE Aware Student [BEAST]
• OMNI-BE Aware Student [OMNI-BEAST]
• Adaptation and Evaluation D.Y.L. Methodology to Individualized Career Planning in
  Higher Education Institutions [DYLMIC]
• TEACHING TO BE AWARE STUDENTS [TEACH-BEASTS]

Contact Person Maria José Varadinov – mjvaradinov@ipportalegre.pt

Maria José Varadinov

Director of the Foreign Relations Office for the Department of Enterprise Sciences

Maria José Varadinov completed a degree in Management at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real. She pursued a Graduate Diploma in Management and Agricultural Marketing Enterprises at the Agronomic Mediterranean Institute of Chania (Greece), where she also obtained a Master’s in Economic and Management Sciences. She earned the Diploma of Studios Avanzados in Business Administration from the University of Extremadura (Badajoz, Spain), and a PhD in Reverse Logistics. Her professional career began as a manager and lecturer at the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, where she teaches courses such as Operations and Logistics, Introduction to Management, Economics, Entrepreneurship. Maria José also served as Director of the Foreign Relations Office for the Department of Enterprise Sciences. She is an integrated member of CIEQV, the Research Centre for Quality of Life, a peer reviewer for several international scientific journals and a member of the EUCLIDES Network, a collaboration of European Engineering and Technology Universities. Additionally, she acts as Local Coordinator for several international projects.

ESADE Business School

Website: https://www.esade.edu/en

ESADE Business School, located in Barcelona, Spain, is one of the leading business schools in Europe and globally recognized for its high-quality education in business, law, and management. Founded in 1958, ESADE is renowned for its innovative approach to business education, emphasizing experiential learning, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility. The school offers a wide range of programs, including undergraduate, MBA, executive education, and doctoral courses. ESADE consistently ranks among the top business schools, with its MBA and Executive Education programs being particularly highly regarded. It also boasts a strong international network, with partnerships and collaborations with top universities and companies worldwide.

The Fusion Point unit at ESADE is responsible for implementing the Teach-BEAST project. This initiative focuses on the development of innovative teaching practices, aiming to align educational offerings with the rapidly evolving demands of the global labor market. Fusion Point leverages cutting-edge learning methodologies to enhance student engagement, foster entrepreneurship, and provide practical, real-world experiences, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the future business environment.

Joint Projects

• TEACHING TO BE AWARE STUDENTS [TEACH-BEASTS]

Contact Person Imma Rueda – imma.rueda@esade.edu

Imma Rueda

Experiential Learning,  Industry Collaboration Manager at Fusion Point

Imma Rueda is skilled in leading multicultural and diverse projects in global organizations, driving impact in agile and international ecosystems. With a deep focus on internal and external user experience, she brings a global business vision, integrating sustainability and social impact into innovation strategies.

Since 2011, she has been collaborating with Esade and currently leads industry relations for Fusion Lab Programs (Rambla of Innovation), connecting companies with real-world challenges to drive impactful learning experiences with multidisciplinary teams. Her work strengthens awareness in the industry about the novel approaches needed to tackle today’s societal challenges, driving impactful collaboration within the quadruple helix framework—connecting universities, businesses, government, and society. With expertise in Design Thinking and innovative learning methodologies, she supports dynamic thinking, co-creation and results with real-world impact.

Previously she was responsible for People Development, Training Management & Recruitment in different multinational and consultancy companies (Massimo Dutti, Valeo, Michael Page Group). Imma holds Bachelor in Business, a Master in Human Resources Management and a specialized certification in Employee Engagement and Digital Talent Management from University de Barcelona.